Anyone know of any talk or studies on changing crappie size, numbers, special rules for specific lakes, etc??? Just curious!
Looks like FWC will be considering some changes on black bass.
See http://myfwc.com/media/3056504/12-BlackBassMemo.pdf
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Anyone know of any talk or studies on changing crappie size, numbers, special rules for specific lakes, etc??? Just curious!
Looks like FWC will be considering some changes on black bass.
See http://myfwc.com/media/3056504/12-BlackBassMemo.pdf
Not that i am aware at this time -
Will send e-mail to FWC various division supervisors for check.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishin813
Thanks, also I should have clarified the bass changes are on the FWC Commissioners agenda for their meeting Jun 23-25 in Sarasota.
Here is response to your Black Crappie question
Hey Harold, currently there are no regulation changes proposed for black crappie around the state. The last time we looked at a potential crappie rule change was back in 2012 on Lake Istokpoga, but our stock assessment showed that regulations (e.g., 10 inch minimum) would not improve the population or angler catch rates. The primary reason was that anglers were self-regulating themselves and not keeping any crappie under 10 inches. However, a few of us have been discussing putting together a black crappie management plan for the state. We did this back in 2010 for largemouth bass which provided guidance to managers and researchers for the next 30 years and we currently are addressing the action items that came out of the plan for bass. One of those is changing our statewide black bass regulations throughout the state which will be presented to our commissioners next week for approval. There is definitely merit to doing this for crappie as well since it is primarily a harvest oriented species compared to bass which is mostly catch and release. We will probably revisit this concept for crappie in the upcoming year. However, budgetary restraints have sort of handcuffed us a bit so we’ll have to see how that turns out in the next few years as well.
Bill Pouder
FWC SW Region
Freshwater Fisheries Administrator
3900 Drane Field Rd.
Lakeland, FL 33811
The FWC can't do too much state wide regulation. It will slow down the out of state visitors ($$) especially during the winter and early spring months where Florida is the best place to speck fish. My license is $50/year. Multiply that times... Just my .02.
That out of state license is for 1 yr - pretty cheap for the amount of water
and fishery resources a person has available to them in Florida.
A $100.00 license would be more practical -
Also the amount of poaching that goes on is unbelieable - bluegill - shellcrackers
& crappie ...alone is almost beyond belief.
Coolers, Coolers & more coolers that go back North each year from mid March
through April is staggering
Canada has heavy restrictions on its fishing pressure compared to US.
Walleye 3 per day - 2 day total
N. Pike 3 per day - 2 day total
Muskegon - used to be could not have one in proes. under 51 inches and
than only 1.
Sea Trout - ukn
Small Mouth Bass - unk but thought they were under heavy protection
Just to name a few.
Some Florida lakes will not support the 10 in min. limit - others might depends
on what biologists and creel surveyes produce. To some degree the FWC is
indeed held in check by other Govt. agencies
Sorry about the Soap Box Revalle:
fishin813....soap box not a problem for me. A $50 per year license for a non-resident is cheap in my opinion. I hold both Alabama and Georgia 1 year license which is right at $50 each, and I will not fish in either state more than a hand full of times a year. If FWC had the funding to do more research we would most likely have a much better fishery in quantity and quality of fish. I fully support the proposed new bass regulations. In time we will be seeing much improved bass fishing.
Quote:
Originally Posted by fishin813
Excellent, thanks so much for your inquiry and sharing It pays to have a contact. From time to time you read something about possible size limit changes on certain lakes. As we can see it takes years and money for research to reach a point of proposing a change. Mr. Pouder made a very good point about crappie being primarily harvest oriented compared to bass which is mostly catch and release. Crappie quality can be improved on certain waters. Grenada in Mississippi is a good example....the minimum is 12 inches. Folks from all over the nation go there seeking 3 pounders which are common. I would like to see Florida setup and manager a lake that has the potential of achieving the quality like Lake Grenada.
There are 5 that i am aware of in the State which can and have produced 3 lb plus
Crappie. Heavy pressure being put on two of them could decrease return rate of the
big strain breeders, unless some type slot limit could be enacted on these lakes
to control harvesting.
I would think that there is already thougths by various State FWC's to look at
this type situation - but Political thinking, time & money control a large variable
of the execution of needed programs.
