Thread: Question

The reason some lakes do not have a size or creel limits because all the crappie in that body of water are too overpopulated and have poor growth rates. The lake biologist wants them thinned out. For me a 14 inch Illinois crappie is worth talking about.

We have got to where if its under 10 inches we probably aren't going to keep it, maybe in the spring we might keep our unders on Shelbyville. As far as bragging rights I think you need to be up around the 15 inch area.

Originally Posted by Kenny

I know we don't grow em as big as some southern states but I'm asking about a prize size for Illinois in your opinion.

I have to disagree with the not growing them as big as the southern states. We have several lakes here in southern IL that produce huge fish and do it often. Kinkaid, Crab, Cedar and Rend for that matter. Rend may not produce 3 lbers like the rest but it does produce nice fish. As far as a bragging rights fish, I would say it would be a 17 inch crappie. But not all 2 3/4 or 3 lb fish are that long. The fish may be a short stubby fat ole black crappie that may be pushing 2 or 3 lbs.

And this misconception about the "growing season" is a bunch of crap. Fish feed and grow all year long, they have to so they can survive. I personally don't believe in this so called "growing season". The reason is because there are a lot of huge fish caught up north in the northern states and even in Canada.

My two cents on this issue.

CX.

I agree with crappie extreme. There are big fish in every lake. Anything over 15 in is a good fish anywhere you go.

Originally Posted by Crappie Xtreme

I have to disagree with the not growing them as big as the southern states. We have several lakes here in southern IL that produce huge fish and do it often. Kinkaid, Crab, Cedar and Rend for that matter. Rend may not produce 3 lbers like the rest but it does produce nice fish. As far as a bragging rights fish, I would say it would be a 17 inch crappie. But not all 2 3/4 or 3 lb fish are that long. The fish may be a short stubby fat ole black crappie that may be pushing 2 or 3 lbs.

And this misconception about the "growing season" is a bunch of crap. Fish feed and grow all year long, they have to so they can survive. I personally don't believe in this so called "growing season". The reason is because there are a lot of huge fish caught up north in the northern states and even in Canada.

My two cents on this issue.

CX.

i agree except that the farther north you go it takes longer for a fish to reach the same size some times years longer.they do feed all year but being cold blooded metabolism kicks in ,they just dont have to eat as much.also they have a ton more water up north.more water less pressure means bigger fish.i have caught crappies,nice ones in ontario.about the north end of their range.same for bluegills and bass.it may take a crappie in canada 3 times as long to reach 2lbs than in southern illinois.i have caught huge crappie in illinois in some unlikely spots.we do have trophy crappie.many crappie are being caught in lake michigan.not big ones but they are starting to show up in numbers.its all good

in the spring size is not as important as thickness.if they have some shoulders they are going into the cooler.a big female with eggs i will usually release after a quick pic.i have let some true trophies go over the years and always felt good knowing they will probaly get a chance to spawn.once the waters warm i mostly let crappies go and switch to bluegills which i enjoy eating year round