Put in charge of 210 Acre Lake- I know nothing about Crappie- Need your Magical Minds

I need some expertise as I have just been put in charge of our 210 Acre lake in South Carolina. I am lost a bit and need some advice on how to create as close to a perfect environment for Crappie to Breed and grow I have been given full reign as to what I can do to improve the lake but obviously need keep any costs to a minimum

Some background I am sure will be needed, so here goes.

The lake is 210 acres, spring-fed,mostly 4-10 feet deep and the deepest part is 35 feet deep. The water is very clear to where you can see 6-8 feet deep. We are in the process of deciding what the best cover is to add be it Christmas Trees, Pallet structures, Bamboo in Cinder Blocks or something else.

The lake contains Largemouth Bass, Bluegill, Shellcracker, Hybrid Crappie, Chain Pickerel, Grass Carp,and Blue Catfish.


Only 10-15 people fish this private lake and half of them fish for Crappie and the other half fish for the Largemouth Bass.
Some bass between 4# and 8# are caught (but not often) and a 12# 12 ounce and a few 10#rs were caught last year. I have been told the Crappie fishing use to be good to great 4-6 years ago but it has dropped way off. The HOA would like to see the Crappie and Bass fishing improve- especially the Crappie fishing.

We see a large amount of 3-5 inch bass and bluegill around most of the docks- they seem plentiful. The challenge is that besides the docks, lily pads and weeds, there is very little cover. There are some sunken logs and tree trunks left as the trees were cut down when the lake was created, but again limited.

The HOA does not want to electro-shock to see exactly the balance of the lake and I cannot convince them, so it's a dead issue.

We are completing the stocking of the lake on Friday based on our budget and here is what is being stocked:
10,000 2-3" Hybrid Crappie
30,000 Bluegill 3-4"
15,000 Shellcracker- 3-4'
2,000 4-6" Bluegill
2,000 4-6" Shellcracker
1,500 Largemouth Bass-2-4"
30,000 Fathead Minnows



My Goal is to make this lake sustainable so the HOA does not have to stock every 4-6 years. I believe with a bit of advice, and a few changes, Mother Nature can take care of the lake and the Crappie population should hopefully explode in the next 2-4 years.
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- My questions are:
- What would be the best cover to create and how many C-Trees, bamboo Structures or pallets should be sunk in each brush pile for the Crappie to thrive- where should it be placed (how deep) - -How do we create the best area for these Crappie to spawn as this is the overall goal- let the fish we stock breed and therefore increase the population.
- Approximately how many brush piles should we create in this 210 Acre Lake ?
- Any other suggestions ?
I would especially like to hear the INTIMIDATOR's opinions as he has worked on a South Carolina in the past.
Thank You for any guidance and thoughts.

I dont know alot about your situation but I would say hold off on your stocking until you can see what you need.If you are seeing alot of bass and blue gill in the 3-5 inch range why would you be stocking more in that size.Its possible you could have way to many fish in there and that is the reason for the size that you have now.The best thing that you could do would be get a state fish bioligist to come speak to the HOA and explain how important it is to do a survey so that you can put the lake in proper balance

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Originally Posted by clfarms1

I dont know alot about your situation but I would say hold off on your stocking until you can see what you need.If you are seeing alot of bass and blue gill in the 3-5 inch range why would you be stocking more in that size. Its possible you could have way to many fish in there and that is the reason for the size that you have now.The best thing that you could do would be get a state fish bioligist to come speak to the HOA and explain how important it is to do a survey so that you can put the lake in proper balance

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X2. I wouldn't stock anything until you find out what the population is like. Normally when a lake suddenly stops producing good crappie, it is because it has become stunted due to overpopulation. Without fisherman pressure, or some type of massive fish kill, crappie populations are not likely to decline on their own. Stocking Crappie into an already over populated lake will only make things worse. If the main goal is to improve the fishery, then taking a sample is a must before stocking. Otherwise, you may be wasting your time, and it will cost you more money in the long run.

