Quote Originally Posted by mattcombs
The first time I went to Cedar Creek, I fished along the standing timber just across from the main ramp and completely destroyed the crappie. I probably had 10 keepers that day (larger than 12", at that time, mind you). Never really been back on the south end of the lake since last year (in the summer).

I agree with you on the "meat hog," thing. I have heard that, as well, and I have yet to see a Fish & Wildlife employee on Cedar Creek the times I have been there. This worries me, as it is a shame that a majority of people would keep an undersized fish rather than put it back.

Are there gizzard shad in Cedar Creek? I wasn't aware that there were any in it. I heard lots of reports from the tackle shop that people were catching MANY undersized crappie, so something is going on that shouldn't be. It's a shame, but they can put all the limits they want to on the fish: if they aren't enforced, very few are going to be respectful enough to follow them. Too bad a few bad apples always ruin the entire barrel.

What exactly is a "Blacknose?" Do you mean Black Crappie? I've yet to catch a white crappie from Cedar Creek... so I wasn't aware they were there.
If you are catching 12" Crappie from Cedar Creek, then I need to get down there :D Are you talking about the ramp by the dam, as the "main ramp" ??

Yes, the "meat hog/poacher" problem really needs to be addressed. I haven't seen any Wildlife Officers "on the water" ... but, have seen them cruising the parking lots. They wanted the lake to be a "cash cow" for Lincoln County, and a Trophy Bass Lake for the state (& KDFWR) ... maybe if they put some agents on the lake, full time, and fine the meat hogs & litterbugs - they'll succeed on both fronts.

Yes, there are Gizzard Shad in Cedar Creek. They were supposed to have been eradicated by KDFWR, before the lake was filled up. They poisoned the creek with Rotenone, while they were making the lake. There was supposed to only be Bass, Channel Cats, Black Crappie, Bluegill, & Redears stocked in the lake. So, either the poisoning efforts didn't work, or someone planted them. It remains to be seen if their presence will be a positive or negative to the fishery ... but, supposedly the Bass were to keep the Bluegill, Redear, & Crappie in check --- but with the presence of Shad, which Bass prefer, it could mean that they will overpopulate and stunt (esp the Redear).

There are no White Crappie in Cedar Creek .... or should I say, there were no White Crappie "stocked" in Cedar Creek !! The Blacknose is a Black Crappie with a genetic coloration variation. They look just like a regular Black Crappie, except for a black "stripe" running from their mouth to dorsal fin. Like this one:


They're called Arkansas Blacknose .... because they occur naturally, though rare, in a section of the White River in Arkansas. All other bodies of water that contain them, have been stocked with them - either by Wildlife Depts or by the accidental flooding of containment ponds. I've caught them often, down at Watts Bar Lake. They seem to be a little more "wild" acting, when hooked, than the other Black Crappie :D

Keep up the reports on Cedar Creek !! ......... luck2ya ... cp