Thread: Sardis changes

Regulation change proposed for Sardis Lake
JACKSON - Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Fisheries Bureau announced a proposal to change crappie length and bag limits on Sardis Lake. The proposal consists of lowering the minimum size crappie anglers can keepfrom 12 inches to 10 inches, as well as reducing the bag limit from 20 to 15 fish per angler. In addition, boats with 3 or more anglers will be able to keep 40 crappie per boat versus the current boat limit of 50.

"We are proposing the regulation change to evaluate Sardis Lake's ability to support the quality crappie fishery it is historically known for with a smaller size and bag limit," said MDWFP Fisheries Bureau Director Ron Garavelli. "We will be sampling Sardis throughout 2013 to evaluate the impacts these regulation changes may have on the crappie resource. If negative impacts on the crappie resource are found, we will recommend reinstating the 12-inch minimum in 2014." No changes are proposed on Grenada, Enid, and Arkabutla lakes, with current length and bag limits remaining the same, 12 inches and 20 fish. Aninformational meeting on the proposed regulation will be held January 31, 2013, at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery and Visitor Education Center, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

Anyone wishing to comment on the proposed change may do so in writing to the Executive Director, Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks, 1505 Eastover Dr., Jackson, MS 39211, no later than February 16, 2013.

Let the discussion begin!

Ill just be happy when they set the limit to 1 fish each for all the COE. Then the playing field will be level.

Originally Posted by Wannabe...

Ill just be happy when they set the limit to 1 fish each for all the COE. Then the playing field will be level.

Seems it would make more sense for starters to just make the regs the same at all the Corps Lakes. Dang confusing for someone not familiar, trying to keep all the different rules straight.

Originally Posted by NeonMoon

Seems it would make more sense for starters to just make the regs the same at all the Corps Lakes. Dang confusing for someone not familiar, trying to keep all the different rules straight.

I agree

It may take some pressure off Sardis and that may be why they are proposing this rule change. Lots of people from Memphis fish Sardis regularly. Folks who don't want to be limited to 15 keepers would be encouraged to go elsewhere. That would not be good for butla since I imagine that it would get more pressure if folks react to new rule like I'm suggesting. And butla don't need more pressure from the Memphis anglers. With gas prices being as high as they are, it would make it a tough choice to go to Sardis from Memphis for fewer fish if someone was trying to load their freezer. I agree that we need to catch what we need and leave the rest. Lots of folks try to catch all they can and often bring a partner in their boat so they can keep 40. I know guys who bring along somebody who almost never fishes and puts them in the back of their boat so that they can catch more than 20 out of the front.

Originally Posted by CatchumDeep

It may take some pressure off Sardis and that may be why they are proposing this rule change. Lots of people from Memphis fish Sardis regularly. Folks who don't want to be limited to 15 keepers would be encouraged to go elsewhere. That would not be good for butla since I imagine that it would get more pressure if folks react to new rule like I'm suggesting. And butla don't need more pressure from the Memphis anglers. With gas prices being as high as they are, it would make it a tough choice to go to Sardis from Memphis for fewer fish if someone was trying to load their freezer. I agree that we need to catch what we need and leave the rest. Lots of folks try to catch all they can and often bring a partner in their boat so they can keep 40. I know guys who bring along somebody who almost never fishes and puts them in the back of their boat so that they can catch more than 20 out of the front.

that the funniest thing i have heard everybody and their mother will be at sardis to get their limit, Dont know how often you fish butla but it on of the toughest lakes to fish here today gone tomorrow. You are going to have to get to the boat ramp at 3 am just to get launched by day light

Originally Posted by slabin

that the funniest thing i have heard everybody and their mother will be at sardis to get their limit, Dont know how often you fish butla but it on of the toughest lakes to fish here today gone tomorrow. You are going to have to get to the boat ramp at 3 am just to get launched by day light

Glad to hear I gave you a good laugh. Butla is the lake I fish the most. Not that tough if you fish it regularly and learn how. Butla got a ton of pressure this summer when Sardis was producing nothing but short fish. Hope you're right about Sardis rule change and it keeps the pressure off Butla. That would be a good thing for those of us who like to fish butla.

Originally Posted by CatchumDeep

I know guys who bring along somebody who almost never fishes and puts them in the back of their boat so that they can catch more than 20 out of the front.

I kinda did that this past fall for camp...had Tomtom in the back.

Originally Posted by NeonMoon

Seems it would make more sense for starters to just make the regs the same at all the Corps Lakes. Dang confusing for someone not familiar, trying to keep all the different rules straight.

I agree on this too

I think that these proposed changes go back to this time list year when a lot of folks were yammering about wanting to lower the length limits on the Big 4. Remember? Some folks wanted to go back to 10 inches. Well in response to that, the "boat limit" was instituted at 50 per boat with 3 or more anglers. Now they are proposing to lower the length limit as well as the possession limit on Sardis. This appears to be a preview of what's to come for all the Big 4. Someone once said: be careful what you ask for; you may just get it.