What effect will this flooding have on the crappie?

[joe lynott]

Has anyone ever seen flooding like this before and remember what effect it had on the crappie and fishing in general for that season? I have heard practically every decent lake in KY is closed. I'm thinking this is seriously going to be a major smackdown for us this year. I drove by a small lake I have always wanted to try along I-65 in Hardin Co. that is adjcent the Rolling Fork which ran over it's banks and into this lake. Needless to say the water color went from a pretty greenish blue to a s--t brown. This lake will probably be in a state of total nastiness for a long time. Any thoughts as to when we are going to be able to get back out there and has there been any lakes opened back up to boats and fishing???

[CrappiePappy]

It could be good for Crappie, if they've already spawned and the fry have left the nest. Well, as long as the current didn't wash them away, that is :p
It could give them plenty of cover to hide in, allowing them to survive longer than they may have, under normal conditions.

It could be bad for Crappie, if they haven't spawned or are trying to spawn ... since the drawdowns will pull them off any nesting sites they've made, or leave the eggs high & dry. The muddy water will also make it tough on them.

All in all, though ... it probably won't be noticable for a few years, as far as recruitment goes. Most all of our lakes have flooded before, and the Crappie still exist. I think the biggest problems we will see from the floodings, will be habitat changes or destruction. And that's taking into account only the fish & the lakes .... and not counting the damages to docks, marinas, launch ramps, etc.

... cp