Thread: D-10 Big fish with eggs Question!!

We have a fairly nice sized reservoir on our farm. We drain it every 8-10 years to replace irrigation pipes. We never restock it. After the first year, we catch the crap outa the crappie, but they are all small. After the 2nd year catch alot of slabs. On 3rd and 4th year best fishing anyone has ever saw. Huge crappie and alot of em, several 3+ pounders per year. For the longest time we were being conservative and keeping very few of the fish. After 4th year fishing would start on a downslide and be just terrible by the 6th. So.... we started keeping everyfish we would catch. We noticed after doing that, that the fishing stayed better until the 6th year or so before starting the down slide. By yr 8-10 we would drain dry and replace pipes. And the cycle starts over again. Reservoir is 48 acres. Long story short, crappie can over populate pretty easily unless kept in check. We found out the more we took advantage of what god has given us, the more he gave. I understand not every lake is not the same as my reservoir, but it has been neat to be able to look at what is happening and being able to see a "trend" after each cycle. My opinion, nature will take care of itself if we take advantage of it. And with the help of wildlife geniuses like D10 can take what nature has to offer and improve it. I like minimum length rules, but definitely believe in keeping crappie. It benefits them in the grand scheme.

Originally Posted by LowePro

wildlife geniuses like D-10.

I am no genius. I can assure you of that! LOL! But thanks for the vote of confidence. Very cool story about your pond. It is a perfect example of the cyclical nature of crappie. This is also a good demonstration of a management drawdown working like it should. Thanks for your input.

In 2010 Nimrod was pulled down and fishing was much better starting the next year. There was a plan to draw down 5' below low pool every 5 years.. Hope they keep this plan. Bass fishermen hated it but all fish seemed to improve after the drawdown. Here the dry lake bottom grows swamp grass releasing nutrients bound up in the mud and gives food chain a boost. At the same time the lower water allows predators and fishermen thin out the over populated crappie leaving room for the rest to grow. Is there anything you want to add Matt ?

You pretty much summed it up. Good job.

Really enjoyed reading your posts D10. Always trying to learn more about these fish. I believe in your harvest theory. One of our central Illinois lakes is thriving due to good harvest practices being kept in check with size/creel limits. What can you tell me about crappie carrying eggs into the winter months? It seems odd to me that fish have eggs sacks in 35 degree water. Thanks for sharing.

Originally Posted by healthnspector

Really enjoyed reading your posts D10. Always trying to learn more about these fish. I believe in your harvest theory. One of our central Illinois lakes is thriving due to good harvest practices being kept in check with size/creel limits. What can you tell me about crappie carrying eggs into the winter months? It seems odd to me that fish have eggs sacks in 35 degree water. Thanks for sharing.

I'll answer that and maybe Matt can chime in. Crappie start forming next springs eggs in fall for the coming spring. They feed up heavy over fall/winter ,form eggs and get bulked up for the stresses of spawning next spring. I had a fish farmer tell me they spawned again in the fall but i never was aware if it ever happened here. Water temps rule when Crappie spawn each spring. I saw some that failed to completely spawn out this year with wild swings in water levels and temps. They reabsorb the ones not spawned out. What did I leave out Matt ?

Sounds good to me. Crappie definitely do not spawn in the Fall in Arkansas. I am not aware of them spawning in the Fall any where. We have been gill netting Hybrids on Greers Ferry the last 2 weeks and hybrids and white bass also have very developed reproductive organs. Especially the males. Almost half of their body cavities are filled with almost fully developed sperm sacks.

Great read