Thread: Crappie Biology at Kentucky and Barkley lakes

Just a great read! For someone that has no clue about the biology piece of it, this makes since to me. I've been in the area about 8 years now and have always wondered why this year was better then the last, or this year was not as good as the last or if I'm catching lots of fish this year, what year class are they? And if they're all the same class fish, why did they have such a good spawn that year?.
Everything you say makes sense. But I see that you don't state anything about weather conditions in your report. You do mention the lake not reaching summer pool, but does Nicer weather means more fishing pressure? Bad weather is less fishing pressure? Does weather have any effect on the spawn? Or does it boil down to water level?
Thank you for your time!

Originally Posted by DEEPCOVER

Just a great read! For someone that has no clue about the biology piece of it, this makes since to me. I've been in the area about 8 years now and have always wondered why this year was better then the last, or this year was not as good as the last or if I'm catching lots of fish this year, what year class are they? And if they're all the same class fish, why did they have such a good spawn that year?.
Everything you say makes sense. But I see that you don't state anything about weather conditions in your report. You do mention the lake not reaching summer pool, but does Nicer weather means more fishing pressure? Bad weather is less fishing pressure? Does weather have any effect on the spawn? Or does it boil down to water level?
Thank you for your time!

Water levels coinsiding with weather and the appropriate water temperature for spawning.

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Thanks Paul for the information

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Slabmaster, Great post of information. Never seen such detail of the reasons for sizes and growth. I personally agree with a pole limit. The crappie world in general would have a fit with the reduction, with all the spider-rigging fisherman and the related sales of the various poles and fixtures to do this, but the multiple pole usage just allows a bigger 'boat' size limit when fishing, especially during a tournament event. Example: Size limit is 9", then if you are catching the crap out of crappie and you are an ethical fisherman using up to 10 poles,, then you just throw back all the 9-10" fish(or cull when a larger fish is caught) and keep the 10.25"-15" crappie for your limit. I hate to admit this, but this is what we did at Okeechobee recently(Fished about 10 poles, the limit was 10", but only kept fish 11" or bigger and limited in 3hours). The fisherman using 1-3 poles will not be able to catch the number of fish to 'cull" in the same time period, but maybe they could, but I don't think so. Also, the multiple limits per day is problem. I've witnessed this at Santee, Weiss, and Okeechobee. Unethical fisherman go out in the morning, bring in their limit, clean them, then go out in the afternoon and catch another limit. Don't know what can be done about this, but it is a problem and is a hard problem to fix and catch these people and they know this. I've thought about reporting these people, but, as they know, it's hard to prove unless the DNR officer checks them both times during the day.

Later, Jim

If there's already a catch limit in place, please explain to me how a pole limit would be beneficial. Isn't a pole limit overkill?

Originally Posted by perchjerker108

Slabmaster, Great post of information. Never seen such detail of the reasons for sizes and growth. I personally agree with a pole limit. The crappie world in general would have a fit with the reduction, with all the spider-rigging fisherman and the related sales of the various poles and fixtures to do this, but the multiple pole usage just allows a bigger 'boat' size limit when fishing, especially during a tournament event. Example: Size limit is 9", then if you are catching the crap out of crappie and you are an ethical fisherman using up to 10 poles,, then you just throw back all the 9-10" fish(or cull when a larger fish is caught) and keep the 10.25"-15" crappie for your limit. I hate to admit this, but this is what we did at Okeechobee recently(Fished about 10 poles, the limit was 10", but only kept fish 11" or bigger and limited in 3hours). The fisherman using 1-3 poles will not be able to catch the number of fish to 'cull" in the same time period, but maybe they could, but I don't think so. Also, the multiple limits per day is problem. I've witnessed this at Santee, Weiss, and Okeechobee. Unethical fisherman go out in the morning, bring in their limit, clean them, then go out in the afternoon and catch another limit. Don't know what can be done about this, but it is a problem and is a hard problem to fix and catch these people and they know this. I've thought about reporting these people, but, as they know, it's hard to prove unless the DNR officer checks them both times during the day.

Later, Jim

Again, why should the dishonest control what the DNR does to protect the resource? Also, a limit is a limit and as long as it's obtained legally, who cares what method. Presence on the water and the ramps will help tremendously. I have heard of people calling others to warn them about wardens being somewhere. Even friends know friends are breaking the law!
We need officers in a bad way. We as sportsman need to be honest and respectful of the resource and the fishery we have. And, we would need some very tenacious weather, like multi year droughts, affecting spawns to begin to out fish the resource.

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redearhoosier, I guess you are right. Yes, you can put out 25 limb lines or 50 jug lines or 20 poles and call it fishing, but something about this is not what I call fishing. It' more like trot line fishing for meat. I think if everyone had the same rules for fishing. like 3 poles per person, the catch ratio per person would be a little more equal. Currently, probably 15% of the people catch 90% of the limits in the state.

Perch,

Why should the current regulations be changed to match your definition of "fishing"?

What does the catch ratio per person have to do with anything??

The only thing that you are almost correct on it the ole add age of:
90% of the fish are caught by 10% of the fisherman.
If you can't run with the big dogs, then stay on the porch with your 3 poles. I'm going fishing the way I want to and abide by the law in doing so.





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