Crappie growth.

I have lived at my house for 8 years and have never caught a single crappie in those 8 years nor has anyone else. So I think no crappie in my pond. This last spring in early April my cousin that lives close said come catch some of these very very small crappie out of his pond, so me and my daughter did. We must have caught 100 or more and then I decided to put some in my pond. We caught 40 more fish and put them all in a 5 gallon bucket with water no problem (to tell somewhat of the size of these fish) and put them in my pond. All of these fish swam off and lived. We never caught one of these fish the rest of the year. A buddy from work called me today and asked to fish my pond I said ok, he showed up with some minners and began to catch some small bass. Shortly after the bass catching he catches a crappie and I went to look and it was about 11" long and in great shape. He caught 12 and I cut him off not sure he may catch em all!!!! I am kind of puzzled that in 9 months these fish have gotten to this great size. Is this a normal growth rate? Do I have the capability to grow a three pounder in my pond in a few years?
D10 can you answer these questions?Attachment 187985Attachment 187986

No expert but if you don't take them out in bunches they will usually overpopulated a pond and then you have nothing but the little ones like you caught out of the other pond.

Can't answer your question, but I'd love to have that pond. Sweet.

We actually have it for sale now. 20 acres and two ponds near toad suck.

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Originally Posted by cray

No expert but if you don't take them out in bunches they will usually overpopulated a pond and then you have nothing but the little ones like you caught out of the other pond.

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I agree. Crappie in a small pond is a bad idea.

The pond is about 2 acres.

More than likely those were not the crappie that you stocked last year. 9" of growth in one year is not impossible, but unlikely. However, crappie will put on the most length the first 2 years, in most situations. Stick one in a bag and put it on ice and bring it to work with you. I will stop by and show you how to age it. Then you will know for sure.

Interesting.

Take them out as fast as you can and have fun doing it.

I will the next time I catch one. The fish i put in the pond where about 6 to maybe 7 inches long and weighed nothing. And these fish are 10 1/2 to 11" and weigh about 1/2 lb. I just thought that kind of weight growth was good, but that maybe how all crappie are. I have always caught tons of small thin bass and they have never gotten any bigger and by not catching a single crappie for 8 years I assumed the fish from today where the ones I stocked. Idk.

Thanks Matt.

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Originally Posted by shawnh

I will the next time I catch one. The fish i put in the pond where about 6 to maybe 7 inches long and weighed nothing. And these fish are 10 1/2 to 11" and weigh about 1/2 lb. I just thought that kind of weight growth was good, but that maybe how all crappie are. I have always caught tons of small thin bass and they have never gotten any bigger and by not catching a single crappie for 8 years I assumed the fish from today where the ones I stocked. Idk.

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Ok. They could put on 4 inches in a year for sure. Sorry, I misunderstood earlier.

Bluegills and bass are a better idea in a small pond. One balances out the other. To keep the crappie from over populating, you need to remove lots of them after they've spawned a few times. Florida strained bass will help if the pond is big enough. Catfish too.

D-10 is the best resource for the correct way to manage your situation. If he doesn't know how to do ponds, I'm sure he can direct you in the RIGHT direction. Good luck on the sale of your place.

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Originally Posted by BigRiverMarine

D-10 is the best resource for the correct way to manage your situation. If he doesn't know how to do ponds, I'm sure he can direct you in the RIGHT direction. Good luck on the sale of your place.

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Thanks Bill. Ponds are not difficult to manage if they are not too out of whack. If the bluegill or bass are already stunted, it is a little harder to get the predator/prey balance corrected. But, it is doable. If just takes a little more effort (harvesting fish).

Man been my experience if a pond isn't at least 50 acres, u dont want a crappie in it.

I don't know about your crappie questions but you sure got a cute redhead to help manage them! great pic!

D 10 I started a thread on the Florida board under something to ponder on cold days we can't fish . Would u come over and join in and see if u can answer my question for the guys.

Ark crappie suggested u

That baby girl is just precious. What a cutie!!!! Congrats on a wonderful fishing partner.

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Originally Posted by Crappiegirl1

D 10 I started a thread on the Florida board under something to ponder on cold days we can't fish . Would u come over and join in and see if u can answer my question for the guys.

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Questions answered. Thanks.

That is a good read Matt! Hope I didn't put you on the spot to bad.

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Originally Posted by arkcrappie

That is a good read Matt! Hope I didn't put you on the spot to bad.

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No problem at all. I like to talk about crappie!

Matt, this thread inspired me to check a few otoliths. I have successfully removed a couple but wondered if you have any tips to help see the rings. Does it help to have them in a drop of water, or against a dark background, or with light shining from below? Should they be dried first? Just wondering after turning them every which way and still having trouble seeing the annular rings. FYI it looks like a 10 inch, an 11 inch, and a 12 inch crappie are nearing their fourth year. These were caught in the Toadsuck area of the river. Sorry guys, this isn't a fishing report- it took 5 guys to catch these three fish!

edit- these were all black crappie

Determining a crappies age with a whole view otolith is really only accurate if it is a 0-3 year old fish. After that it is unreliable. The more advance method you need a microscope. I would be happy to demonstrate this for you at my office in Mayflower. Give me a call some time next week. I should be in the office.

D10 do you need a dissecting microscope to age the otoliths? Or rather what kind of microscope do you need?

Yes, a dissecting microscope.

Thanks D10.