Thread: Wow! I Didnt Know This!!

At 14 they sure taste good!

It’s been several years ago, but SCDNR did a study on the crappie caught after one of South Carolina Crappie Association’s tournaments on Lake Murray. This was probably close to 10 years ago now. They studied fish donated to them after the weigh in. I remember there was a 2.40ish caught and I believe that fish was 11 years old. Another 2lber was 8 years old if I remember correctly.

I don’t know if there’s a hard fast rule in size and age. I would think it depends on the body of water and the location too. For instance, you could have a pond with a ton of stunted little fish that could be “old”. Genetics play a large role in it too IMO. Some fish would never reach 3lb in their lifetimes if left alone while others could potentially get to 4-5lb….no different than deer. I’m sure there are “culls” in the fish world but no way to identify.

Very interesting topic. I heard sometime a go that a crappie could put on a pound a year if the conditions were perfect.



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Food plays the biggest role. Fish that are in high food density water, specifically oily fatty fish like shad chubs and shiners, will grow much faster and larger than those living off of panfish fry and bugs.

There is one lake in Minnesota where the fish growth is incredible. Biologists are studying it regularly trying to figure out why the fish grow up to 10 times faster than water 5 miles away. They have netted 20"+ walleye that are 2 years old (typical 2yr old is about 11"). And 12" crappies also two years old (typical 2yr old is 7" in mn). Is called Cannon Lake if anyone wants to look it up. Remember this is a lake that is sub 40 deg water temp for 6 months as well.



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The link SuperDave posted is really good. That guy had an earlier interview where he talked more about growth rates.


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Originally Posted by tackleboat

The link SuperDave posted is really good. That guy had an earlier interview where he talked more about growth rates.


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This one?

I don’t feel that info you shared is accurate for southern lakes, maybe possible up north.

Crappie grow on average about 2 inches per year. However, this rate is faster during the first two years when they can reach up to 8 inches in that time, after that it slows down until the average 2 inches per year are reached.

Since we are discussing crappie and have a wide range of opinions I’m throwing this out!! The fish I cleaned on then 1/11 had smaller egg sacs than the ones I cleaned in November. Actually the sacs were tiny. I found this to be strange.


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From all the discussions I think now it's a matter of choice if you want to release the bigger crappie. It's sorta like letting a big ole buck walk thinking he might be bigger next year. Maybe they'll survive another year, maybe not. Atleast they got to pass their genes along over the years of their prime.

Originally Posted by gabowman

From all the discussions I think now it's a matter of choice if you want to release the bigger crappie. It's sorta like letting a big ole buck walk thinking he might be bigger next year. Maybe they'll survive another year, maybe not. Atleast they got to pass their genes along over the years of their prime.

You always have this right, unless the law says differently. You bought a fishing license, you caught the fish, its yours to do what you please.

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Totally agree. Right now I got too many fillets in my freezer so anything filleting sized gets to go back. But the fish from 9"-10" are in trouble because I dont have any fish to eat "off the bone".....my favorites.