Whiteville Lake

[jmeador]

The last couple trips to the lake I have caught some of those Magnolia Crappie. Should I let them back. Crappie at that lake are long and lean, so I take it that the forage is slim. Not sure if me taking those crappie is hurting or helping the lake. I enjoy fishing that lake the water is clean with great tasting fish, but the meat is slim, but I'm looking at the long term of this lake. This lake now has an eight inch limit, but I understand with proper management this will help the lake. Most of the fish I catch are at least 12 inches, but slim filets. Is the purpose of those fish to stay in the lake or be taken?

[CrappiePappy]

JM ... I doubt those are true "Magnolia Crappie". They're more likely Blacknose Black Crappie that have been stocked in the lake.

If they are true Magnolia Crappie ... they're put & take fish, because they're sterile hybrids and won't reproduce.
Blacknose will reproduce, as they are simply a strain of Black Crappie that have a pigment gene that produces the black stripe down their face. They are the most widely used "stocking" Crappie in Tenn waters.

If they are "thin" for their length, you're probably correct that there isn't enough food available for them. And if you're only catching 12" fish, then they may be eating their own fry to survive. But, if they've implemented a 8" size limit ... maybe you're just lucky at catching the 'big' ones ?

... cp

[Tn Johnboy]

Several of our little state lakes are at 8 inch size limit now. Overstocked they say. CP is right they are Black nose.

[Cane Pole]

I need to go to the little lakes and git sum 8 inchers . Can't catch anything over 6 inches @ Big Sandy.

[Adcarson79]

I'm pretty sure that's the reason they are so small. I've never caught one that looked especially healthy at whiteville. I thinks it's because of the lack of structure in the lake. There are virtually no downed trees, no stumps, no drop-offs and no lily pads for baitfish to hide and reproduce. Not to mention there are a ton of small bass in the lake. Seems like it is overrun. I usually catch 8-10" fish there, not many 12". We have tried apider rigging jigs and pushing cranks, minnows but can never really find them. Seems like the most we can catch in 6 hours is about 20. Any advice? I'm thinking about making some pallet stake beds and dropping them this winter so I can troll over them in the spring and summer

[CrappiePappy]

I'm thinking about making some pallet stake beds and dropping them this winter so I can troll over them in the spring and summer

I'd check with the TWRA, first ... just to be "legal". They own/manage the lake, so they may have restrictions on "adding" anything.

... cp

[Alphahawk]

I fished Whiteville Lake a lot from 2001-2004. It was that way then. I doubt it will ever produce big crappie. If you like to eat them take them out...will do nothing but help the lake.

Regards

[jimp]

Thinking I've read that one or more of the popular (good) COE lakes in MS does not have much structure which makes cranking and rigging popular and productive with good size fish. What would be the difference then ?

[trypman1]

The 8" length was set to reduce crappie count. Whiteville is a shallow lake. Does not have a large area.

[jmeador]

Thanks for all of replies. I am open for suggestions to a decent crappie lake in Lower West Tennessee.