Thread: Lake Conway Crappie Survey

Matt, after reading your report, I think that a 9" length limit would be bad for Conway. I am not in favor of decreasing my catch by 15% just so I can catch more 10-12" fish. I am not looking to catch 100 eating size Crappie. I am after a few big ones, particularly one worthy of hanging on my wall. From reading your report, I gather that a 9" limit would decrease my chances by 15%? Conway does not have a size problem, as I think the ratio is very good. If the limit would decrease the number of large fish caught, then I say leave it be.

Originally Posted by Cmj

Matt, after reading your report, I think that a 9" length limit would be bad for Conway. I am not in favor of decreasing my catch by 15% just so I can catch more 10-12" fish. I am not looking to catch 100 eating size Crappie. I am after a few big ones, particularly one worthy of hanging on my wall. From reading your report, I gather that a 9" limit would decrease my chances by 15%? Conway does not have a size problem, as I think the ratio is very good. If the limit would decrease the number of large fish caught, then I say leave it be.

The model only perdicts that the will be an overall 15% reduction in the total number of crappie harvested. This would be all sizes but particularly the smaller ones. The model assumes that for the no length limit scenario all crappie caught greater than 6 inches are harvested. We all no that is not true on Lake Conway. IT is just a limitation of the model. You have to draw the line some where for the smallest size crappie someone would harvest. Anyway, the 9 in MLL model predicts that 15% fewer crappie would be harvested, mainly because the crappie from 6-9 inches are no longer being harvested. Thus a reduction in 15% in numbers harvested. Length limits can be great in cituations where growth is fast and natural mortatlity is low. Lake Conway is perfect example of this. On average it only takes 1.5 years for Lake Conway white crappie to grow 9" and 2.5 years for a black crappie. Very fast growth. We estimated natural mortatlity to be around 12%. This means that almost all of the crappie dieing are from anglers harvesting them. This is also a good thing. I know that a lot of people dont want to mess with a good thing, but some think that it could be better. This would be risk that we would have to take to see if we could improve the lake.

I understand. If the 15% decrease meant ONLY 15% fewer small Crappie, then I say go for it. But if it is going to decrease overall catch by15%, meaning that fewer large fish would be caught also, then I say no. Not that my opinion means much, but there you have it!!!

I value everyone's opinion on issues such as this. Not only is this my lake, it is yours as well. The problem is that it is impossible to make everyone happy. I hope that if a length limit is proposed in the future, the majority of anglers would be comfortable with it. It is my job to collect and analyze the data and present it in a manner that is understandable. I could go either way with or without a minimum length limit regulation. I just want everyone to understand that it is not a garantee that it will improve the fishery. All we have to go by it what the model tells us. I feel comfortable with the data and the model and the predicted benigfits of a MLL (minimum length limit). On the other hand, I would also be comfortable with the status quoe.

Done, no problem

Only 57 responses on the survey. I would think that more than 57 people on this forum fish for crappie on Lake Conway.

59 responses. If you know anyone who would like to participate, now is the time.

IMHO the number one thing you can do to help the population on Conway is stop the YoYo fishing and you will see size and population BOOM'S like never before. No size limit needed.