The poaching starts way earlier than March. Try around November in our area. Between that and the bucket brigades on the bank keeping anything including 3" fish we gonna need something done. Supported the 12" minimum when it was in place on Monroe and wish they would do something. Maybe a 10 minimum on specks and 9" minimum on gills, dont know what for sure, but will certainly call on violators if I see it. But I doubt much funding will change. The CCA and commercial fisherman keep their lobbiests busy and most attention to saltwater.
The 10`` rule on okeechobee has improved qualite, but poching is the biggest problem there. All we can do about it is keep our eyes and ears open. Fwc can`t do it aloan, we have to do our part to protect our fisheries. with more and more fishermen, harvest species will need more regs to maintain the fisheries. over regulating can be a problem to, it`s ahard job to keep the fishermen happy and the fish healthy.
I've fished Florida virtually all my life and have always fished by the set rules. The issue with the pressure on the great fresh waters of Florida is due to the population growth the past 20 years which equals more fishermen. In the past, the FWC has always been able to keep up the fishing pressure with their restocking program but like it was stated above budget cuts have affected the FWC. It's almost like the DOT. There is a 20 year lag with a road project. I really think the FWC are smart people and know exactly what they're doing...creating $$ for the fishing industry to name one. A $50 fishing license supports fish camps/lodges, restaurants, bait shops and convenient stores/gas etc. A lot more than $100 per out-of-state license is being spent per trip. One thing I know and it must be remembered, Florida is a tourism state. Always has been and probably always will be.
Fish and be happy! Just my .04
Canada??? Canada??? lol
I was watching a fishing show on TV the other day, and the game officer was explaining how they (their state) maintained their stock of above average crappie............ 5 fish limit per person per day, and a 12 inch minimum.
I would lose absolutely no sleep if our state implement the same.
I am all for management and self restrict fish caught in my boat above the legal limits. Unfortunately, there are others who do not respect our fisheries. The worst part is we do not have the enforcement to hold those people accountable. Rather laws stay the same or get stricter there are not enough officers to enforce them. FWC needs to increase man power drastically to get me to support any liscense increases or other changes. Any major lake should have a Lake Manager that's on the water or has officers on their behalf the 70% of the time. A 100% during peak fishing seasons and times. Next, we need to do something about our resources being raped at night. I for one don't want to stop it all together but maybe restrict it to a season so officers can enforce it. Not during the spawn either. In the heat of summer would be my vote. Just my 2 cents.
Adopt an incentive for FWC officers to do more evening checking beyond 5:30pm - would increase amount of funds avail to improve fishery and cut
down on poaching - overharvest of various spieces.
Crappie's spawn prior to Bluefill & Bass - hence Crappie cut into "fry" balance
pretty good. Not all lakes are equal to make one standard size rule ...
Also, there has been some discussion of "slot limit" on black crappie for
certain lakes to improve size & quality.
Cut down on lowering Kissimmee and related water sheds levels, whereby
spawing areas are dry and fish are more confined - All - in the name of water
table control in case of Hurricane - Duh... thats what we have locks for, not
for benefit of Sugarcane growers. or Lobbyists in Capitol.
I also believe officers should specialize in fishing and not be pulled in the fall for hunting. The increases in resources also should not be added to the saltwater fisheries more so than the freshwater fisheries. Develop divisions for each area.
Well said Crappie Limits,
Also when lakes are down stop the driving on lake bed to deep holes and surrounding trapped fish. Also the debris being left if the lake beds.
I don't disagree more manpower and other resources are needed but that costs a lot of money. License fees is a major funding resource for more manpower and enforcement. If we want more services from FWC then we must be willing to pay more. I would be in favor of reviewing and revising the regulations on no license fee required for Florida residents over 65.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappielimits
Florida took in over 40,000,000 in liscense fees last year and it wasn't spent on officers or very little on restoration of resources. Only 4 states in U.S. Bring in over 10,000,000. Where is the money going? These are reasonable questions to ask before opening the bank for more. You wouldn't double a kids allowance without being justified. Not saying fees couldn't be raised but what will the effect be on tourism? The retired people and snowbirds will still come but many young people will not be able to afford the fees for a few trips a year. I am one who supports Take a Kid Fishing and bring many throughout the year. Unfortunately, once they turn 18 they need a liscense. Many times these young people are on a tight budget but need hobbies besides drugs, alcohol and partying. I feel responsible to stand up for those guys who are in college trying to get started. Politics answer is always more fees or tax. My reply is how are we managing now? The biblical idea is if you do well with a little you will be blessed with more.
