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I would like to hear some ideas as to what we as fishermen could do to help raise the average size of crappie caught here on Lake Nimrod. The last report that I heard was that crappie caught during the last trap netting done by the G&F proved that the crappie in this lake are capable of fast growth. But why are we plagued with so many small ones that you have to catch 70 or 80 to get a decent limit?
I would like to here any and all comments and hopefully a few biologist will chime in.
For more information about their sampling results call Frank Leone at 1-877-967-7577 (AGFC Russellville office)
I spoke to a fish biologist with the North Carolina Department of Wildlife Resources Commission years ago about the subject who said that crappie species in some of the smaller North Carolina lakes and reservoirs sustain an annual harvest of as many as 30-40 percent of the entire 3 year old and older adult population. This should begin to show you that heavy fishing pressure (year around) over a period of just one year… can easily eradicate almost half of all mature fish in a heavily fished lake or waterway. If you look at the equation over two years time you can see that it is reasonable to think that 70-80% of all mature fish might be removed from these lakes.
He went on to say: "Over-harvesting clearly affects the fish size ratios of a lake and "I think a lot of anglers assume crappies are an unlimited resource that can't be over-harvested, but that's quite simply not the case at all. Crappies are prone to what is known as stunting. Because a strong year-class often dominates in a lake or reservoir, crappie might appear some years to be all of the same size or “stunted” (As you are indicating is the case in this thread). When these fish of a strong year-class grow large, however, the lake can quickly gain a reputation as a crappie hot spot which tends to draw more fishing pressure as the word gets around and then over the course of a couple of more years might just as quickly fade into mediocrity as a younger year class takes over again and the population crashes and the cycle starts all over again. This cycle is why you hear so much about lakes tending to have (either) a few really nice crappies and lots of small ones, or a good number of good-sized fish with few small or large ones.”
It is well known that crappie populations are cyclic or erratic in (both) abundance and size distribution in any lake or waterway as indicated above. When a strong year class develops in a lake, it can dominate the population for several years. Reproduction is limited and survival of young crappie is low until the dominant year class has been thinned out or environmental and hydrological conditions again become favorable for survival of young crappie. This pattern usually results (as a general rule of thumb) in two to three years of good fishing followed by two to three years of fair to poor fishing… which may be the part of the crappie life cycle where your area lake is this year and the total cause of what you are observing.
Hey Dave, you know nimrod is a great fishery every year. Start eating the little ones and let any over 12" go. That way there will be more big ones for me. LoL.
I agree with Jeremy, call Frank. He is the most familiar with the crappie population data on Nimrod.Quote:
Originally Posted by Mojorig
Keep them little ones. Nothing wrong with them
Some good info and thanks for the contacts. It's been so long since I fished Jerry I bought forgot what they taste like! I'll be out there soon though. Little work on my trailer and she'll be ready.
Nice. We ve been catching them. Eating our share of those little ones too. I'm just glad they are out of the trees.
We have way too many big spawns which can slow growth and tremendous fishing pressure which removes the big ones. Folks keeping the smaller ones but even more so the Black Crappie which tend to stay small for the biggest part , should help. I used to be against folks keeping too many small fish . The 10'' min length years back did not help . I still have a self imposed limit of 10'' Crappie The folks just wanting fish should target the Black Crappie which hold more on wood and few make the 10'' length but are fat right now .
Them small ones eat good whole. Sounds like a bunch of fish fries awaiting!!!
They have OVER populated and have stunted. Die of old age and never get to ten inches. The MOST common problem with Crappie. JMO. And a FACT.
My dad has always said "he's bigger than a butter bean and you eat butter beans, don't you?" He would rather CATCH a bunch of big ones, but he'd rather EAT a bunch of little ones. He calls them "scrapers" even though he rarely scrapes them. I, personally, like to scrape them and then fillet them so you get the flavor of "skin on" fish without the bones. He's right, though, as the little fillets hold more meal than a big flaky fillet would and they cook much faster. Those little ones float up much faster in the hot oil. Just like pork skins.Quote:
Originally Posted by jtresn
My wife and kids like the big thick fillets that we cut into "fish sticks."
