I believe our big 4 could support a yearly stocking of white or triploid crappie. I know Grenada produces plenty of plankton to support the fingerlings. Any interest on here to start a movement we could present to the Commission?
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I believe our big 4 could support a yearly stocking of white or triploid crappie. I know Grenada produces plenty of plankton to support the fingerlings. Any interest on here to start a movement we could present to the Commission?
I would leave them alone and let them cycle. If you could count on catching fish on all of them every year there would
not be room for all the boats.
Just my personal opinion, I would let the biologist make the decisions on what these lakes need. I also believe that the original genetic line of fish that were native to the rivers should not be interfered with unless it becomes an absolute necessity. We had a thread here awhile back and canebreaker sent the MDWFP an email inquiring about the stocking numbers on the big 4, there has only been one lake that has had a need for stocked crappie in all the history of the flood lakes and that was Enid in 2004 I believe it was.
I honestly don't see a need for this but it would fall on deaf ears I think. Not to say they wouldn't listen but they already have pretty strong mindset on this. Problem is not the bad years as far as spawn but the really good years. Right now the way things cycle around most of these lakes are good and most years one is really good with big fish being caught. If you added fingerlings each year then you take the balance out. Between the spillways releasing fish, some years a lot of fish, and a bad spawn from time to time the numbers stay in check.
For most Sardis had a tuff spring but I know of a lot of really good fish that were caught up there, prefishing the ACT we caught some studs. Part of the problem is that a lot of people measure their day by the number of fish they caught wanting limits. I've seem a lot of days this past spring that 10 was a good number with 2 folks fishing, it's all relative to the conditions of the day your fishing, to me anyways. If I'm fishing alone 5 is my goal, that's enough fish for Ms. Tammy and I to have supper.
The Big 4 have their own biologist managing them and they are managed to produce big crappie, that's the goal. Never in fish management have I ever heard of increasing numbers to increase size. The thought pattern has been to manage by size limit, length, and creel limit with pole limit thrown in the mix and I feel they will continue along these lines.
My 2 pennies for what they are worth.
Rees, you are spot on, over here at Weiss lake it used to be a big fish lake, back about 15 or 20 years ago they started stocking the lake, now we have a 10 inch size limit and a 30 fish creel limit. it has become a numbers lake. Most would like to see the size limit increased to 12 inches and creel numbers cut back to 15, to move back in the direction of a big fish lake, but the different groups don't want to do this. as they thing it would hurt their pocket book. Most ever one that you talk to had rather catch 10 big fish than 30 10 inch fish. So you have a big fish lake or a numbers lake.It is just how you manage it.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
I guide several days a year and I always guide with the attitude I want the client to catch the biggest fish of their life, I bet at least 50 percent of the time, most likely higher than that, we pull that off. I don't look at a limit as a successful day, on the water sharing my rig, laughing it up and catching good fish, what it's all about. Watching someone's eyes bug out cause they've never seen a crappie that big is a lot of fun.Quote:
Originally Posted by CrappieFlopper
We are truly blessed here, no doubt about that.
Go to Sardis and tell me it needs stocking. There are literally TONS of short fish there in every spot on the lake. In a year or less, these fish will be harvestable. To many would stunt their growth. All of the Big 4 have healthy populations of smaller fish in them. "If it ain't broke, Don't fix it"!!!
BRM
I'm good with leaving it to mdwfp. Like John said, these lakes do cycle and actually some of us are close enough to have 6 go to lakes if you count Barnett and Washington.
Barnett is not a nice lake to me !!!!!:Rofl
I agree with John, Bill & boat bottom. We are so lucky to have the big 6 lakes.
When you look at the influx of fishermen that come down here to catch big crappie from the States up North, why would you want to mess with it. BRM took my quote. IT AIN'T BROKE down here. We best leave a good thing alone!:twocents
Mother nature has her own way of taking care of things. The biologists that are successful know this and adapt certain practices, and regulations to protect the resource.
Problems begin when "man" with greedy pockets tries to overrule something that isn't broken, pulls strings and influences other "men", and greed begins to take over by overpowering Mother Nature ultimately destroying something that was never broken to begin with.
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Mississippi has the best big crappie lakes in the country bar none, i dont get to fish there that often but when i do id rather catch a few giants than a cooler full of 12 inchers , i would hate to see that get screwerd up by tampering with what is already the best place on the planet day in day out for a chance at a trophy , game and fish commisson in arkansas is in the process of draining what once was a great Bass and Crappie lake because they tampered with mother nature and lost, the lake is having to be completely drained and all fish eraticated and then start all over from scrath ! Dont fix it if it aint broke !
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And Washington ain't nice to me! Ain't never had a good day down there!Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
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What about Arkubutla, most everyone says it has no fish, you think it needs stocking?
To fish butla you got to understand butla. Keep going south and leave her alone.Quote:
Originally Posted by crappie cowboy
Oh I understand Butla, I catch a lot of her crappie in the winter after it has the draw down. The lake is then a quarter of the summer pool size, and my partner'sQuote:
Originally Posted by slabin
and I load the boats. Can't wait til cold weather ...:fish
Well alrighty then. I'll follow the herd. But I have said and will continue to say that Nader is not the lake it used to be. John is right, if I catch 5 keepers after fishing 7-8 hours then I done good. Used to be a lot better than that. Yes I have slowed down but I hope I'm not that bad of a fisherman now. Betweens the Corps, pelicans, and the pressure the lake doesn't hold the numbers of keepers that it used to year round. Stocking tryploid hybrids that don't reproduce would be alright. There's plenty of bait so all populations would not be hurt. Rant over now.
Me either, John. It's my home lake now and I can't catch a crappie on cranks to save my life.Quote:
Originally Posted by Rees Guide
I disagree with grenada not being what it used to.... the last 12-14 years anyway. I have nearly zero experience before then. I personally thinks it's better than I've ever seen it, numbers and size.
I in the if it ain't broke don't fix it crowd.
I think we've probably got the most knowledgeable crappie biologist in the country in Keith Meals, and his staff. I'll go on record as saying I support ANYTHING he suggests as far as size and population control goes. He's done a marvelous job so far in my opinion.
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Lol. Arkabutla, I'm either a hero or a zero up there. I've never had a mediocre day up there. I either fill the boat with giants, or catch 0-3 fish. Lol
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I say put all of the black crappie you can afford in these lakes. Stupid white crappie obviously don't even hang out at the same playground so no harm there
I agree. Grenada ain't the lake it used to be. I have been fishing Grenada since the sixties as a youngster. The lake does not slightly resemble the lake I fished back then. I remember wood. Lots and lots of wood. Not just poles sticking up, but laydowns, and bream beds! And lots of stringers of 9 inch crappie. I miss all the wood, but I like the slab crappie that comes out of the lake. If numbers are what you want, fish elsewhere. There are Plenty of lakes overstocked with crappie in the area for full stringers if that's your goal.........Quote:
Originally Posted by Wadenthebushes
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