The Chick is a low land type of flood control lake with new soil and nutrients comming in all the time. This is good for all fish species and inparticular the shad. In the water temps in the low 40* range, you can see the millions and millions of shad in this lake and especially on the Hiwassee. This is the primary food for all three bass species, all specie of stripe, catfish, and is especially good food for the Crappie. These shad are lethargic in the cold water and easy prey for the Crappie just before their pre spawn. Crappie grow extremely fast here and I am glad because they get extreme pressure from the fishermen every year as well. I too have seen the many small Crappie and I am excited about the years to come. I thought that the drought would have hurt them but it now appears not so. We should experience good fishing for the Arkansas or Black Nose ( never stocked but some escaped from the Sugar CreeK Hatchery ) as well as the Whites as these conditions are perfect. It is not the best for Black Crappie although some are caught regularly. Black Crappie prefer the high land type lakes with much rock structure such as Watts Bar. Overall I would say the Chicamauga Crappie are very healthy.