Thread: Crappie Spawn Info

Originally Posted by rzrbakhunter

Good looking stuff D10! Do you mind to explain what the columns mean on the second sheet? Only thing I see is wish more of these studies were published so everyone can see the great work our biologist do!

I totally agree. this gives you factual information based on realities vs opinions from those with zero professional training in the field.

Originally Posted by rzrbakhunter

Good looking stuff D10! Do you mind to explain what the columns mean on the second sheet? Only thing I see is wish more of these studies were published so everyone can see the great work our biologist do!

Sure thing. That table is a summary of the current crappie assessment that we perform on lakes. This method of evaluation will probably be changing in the years to come due to improved data analysis techniques. I accidentally attached the wrong table the first time but since you asked, here is what it is:

-Density, the number of crappie captured per trapnet, excluding young-of-year (age-0.5) crappie
-Growth Rate, the mean length of crappie at Age-2.5
-Age Structure, the % of Age-3.5 and older crappie, excluding young-of year
-Size Structure, the % of crappie in a sample that is greater than 254-mm (10-in), excluding young-of-year
Recruitment, the number of Age-0.5 crappie per trapnet
-Assessment Score, the assessment score is a weighted value that is assigned to each of the above metrics and totaled up.

Most of these metrics are a good indicator of a good crappie population, except for recruitment. The problem with this indices is that the gear does not sample Age-0.5 in proportion to what is in the lake. They are, for the most part, too small for the gear. Another issue that we have, that I have pointed out before, is that this type of sampling gear doesn't work well in all lakes. They work very well in the central Arkansas Game and Fish lakes. They are terrible in steep shored/large reservoirs. A new type of sample gear is in the process of being evaluated to take the trapnets place. So, just because some lakes have bad Assessment Scores, keep in mind that this may be due to the bathymetry of the lake.

thanks for the info on what the columns mean. that is beneficial.

Originally Posted by ibmack

thanks for the info on what the columns mean. that is beneficial.

I have posted that data some time ago with the explinations. Do a search on the Arkansas forum for "crappie data". I bet it pulls up several things that I have posted in years past about crappie data. Also data is public information and we gladly share it. The more the angler knows and understands, the easier our job is. Feel free to ask me anytime about crappie data. I'll tell you what I know.

Thank you Matt. You are a benefit to this site and to Arkansas fishermen. Getting people that know what is really going on to be a part of a public forum and share their knowledge is rare. I appreciate your time and effort to share.

Originally Posted by slackline

Thank you Matt. You are a benefit to this site and to Arkansas fishermen. Getting people that know what is really going on to be a part of a public forum and share their knowledge is rare. I appreciate your time and effort to share.

Thank you sir!

Hey Matt, I've often thought, but never mentioned before, about how my perspective of the AGFC has changed immensely for the positive since I've been on c.com and have had the opportunity to read your posts regarding the work the Commission is doing for our fisheries. Reading about the survey's and cover placement in lakes across the state has been eye opening to me. So I hope they understand if and when you are on c.com during daytime business hours we'll say (I know your job isn't necessarily 8-5) as well as your contributions to the site while your on your own time reflects very positively for the Commission. So if they ever give you any grief about it you can tell them to call me. It probably wouldn't help any but I'll give them my $.02 worth anyway. Your contribution to this site has been better than any publication they've ever issued. So thanks again for everything.

Originally Posted by Mac Daddy

Hey Matt, I've often thought, but never mentioned before, about how my perspective of the AGFC has changed immensely for the positive since I've been on c.com and have had the opportunity to read your posts regarding the work the Commission is doing for our fisheries. Reading about the survey's and cover placement in lakes across the state has been eye opening to me. So I hope they understand if and when you are on c.com during daytime business hours we'll say (I know your job isn't necessarily 8-5) as well as your contributions to the site while your on your own time reflects very positively for the Commission. So if they ever give you any grief about it you can tell them to call me. It probably wouldn't help any but I'll give them my $.02 worth anyway. Your contribution to this site has been better than any publication they've ever issued. So thanks again for everything.

Thank you very much for the kind words Bobby. I don't take a real lunch break at work, so I don't think twice about checking the forum and answering questions when needed. If I'm having a positive impact on the public's perception of AGFC, that makes me happy (and probably my bosses happy). My intent is to disciminate information to the public and hopefully represent the AGFC well. Being able to talk about fishing with like minded folks is a huge bonus for me. I never thought that I would have met so many great people on this forum that I now consider friends. Heck, I even met my best fishing buddy through cc.com (Cmj). I know full and well about how a lot of people think negatively about AGFC. It took a lot of work to prove myself to my father-in-law and his fishing buddies (years of work!). Now he is one of my greatest allies in squashing misinformation and getting the truth out. To me this is all just second nature because I absolutely love my job. I couldn't see myself doing anything else. It will be very hard to give it up one of these years when my body won't let me do it any more. Driving a desk will be a very tough adjustment one of these days. Fisheries is just simply my life (personally and professionally). Thank you again!