If You could have would you ?

[BAFishBarn]

I live and fish in NM. The crappie limit is 20 per day.
I have fished NM since the late 70's in that time I have probably only caught a hundred or so crappie. And half of those have been caught is the last ew years. Would I keep a limit. No, But I did keep 10 once last year. Cleaned and eaten with friends the day after.

There is a little mountain lake called Bear Canyon Reservoir. The fish there are small (over populated) it is on the mimbres river and the river authority do not want bass released into the lake because of a minnow native to the river. There are some bass in the lake though. The lake is also stocked with put and take trout and catfish. Of course none of them are ever in the lake long enough to prey on the crappie. Last ti,e I talked to game and fish they wanted people to take and keep all crappie caught, But, it takes a lot of cleaning to get a mess at 4 to 6 inch crappie. So the crappie are still there and still small.

That sounds like the odds I like!! Tons of them, but small. Honestly in my life I've caught maybe 15 crappie, but I would keep and eat any and all I catch, because I dont catch many. But if you ever find the secret to catching them I'll fish for 48 hours straight cleaning that body of water out!

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[Crestliner08]

Walt & I have caught a ton of crappie over the last several decades. We've yet to keep one. Strictly catch & release with us. Besides, after a long day of fishing, we're too old to be spending more time cleaning and preparing fish. I just want to crash and sip some suds. And it's just easier to buy fish at the local market fresh when wanted.

[catchNgrease]

I have thrown back more crappie in the last 4 years since I've been on this site than I have caught in my previous 43 years combined. I eat fresh fish and only in the fall and winter once spawn starts I go to BG. I rarely throw any of those back.

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[catchNgrease]

Talking to a biologist once he said keep the big ones they've already laid thousands of eggs are probably close to the end of their life cycle.

I you keep them they ARE at the end of their life cycle.jk

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[Ketchn]

no matter what an angler does according to the fisheries folks it wont effect the population is what I am told . so in the end its about do you want to clean em or not most of the time is my thoughts .
thanks again yawl for the input and conversation .

[etexbasser]

I keep enough in the freezer for when the kids come home. The rest I eat fresh, keep 5 or 6, clean them and eat. Can’t beat that. Most days I don’t keep anything, just enjoy the day.


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[Marvin]

I you keep them they ARE at the end of their life cycle.jk

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DKO, asked the question, just repeating what I was told.

[Marvin]

I keep a few to eat and some in the freezer. Don't usually keep very many at one time. Cleaning the fish never influences whether I keep them or not, I don't mind that part at all.