They all all go good with some taters and maybe a big pot of peas and cornbread........or maybe some fried okra.........or maybe some burnt squash n onions. Oh, and some sliced maters and purple onion.
GTT
Which means start keeping a big mess of scrapers and get them out of the food chain of the lake and into the food chain on the supper table! I believe you are exactly 100% correct, blackfish.Quote:
Originally Posted by blackfish
We have three gravel pit farm ponds on my dad's old home place in Bearden. When I was young back in the 70's, we could catch big fish in them. Big bass, crappie, and bluegill were plentiful. In those days, Grandpa & Grandma caught fish and kept them and ate them regularly. So did my uncles, aunts, cousins, and their friends. Now all these years later, those people are all gone and the ponds get fished maybe twice a year and they are absolutely full of little dink bluegills, cigar size bass, and turtles. If you can catch a decent size fish, he's thin and poor. The ponds are fun for kids because a cork doesn't stay up long, but the days of getting your line really stretched in them is over. GTT
Thank u sir! Man's attempt to adjust Mother Nature always FAILS!
I like what Nimrod's said too many little ones eat them
Quote:
Originally Posted by blackfish
I am agreeing with this statement. I have seen it in my reservoirs too may times now. Its a popular fishing lake, but not popular enough especially on high water years like this year where they should have had an EXCELLENT spawn. That should only make things worse. The lake either needs more fishermen, or a couple bad spawn years. Either or would work. So us fellow c.com members need to get a thing going and start smoking nimrod! Look at the size of the fish that come out of Mississippi, But also look at the pressure those lakes get! Once a class is established and pressure is applied, that lake could be the next BIG deal!
Of course when a class is established and things get right, Then size and creel limits should be applied accordingly.
That could help if you kept the smaller fish but when all big fish removed can just make it worse .:twocentsQuote:
Originally Posted by LowePro
Yall don't worry I will get the small ones.
Me too! Im going their to do my duty as soon as the rear-end in my truck is fixed!Quote:
Originally Posted by shawnh
Attachment 212497
I think I have the solution!!!!! [emoji12]
Someone send me a pm where the little ones are on nimrod. I bet I had 8 people at another ramp today ask "you ever been to nimrod" to which I replied, yes but didn't kill many ducks.
Being able to catch 60-100 fish a day would be a problem I would like to have here on Greers
Don't get me wrong it's fun to catch 60 or 70 a day but I just wish the average size was 3/4 lb or so. I listen to all the old timers talk about this lake in its heyday when 2 lbers were the norm. Has a lake ever successfully been restored to better quality crappie when they get to this condition. It's only 3550 acres at normal pool.
It was lots better years ago but I been here since early 1970's and never remember 2 lbs being the norm. But when it was a new lake they say it was awsome in the early years . Being filled up in 1942 it is way past it's prime and will never be what it was . Only thing that could change it would be a 10' permenant raise in level . But that is out of the question because it's main purpose is flood control . The level used to be 343 spring and 342 fall , but some had the idea if it was up in the brush it could help fishing. It was changed to 345 spring and 342 fall levels . No one knows for sure but now most of the shoreline brush is dead and gone . Some say it was floods drowned it out , some raised spring level , and even a few suspect herbicide run off from near by lands . I can remember Button Willows , Willows , and Iornwood bushes lining most of the backs of coves and shoreline . Now it is mostly rock and clay bare banks for the most part . Erosion from clear cuts , roads , and floods have all but filled in most of the creeks. The stumps are becoming harder to find as we loose some every drawdown as they wash loose dry out and float up when lake is refilled . Only thing that I feel will help is loading the lake up with cover to replace what is lost or silted over . Flooded areas produce huge spawns most years but we will never see the big fish like in a new lake . Nimrod recieves a termendous amount of pressure with all the spider riggingers and like you said it is not a big lake at normal pool .. With huge amounts of small fish and most of the better oines pulled out it will never be a big fish lake . Afraid after the next year or two when better fish caught off the small Bass and Crappie from this summer's spawn may be in trouble . Once Shad grow too large for them they may become stunted .Quote:
Originally Posted by slabbandit
Sorry for long post but I've seen alot on this lake in well over 40 years of fishing it .
