Releasing Spawning Female Crappie

[Crappie Reaper]

If you stop and think about it, and you keep crappie to eat or give away, it shouldn't matter when they are harvested whether it be spawn or not. You're still taking them out of the loop regardless of what time of year it is. So what difference does it make?

[CrappiePappy]

This is very interesting and it seems to be a subjective thing. I thought maybe there was a couple universal rules about how to treat crappie, but that idea doesn't seem to hold up. I had been under the impression (from biologists) that I should release bigger crappie to help perpetuate the best genes, especially during the spawn.

I don't claim to be knowledgeable in this department ... but, I find it hard to believe that genetics rule in this case, at least not universally, anyway. I mean, consider how long it takes a Crappie to mature way down South vs way up North. Did the Crappie get "big" because of genetics, or because of a longer warm water growing season & abundant foodsource ?? (rhetorical question)

Did a big 'ol Southern sow Crappie get big simply because of genetics ?? I think not, simply because of the fact that a female Crappie deposits eggs in many different nests ... not just one. They don't all choose the biggest/baddest male on the block to be their babydaddy ... they spread their clutch out amongst several "suitable" males. ("suitable" being relative to whatever males are in the immediate area)

If genetics were the major ruling factor, you would think by now that some lake, somewhere, would be turning out 5lb Crappie as a matter of "normalcy" ... and that just ain't happening.

IMHO ... given all the variables ... and even giving the biologists credence ... if genetics played a significant role, most every lake would have a slot limit. They don't ... so one has to take into account what "limit" IS placed on ones catch, and abide by it.

... cp

[Bill_in_SC]

I like to believe that the folks responsible for setting limits and seasons (if there are any closed seasons anywhere) are doing their homework and are more qualified than me to make those decisions. When you see limits on crappie and panfish set fairly high relative to other game fish it tells me that the population is not in any jeopardy. But I don't take any fish from the water unless I intend to eat them so if I already have plenty of fish in the freezer then I will release everything I catch.

[Donald@CrappieLogic]

Take what you need and leave the rest

[justinp61]

I release anything over #1 1/2 no matter what time of the year it is. IMO 10-11" fish are the best to eat.

[feelay]

I release anything over #1 1/2 no matter what time of the year it is. IMO 10-11" fish are the best to eat.

You would starve in Ms!

[Hillbilly910]

Did a big 'ol Southern sow Crappie get big simply because of genetics ?? I think not, simply because of the fact that a female Crappie deposits eggs in many different nests ... not just one. They don't all choose the biggest/baddest male on the block to be their babydaddy ... they spread their clutch out amongst several "suitable" males. ("suitable" being relative to whatever males are in the immediate area)



... cp

you make that sound so dirty...LOL

I try to have my fish harvesting done a month before spawn, preferably during ice season. Fish out of the colder water simply eat better. And i dont know scientificly if the hormones in spawning fish affect the taste, but i tend to think it does(call me crazy).
I will admit to keeping a couple big females now and again for the eggs though.

[kingkrappie]

Take what you need. Biologists I've talked to say if you want to practice catch and release, it's the males that should go back. The males make the beds, fertilize the eggs and then protect the beds. .

That's exactly right, and if you're going to release fish, throw back the smaller ones, the biggest fish are in their last year, it would be like passing on a mature buck and killing a spike. The exception would be catching a big male on the bed late spawn, he's protecting eggs and probably the last line of defense. Personally I keep them all, it's a renewable resource down here.

[Eager Beaver]

It would depend on the lake and what the size limits are on the particular lake you are fishing. I keep all big fish on the lake that I fish. A big fish is close to the end of its life cycle and may pass away right after the spawn. Spawn is very hard on fish and takes a lot out of them. This is in the northern lake I am speaking of. The lake I fish on have a lot of big Crappie in it and when I first started fishing it I was releasing the bigger fish and keeping the smaller ones. I was checked and asked why I didn't have any bigger fish. I told him I released the bigger ones and was told to keep the bigger ones and release the small ones. There are quite a few bigger Crappie in this lake and they want to keep a balance on the lake.
If I had enough fish in the freezer I wouldn't be fishing for any fish during their spawn. I try to make sure that no one in my boat hurts a fish if it is being released. If you want to take a picture of the fish and release it than have your camera ready so the fish isn't kept out of the water longer than necessary. If I am going to release a fish when I pull the fish out of the water I hold my breath while the fish is out of the water so you get an idea how the fish is handling being out of the water. I hate to see anyone slam a fish back in the lake when releasing it. I give them a little flip so they go back in head first so the water rushes over there gills. EB

[Crappie Reaper]

I hold my breath while the fish is out of the water so you get an idea how the fish is handling being out of the water. EB