Does MD need a tidal crappie fishery management plan

My name is Tom O'Connell, Director of MD DNR Fisheries Service. I have been a follower of this forum for the past 1-2 years, and have enjoyed reading your stories about crappie fishing. Maryland's Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission recommended that DNR Fisheries Service make it a priority to develop a fishery management plan for tidal crappie. We have fishery management plans for a number of species such as striped bass, blue crabs, yellow perch, croaker, drum, catfish, etc.... A fishery management plan is used to determine sustainable harvest levels, allocation between commercial and recreational fishermen, as needed, sets management goals in consultation with stakeholders, and management strategies to achieve these stakeholder goals. As I work with my staff to assess the priority need for initiating a tidal crappie fishery management plan, I would be very interested in hearing your thoughts on this issue. Specifically, do you believe a fishery management plan should be developed, based upon your experience over the years is the fishery improving, declining, or the same, if imrpoving or declining what to you believe the causes are, what do you believe are the biggest problems with the fishery, and would any of you be willing to serve on a workgroup to help us develop this fishery management plan if we decide to embark on this task. You are some of the most avid tidal crappie fishermen I am aware of in Maryland, and I would be very interested in your input. If you prefer, you can email me your thoughts at to on [email protected]. Thanks in advance for your input. Tom

I just noticed my email was incorrect. It is [email protected]. Tom

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Originally Posted by toconnell

Maryland's Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission recommended that DNR Fisheries Service make it a priority to develop a fishery management plan for tidal crappie.

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Tom - what member of the committee brought this up? Also are the minutes of this latest meeting posted on-line?

Ref your question - I think the tidal Crappie are doing just fine. I've been catching for the past 10 years and generally catch enough to keep most trips. Even though there is no size limit, I have a self-imposed min of 10".

The issue was raised at the 2/15/11 Sport Fisheries Advisory Commission by Commissioners Dave Sikorski who is representative of MD Coastal Conservation Association. If you of the SFAC website you will note this item on their 2/15/11 agenda, however, the minutes from this meeting are not online for some reason. I have asked my staff person, Marty Gary, for a copy of the minutes and will make them available online next week. The issue was raised by MD CCA because of concern that populations in some areas have declined, and they recall a higher quality recreational fishery historically. Some have questioned whether commercial harvest of tidal crappie in some areas have impacted populations. MIT you would like more details, I am sure Mr. Sikorski would be happy to discuss with you. Mr. Sikorski's email is [email protected]. Tom

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Originally Posted by toconnell

Some have questioned whether commercial harvest of tidal crappie in some areas have impacted populations.

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I kinda figured that's who it was. That's "their" excuse for everything. Can't catch a cold, it must have been the Commercial fisherman.

I wonder how one would commercial fish for crappie in Md Tidal water? I guess his answer would be gill nets.

Did he by chance say where this Commercial harvest was taking place? I've NEVER seen a commercial crappie fisherman.

I guess they brought up Yellow Perch also and how nobody is catching and big fish in the Susqy this year? Blaming that on commercial fisherman also, even though the commercial limit is 8-11". Somehow the commercial fisherman are responsible for the decline of 12-14" fish.

I have not had time to look at the commercial landings data of crappie yet to understand the location, harvest method and magnitude of landings. I am aware that commercial harvest of crappie does occur in the upper bay tributaries using fyke nets. I can understand your sentiment towards MD CCA as I was involved in the yellow perch management issues of the past when they were not advocating reasonable solutions. If you are not aware, the leadership of MD CCA changed a few years ago, and I can tell you from personal experience that it has been a refreshing change. They are focused on conservation, and a more balanced management program including both recreational and commercial fishermen. If you have not become familiar with their new leadership, you may want to give the organization a clean slate. Tom

Yes, a management plan is needed, and needed before that need becomes apparent. FWIW however the stories of formerly larger fish than are currently available are all over. Just ask any old timer on any water. Some of them true enough, but all have a bit of nostalgia that exaggerates the sizes at least a bit. A whole lot of those tales need a grain of salt.

I think we really do , It would be a shame that my Gandkids would not be able to know the pleasure of Crappie fishing. My Father fished for crappie all his life and where we fished there are crappie there but nothing like I experienced with him. We only would keep 5 fish , because there were 5 in my Family. He would never let me keep any more then that. Now I dont keep any only because I have seen the the size and quanity go down. I dont think there should be any commercial fishing for crappie or yellow perch at all. JMO.

I think some resonable regs would probably be a good idea we sometimes keep a big hull but then let em go the next 2 or 3 trips but most dont. As far as gill netting most fish caught in gill nets that are thrown back die and I would think the yellow perch caught in that deep water in the susky really have high mortality , in other words I think the slot size is a joke when it comes to gill netting I think its fine for fish caught in fyke nets but not gill nets. I think like a 20 fish per man on crappie would be ok.

If you fish on my boat it is 12 per person.

But we tend to keep only 10 inch and up.

I have seen crappie at the DC Fish market sold as rainbow perch. According to the mongers it was 8 baskets of by catch from upper bay.

I think the PRFC has 24 per person limit that is way to high.

They will not stand a commercial netting interest on the Potomac.. the stock will crash.

My 2 cents..

Capt Mike