Crappie management

[matt1971]

Looking for your opinions!
I live/fish on a small lake and want to know your thoughts on releasing caught crappie in the hopes of them getting larger. I caught hundreds of 9”-10” crappie this year & released 90% in the hopes of them being 11”+ next year. Also I released every 14”+ fish in the hopes of catching a 2lbs +!!!! I caught several 15” that maxed the scale at 1.89lbs. Any thoughts/advice appreciated!

[HuskerSE]

I would start keeping most fish under 11 or 12 inches if your goal is to get large crappie

Sent from my SM-G991U using Crappie.com Fishing mobile app

[Ketchn]

Eat the masses , whatever size dominates the pond has to go , food is the factor and if there are hundreds of a certain size , that is too many for the food supply.

[Hanr3]

Eat the masses , whatever size dominates the pond has to go , food is the factor and if there are hundreds of a certain size , that is too many for the food supply.

Exactly. A lake con only support so many fish. If the fish outnumber the available food source, the fish don't get bigger. You'll hit an average size. If that size is small, you have to thin the heard. Remember, Crappie are prolific breeders.

[Ketchn]

One other popular option is the introduction of a solid number of big apex predator fish .
A good number of blue cats and or some other big ole fish eaters will also help thin the herd .