Lake monticello

What happened to the grass in the bottom of the lake? We always thought it was very good cover and one of the reasons for the great crappie population. Last time we had a camera out there we didn't see any.

Yeah used to catch 2 lb red ear too.

It would be nice to catch a mess of crappie without driving 45- 50 miles

Thanks mojorig for pointing out the crappie stocking I guess I missed that one. But do think it should have more emphasis on crappie than it gets. I drove out there one morning last week and there was only one boat trailer in the parking lots and it was a party barge with swimmers no fishing boats. Seems like a big waste of such a nice lake.

Only five minutes from my house and I feel like I'm wasting my time every time I go out there. I truly believe two things have ruined that lake (grass carp and white bass).

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Speed trout

Only five minutes from my house and I feel like I'm wasting my time every time I go out there. I truly believe two things have ruined that lake (grass carp and white bass).

---

Your probably right those green carp are eating machines

Guys sometimes big slabs can fly from lake to lake if you know what I mean. If they won't do it then sometimes fish just migrate on there own from other lakes. Best done in the colder months so survival is better.

Sometimes it is better to put than take

We used to love fishing down in that Hydrilla. I caught my biggest black crappie ever in that lake (19.25 inches).....was about 8 years ago and I didn't even have a scale but it was very thick and healthy. David begged me to have it mounted but I cleaned it with the rest of em and it was good! Have hated that ever since! We have many many fond memories of Crappie fishing on LM but looks like now it is just a thing of the past. Right now as a Crappie lake it ain't worth the salt it takes to eat a meal, LOL.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Mojorig

That is actually a light stocking for Lake Monticello. It normally is stocked with 100,000 Florida largemouth bass. The purpose of stocking it every year is to keep the Florida genetics in the lake. It also is stocked with threadfin shad, most years, which there are very few lakes that receive shad stockings. The lake was stocked with 50,300 yearling Black Crappie on 10/24/13.

---

Stocking that many Bass and lots fewer Crappie it probably won't help much!:twocents

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by NIMROD

Stocking that many Bass and lots fewer Crappie it probably won't help much!:twocents

---

With no more thick cover for the yearling Crappie it will probably just make for some fat Florida Largemouths! Last summer we took an underwater camera to about 10 of our old honeyholes where there was always at least a 60-80% chance of being loaded with Crappie.....and one honeyhole that ALWAYS produced (we wouldn't even fish it after daylight) and didn't see a single Crappie all morning! We did see lots and lots of green carp......