$40 million - now quite a heathy income - I too would like to see i & e sheet on
how the money is being spent - being broken down in laymen's terms.
Top to bottom.
Have no problem with increase of license's - or putting senior citizen fee on those
over 65. Freshwater as well as salt.
Would also willing to get involved with FWC on survey work to free up officers to
better preform their duties.
I would imagine that most is used in patrol of our borders. A while back, not sure the year, Marine Patrol was dissolved and became part of FWC including chasing the drug boats and border patrol. We have some pretty stout chase boats down south with FWC on em. I believe one of them is touted as the biggest and fastest patrol boat on our Nations waters, Midnight Express or something along those lines. Thats where I am positive most of that funding goes. Politicians saw a lucrative coffer from licensing and tax revenue and incorporated into the war on drugs and border protection without having to raise taxes on another front. Nope not Midnight Express, thats a Border Patrol Boat.
Was not aware of that Mike, thanks for the update. Kinda makes sense....
It was along those lines and time frame where FWC told me that they were getting
tightened up on amount of money they could spend repairing docks, putting in
fish attractors and advanceing on various lake improvement projects
This is not exactly a breakdown in specific line items but the annual budget provides a general breakdown on funding
See FWC - Budget
Thanks good info. They have plenty of money to run on for sure. Let's hold them more accountable. Drug and border war is a Federal issue and there is federal funding for that. Would love to see an itemized budget.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishwalton
It took me 65 years to get that privilege. Forty-nine of those years I paid for a license. For seventy years I have lived in this state. How about we make 65 and older license exempt in their birth state?Quote:
Originally Posted by fishwalton
I 100% agree after 65 there should be no liscense required and all veterans should be able to get a free liscense in all 50 states. They have laid there life on the line for our way of life. Let's be thankful and respect them.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yelim
I for one am both. Thank you CL.
FWC moves forward on new bass regulations.
Commission moves forward with considering innovative bass regulations
I am happy with those changes. Not wild about the special permits for tournaments. Now we need enforcement.Quote:
Originally Posted by fishwalton
With out enforcement all the rules don`t matter. fwc needs more manpower to cover all the fishing, hunting. in winter there is a lot going on, summer isn`t as bad. hats off to them for doing the best they can.
FWC does what they can on enforcement but as we know the Wildlife Officer force is spread pretty thin across the state. We can all help and should when obvious serious violations are noticed. I keep the enforcement hot line number in my cell phone but have never used it.
So far as crappie goes on size and numbers I have come almost full circle on the subject. Slab published an article here on the forum by Bernard Williams that got my attention. See http://www.crappie.com/crappie/conte...comments_start
Maybe it's time for more crappie anglers to slow down catching long enough to think about the future of the fishery. Just my 2 cents worth!
Are there really that many people that actually catch a limit, let alone keep that limit these days? I could respect the tournament idea of only having the tournament limit on board and those must be released alive after weigh in. Also how many do you have in your freezer? I have five Crappie and one Bass. Without enforcement laws mean nothing.
I agree to the T exactly every comment you just stated Yelim. A limit does not come easily day in and day out. Some days are simple and can do nothing to keep em off yer hook or jumping in the boat, other days I start looking for dynamite just to wake em up. Without some means of self regulating all the laws mean nothing. If it was easy to enforce all laws, there would be zero crime in the world, well parts of the world anyway.
In the past 3 years I have caught a limit of keepers only one time. That's a pile of fish A dozen is also a pile of fish for me to clean, etc. On enforcement as a general rule I agree without enforcement laws don't mean much of anything to the poaches and outlaws. But I believe the vast majority are law abiding and will follow the rules whatever they area. Also, self regulating does work as we have seen in the bass fishery with catch and release. It's to the point now there has been so much releasing Florida is about to change the rules as Alabama has already done that encourages keeping small fish.Quote:
Originally Posted by Yelim
Catch 25 slabs?... never have.