I think the lake is in great shape and the crappie are the fattest and health'ist looking I have seen them in years. Plenty of times I have went though very few little ones to catch a mess of keeper plus fish. Just got to find them and figure out how to fish for them. Let them little ones grow up for now.... because they are getting plenty of food and looking fat and healthy.
I didn't mean to mislead anyone in to thinking that every fish caught years ago were 2 lbers but they were caught with some regularity. I got in on the tail end of this in the late 80's when I started fishing this lake.
I'm no biologist but isn't the type of shad we have here mostly gizzard shad which eventual grow to large for crappie to eat?
We have the same problem with our lake here in NEA. It is only 660 acre. Was told to keep the little one but feel with the pressure it get it may be the wrong advice.I wish there was a answer but more important somebody give us the answer. If it is limits on creel or length, post it at the ramp. We will follow the rules. Us guys up here are limited to were we can fish without driving 2 hours.I would hate to mess up what we have.
Just my 2cent
Slabbandit, I see your concern about Nimrod, and I have heard a lot of different reasons for over-population and stunted growth, but none of the reasons or conversations came from biologists or experts with real practical experience in these matters. No offense to the game and fish people, but I have seen them make decisions that appeared detrimental to some lakes. However, I would like to hear more from the biologists or game and fish which have knowledge of Lake Nimrod.
Don't know what percentage but lake is loaded with Gizzard Shad and they get too big fast . Just a couple years ago I started finding 3 to 5'' Crappie in Crappie where the norm is Shad . They will eat what is available but makes me think most Shad had gotten too big . Just think how much it takes to feed the millions of small Bass and Crappie hatched off this summer not counting everything else feeding out there . I know another lake that it happens to near by, some years the Bass have huge spawns and they get stunted, Seen 10'' Crappie so poor you would not want to keep them . You see the bigger fish do well cause they have plenty of food after the small ones are left with mostly forage too large to utilize.Quote:
Originally Posted by slabbandit
Nothing a few dozen flatheads wouldn't solve :biggrin
The best person to talk too is Frank Leone in the Russelville Office. He is the biologist that know this lake the best. I have a staff meeting the next two days and I will see him. I will ask him what he thinks and let y'all know what he says. He may just say for y'all to call him.Quote:
Originally Posted by RLCRAPPIE
Thanks MattQuote:
Originally Posted by D10
Yea, thanks Matt, that would be awesome to hear what he has to say.
I talked to Frank. He said that Nimrod's crappie population is characterized by high recruitment, slow growth, and not enough harvest. Those were his words exactly. He also said that he thought the creel changing from 20 to 30 should help if anglers would harvest that many crappie. He plans on sampling the crappie population on nimrod this fall. I still encourage everyone to call Frank Leone directly if you would like more information.
EXACTLY WHAT I BEEN TELLING THE SMALL ONES GET TOO CROWDED WITH HUGE SPAWNS AND SLOWS GROWTH . THESE LARGE SPAWNS CAN BE CONTERPRODUCTIVE IN THE LONG TERM , TOO MANY MOUTHS TO FEED AND THE MAJOR FOOD SOURCE IS SHAD WHICH CAN GET TOO LARGE LATER ON FOR THE SMALLER FISH .Quote:
Originally Posted by D10
Don't shoot the messenger. Y'all asked what he thought and I found out for you. To be honest, I could have told you what was going on without seeing data. I just didn't want to step on another biologists toes.
Great job Matt! Thanx for the report!
Thanks Matt , glad you basically backed up what I was posting . This has happened often on this lake after a high water event and this one lasted longer than ever this summer . Folks saying the lake was in good shape are not looking at the long term .Once the bigger fish are caught (which most are in great shape ) and the smaller ones will run into problems with lack of small sized forage lacking later on .Quote:
Originally Posted by D10
The other pattern that I have recently picked up on and am attempting to document it that high water years not only produce an abundant spawn of crappie and bass, it also results in a ton if shad. This is great initially. Then you have some sub par shad production years due to lower water levels and the great year class of crappie and bass that previously had plenty to eat, have nothing to eat.