Is Tillery a Sleeper Crappie Lake?

**poppop** · 04-08-2009, 03:54 PM

I just read an interesting article regarding High Rock, Tuckertown, Badin, Blewett Falls and Lake Tillery by Brian McRae, who is the Piedmont Fisheries Research Coordinators for the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission Division of Inland Fisheries. Mr. McRae manages the research and survey program for all freshwater species in the region. To paraphrase Mr. McRae the last survey for High Rock showed good densities of crappie and great body condition. The survey showed a good number of 2-year old fish over the 8-inch mark and their latest trap net results showed 10% of the crappie over 10 inches. He said High Rock is a good lake now and one to watch in the near future. He said Tuckertown and Badin have recovered to full pond from the droughts of 2005 and 2007 and will allow crappie to reach their normal shoreline spawning grounds. Both lakes have good density of basically 50-50 black and white crappie and the 8 inch minimum size limit and 20 fish creel limit will help these lakes grown bigger fish in the future. Blewett Falls continue to have consistent crappie population and their recent survey showed 70% of the fish sampled would be over the 8 inch limit and receives very little fishing pressure.
I was surprised that McRae ranked Tillery second behind Jordan Lake and in front of the 3rd place lake Falls of Neuse, after taking Buggs Island out of the picture since it is jointly managed by Virginia. McRae said Lake Tillery is a sleeper crappie lake ranking second on his list of trophy lakes for the size of crappie. He compares Tillery’s crappie growth rate to Jordan and his recent trap net surveys shows 95 percent of the (predominantly) black crappie was over 9 inches and a whopping 75% were over 10 inches. He further said, the fishery at Tillery is on the rise with good lengths, but these are fat fish with great body weights. That’s 60% higher rate of 10 inch fish than High Rock during the last net survey….very impressive. McRae went on to say the biggest concerns for crappie fishing is the infiltration of non-native species, specifally white perch and blueback herring, both of which can severly affect established crappie fish habitats.

**screwdriver** · 04-08-2009, 04:42 PM

I think your wasting time fishing Tillely over High rock or tuckertown, badin. My son has a place on Tilley so I get roped into fishing Tillery instead of my favorite High Rock-----And don't buy any minnows around Tillery the Indians around the convience stores around there are counters and expensive.

**sea-sons** · 04-08-2009, 07:10 PM

Poppop, my buddy has a place at Tillery and he said the other night he went down to his dock and caught 19 crappie in about 3 hours. He said the smallest one was 12 1/2 inches long.... I guess I might better go down and visit him.

**poppop** · 04-08-2009, 08:07 PM

let me know how you do sea-sons...I used to fish there many years ago with my uncle who is a green carper...everytime I started catching crappie...he was ready to move...

**SIMPLEMAN** · 04-08-2009, 10:15 PM

it would be nice to know if thats the case. high rock and ttown are getting fished to death. i've seen more crappie fishermen in both lakes this year and we haven't even had the spawn yet. be nice to have another "go to".

**Feel-N-Crappie** · 04-09-2009, 08:10 AM

Shhhhhhhhhh, yall shouldn't be spreading all these ruomors about Tillery being a great Crappie fishery.
Honestly, This is my second year fishing Tillery. I haven't quite figured out trolling for them just yet. It seems to be hit or miss, more miss than anything.
As for the spawn, its pretty good. I catch bigger fish on average than any other lake in the area with the exception being Badin. So far this year I haven't had the numbers, but the quality is still there. Shooting docks is an effective method throughout the summer.
Part of the problem I feel is the depths on Tillery and Badin. The fish can go much deeper than most of our other lakes. I realize there's a comfort zone for all fish. But pulling a crappie from 40 feet deep is something I'm not used to.
I hope to make it out this weekend, looks like the weather is going to cooperate.

**SIMPLEMAN** · 04-09-2009, 08:57 AM

oh don't worry feel-n-crappie. if i find this to be the case, i will not spill the beans. i've found out a lot more people than you realize check this site out. i give a general report more than a detailed report now days. i believe in futhering the sport and all but some of these folks will meet you at the dock.

**Crap-a-lot** · 04-09-2009, 01:00 PM

Feel-n-Crappie I have about the same opinion as you, this is also my second year of really targeting crappie on Tillery. Like you said it is hit or miss but it seems like when I do hit it they are very good quality fish, but I’m not also surprised if I put in on a day and not even get a nibble. I just haven’t nailed down how to consistently catch them there. Maybe another year or two. You going to be there tomorrow or Saturday?

**slop dog** · 04-09-2009, 01:36 PM

i have crappie fished tillery and blewitt fall over 20 years the last 8 of them have been trolling, longlinning or bottom bouncing with jigs of all kinds and the hit and miss in my opinion is most of the time the fish have just moved around the corner or drop due to the power plants moving water, lots of boat traffic in the summer seems to shut them down or scatter them too.

**Feel-N-Crappie** · 04-10-2009, 04:51 PM

I was hoping to make it out this afternoon but the Thunderstorms just won't go away. I am hoping to make it out in the AM. As long as I don't stay to late at Cripple Creek this evening I'll be there. :D

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