Might want to add shad...In the Kansas state forum is a sub-forum called "Ask the Biologist". Would ask him, he IS a State certified biologist, after all...as far as keeping any attractors `on the cheap`, go around to the local "C" tree lots and offer to take their left over trees if they will deliver them . If not, contact the township officials where the pond is and offer to take them after Christmas IF they will deliver them. You should end up with a few trees. Look at each tree, most are slightly bowed. Cut all branches off curved side of each trunk 18" up, INCLUDING any nubs; you want it as flat as possible. Go to a cement block maker/ retailer and buy `2cnds`; blocks that have minor or cosmetic flaws. Usually they sell for 50- 75 cents each. Get them to the pond, and place in stacks 2 blocks tall. Put trunk of tree on upper block adjust the tree so it is as FLAT as possible. Start at the upper end and secure with light plastic coated steel cable thru the block, over then completely around each trunk once. Add a loosened clamp and put a pair of Vice Grips on each end of the cable. Tighten it HARD getting ALL slack out of the cable, then tighten clamp nuts. Tie the lower end with VHD weed eater line, again ensuring there is NO slack in the line . Test by lifting the cut end of tree trunk; if the block does not come up immediately when lifting, put it back down and loosen it and retie it until NO slack remains. Then water the trees well in rows from about 6 to 20 ft on the steepest structure and/ or on windward shore. Sets can also be placed on any bare bottom in groups of 5- 20 trees...also osage orange (hedge apple) is EXCELLENT for cover lasting 20+ yrs mulberry "only lasts about 10, locust about 15...good luck, sir !

My first thought mirrors others on here, why stock bass when you have so many already? Sounds like too many fish in the pond, so no growth. Is the lake C&R only? If not, what are the take limits? I don't see how 10-15 anglers can keep a lake with that size and biodiversity balanced.

I agree with everyone, why stock something that has plenty of fish already? It needs some fishing pressure to recover if all you have is small fish.

The first thing you need to do is check your water quality...pH, alkalinity, and hardness. It is not good that the water is so clear, that means there is very little nutrients in the water. it all starts with primary productivity for your small bream/minnow/shad species which will be your prey base for the crappie and bass. You really need to think about fertilizing to boost primary productivity, however you need to check your water chemistry first to see if you need to lime before fertilizing. I would definitely hold off on stocking anymore bass until springtime. the bass are going to be your major consumers and will pick off all those fingerling crappie you are introducing. also ask what kind of hybrids they are....If they are the "Georgia giants" they can really mess up your balance in a couple years. after several generations breed they revert back to there original parents. after about 3 years of Georgia giants you will be overrun my stunted fish. you really need to get a balance check to properly stock, but fertilizing will help tremendously.

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Originally Posted by bioguy

The first thing you need to do is check your water quality...pH, alkalinity, and hardness. It is not good that the water is so clear, that means there is very little nutrients in the water. it all starts with primary productivity for your small bream/minnow/shad species which will be your prey base for the crappie and bass. You really need to think about fertilizing to boost primary productivity, however you need to check your water chemistry first to see if you need to lime before fertilizing. I would definitely hold off on stocking anymore bass until springtime. the bass are going to be your major consumers and will pick off all those fingerling crappie you are introducing. also ask what kind of hybrids they are....If they are the "Georgia giants" they can really mess up your balance in a couple years. after several generations breed they revert back to there original parents. after about 3 years of Georgia giants you will be overrun my stunted fish. you really need to get a balance check to properly stock, but fertilizing will help tremendously.

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I never heard of fertilizing a lake, what do you use on it

Generally APPROVED phosphate based algae food; it is available in bulk but use it EXACTLY according to instructions. Might want to start a conversation with that biologist...he does this sort of thing for a living...doubt he will steer you wrong.

Again you, don't the know the issues. You need some basic water quality info and population density and composition info, at a minimum. 20-50 ft seine net might be enough to get you the fish data (although electric shocking is more effective). It also could serve as way to remove some of the population (if it is determine that the population is stunted). My best guess on limited info, is that your hybrids are no longer and the pure crappie (and possible everything else) is stunted. If that is the case, adding more cover is only going to compound the problem.