How Many Are We Taking Out?

[xXBurnUnitXx]

I was just wondering how many crappie and other species are we really taking out of the lake each year. Has the TWRA done a survey like this of how many of each species we are taking out each year and how many are being hatched each year? I'm very curious. Im not here to point fingers at people who take home fish (thats not what I'm getting at here) I'm just curious of the estimate numbers....i know theres no way to tell exactly but it makes me wonder when I sit and think about how many fish are being taken out each day. (Again, I'm not trying to start a feud here). Thanks

[hatchieman]

I know what you mean, when the limit is 30 and you got 2-3 people per boat with like 8-12 poles hanging out every direction, at some point i would think it would have to hurt the fishing, I wonder what would happen if they went to a 15 crappie limit with a 12" size how that would affect the fishing on KY lake. any thoughts? plus to many out of state boats lately.

[M R Dux]

I think the biologists at TWRA and KY F&W keep a close eye on the populations and the effect of not only fishing but environmental issues such as TVA dropping the lake level during the spawn and its effects on populations. I figure the limits are set to where folks taking their legal amount of fish won't have an adverse effect. It's the illegal take that worries me as much as anything besides the lack of concern from TVA/Corps.

This forum consists of many of the best fishermen and women on each lake that is represented. I seriously doubt the AVERAGE crappie fisherman on each of the lakes rarely catches a limit of anything. I would say that point is also figured into the biologists formulas for catch rates and regulations.

[fishincrazy]

If I recall the limit in KY on crappie on Kentucky and Barkley is 20. In TN it is 30. Sure wish TN would go to the 20. 40 fillets is a LOT of fish.

[Kingfish1]

I think the biologists at TWRA and KY F&W keep a close eye on the populations and the effect of not only fishing but environmental issues such as TVA dropping the lake level during the spawn and its effects on populations. I figure the limits are set to where folks taking their legal amount of fish won't have an adverse effect. It's the illegal take that worries me as much as anything besides the lack of concern from TVA/Corps.

This forum consists of many of the best fishermen and women on each lake that is represented. I seriously doubt the AVERAGE crappie fisherman on each of the lakes rarely catches a limit of anything. I would say that point is also figured into the biologists formulas for catch rates and regulations.

I have gone with the TWRA "Shock" "Stun" boats before. Yes they keep up with the health of the entire TN State water system. All species are collected, weighed and measured. At the end of the day totals are keep for each species. They then compare the numbers with previous years for any necessary adjustments or suggestions. They are trained and schooled a lot more than me. I fish with their recommended size and creel limits. Kingfish

[M R Dux]

If I recall the limit in KY on crappie on Kentucky and Barkley is 20.

You are correct. They must be 10 inches in both KY and reciprocal waters.

[Mrs. Crappie Stalker]

If I recall the limit in KY on crappie on Kentucky and Barkley is 20. In TN it is 30. Sure wish TN would go to the 20. 40 fillets is a LOT of fish.

It's 30 only in certain waters, mainly in the western part of the state. In the middle to eastern part of the state it's 15 or 20, I forget which.

[sailfish1]

I have thought about the same thing, but when you go out and catch 100-150 short fish per day for every limit, I think the populations are pretty healty, at least around here .Plus i think the lake itself is a factor. Lakes with grass bieng more fertile and all. just my opinion

[BigDfromTenn]

It's 30 on reelfoot also with no size limit. I always use the 10 inch rule no matter where i fish just wished the foot had a length limit. I see people catch a 7 or 8 inch fish all the time and it always goes in the box, I guess to each his own just wish they would lower the limit to 20 and add a lenght limit to at 10 inches but don't guess it'll ever happen in my life time...

[crappiehoarder]

It hasn't been that long ago that there was no size limit or creel limit on reelfoot. I think the biologists know what they are doing.