What say ye ?

We have a local opinionist who pontificates much to often about a state lake in our area.His recent post dealt with the size of crappie folks should keep.In His opinion,folks were keeping too large of crappie,he stated no crappie should be kept over 7”.
I’m no expert ,but I have caught 16” crappie on this lake,but most average 12”-14”,of course all lakes have dinks. I’m not sure where keeping only the 7” and under is the way to go,what say Ye?

Crappie only live about four years....so might as well keep and eat the big ones

The conservation dept in Missouri is outstanding. They do a fantastic job taking samples, stocking, creating habitat and setting limits appropriate to the populations so we don't have to worry about it. If they say the fish is fair game its goin in the fryin pan.

At 7 inches you could read this post through the fillets

I fish places where 9 inch fish are legal and I do not keep anything not 10 inches . Just not enough meat on them bones @ 7 inches .

Under 10" let em go and let em grow.Attachment 372188

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Agree w/others no sense to keep fish under 10" meat wise....like a bench mark of 11" & above actually.....also like anything else, as a fish ages it bound to get slower & w/ predators swimming in waters like ours in Florida, it's probably the reason our state record will never fall, just shy of 4 lbs.....but I sure would like to be wrong.....

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I rarely keep fish under 11”, but I’m not against keeping a limit of smaller ones to fry up fresh, just like bream.


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every lake is different and personally I release those 14 and up as that's how you get to bigger ones. In my home lake the numbers are incredible and if things are slow will keep fatter 8" to cook whole and then it's worthwhile and need to take more fish out. released one approaching 16 last year as I just couldn't kill it and you HOPE it gets to lake record tho most likely someone else will get the thrill of ketchn it.

If your average is 12" to 14" I wouldn't change a thing. You're a lucky man.

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