Page 11 - Crappie NOW | September 2015
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Stocking for Crappie Success
well, because just prior to that time is the best established to create more consistent crappie
time to run trap nets in reservoirs to assess fishing from year to year. A 10-inch crappie is
year-class strength from the previous spring’s three years old, on average, in Tennessee.
spawn. By analyzing results from October By protecting fish to age three, the regulation
trap-netting samples, biologists can determine allows most fish to spawn at least once. It also
which reservoirs produced the weakest year helps prevent weaker year classes from being
classes and stock the fish in the reservoirs wiped out by angling pressure before new
where they will provide the most benefit that year classes can even reach catchable size.
particular year. Nationally, crappie still seem to be seen
Spring electroshocking, creel survey by fisheries divisions as fish that just naturally
work and casual information from anglers occur in large numbers and that require
provide an ongoing look at the success minimal management. Although it’s true that
of crappie stocking throughout the state, populations generally will continue to exist
allowing TWRA to continually increase their without special measures and that some will
understanding and refine their stocking thrive at times, active management can hugely
strategies. Trap-netting also provides a bit of impact opportunities for anglers.
information about adult crappie populations, Tennessee Crappie Fishing Now
but the nets are definitely designed and The TWRA recognizes the importance
placed to target first-year fish, and the primary of crappie, and clearly prioritizes crappie
function of those samples is to measure the management. According to the agency’s data,
strength of the new year class. crappie fishing ranks second only to bass
Beyond stocking, TWRA has been fishing in popularity in the state’s reservoirs,
proactive with crappie management through accounting for 30 percent of all targeted
its regulations structure. Many states have effort. The total value of the statewide fishery,
no minimum length or a very small minimum based on annual angler expenditures, is
length for crappie. Tennessee’s statewide approximately $7 million.
10-inch minimum length (which has a few
exceptions), like the stocking program, was - By Jeff Samsel
11 Crappie NOW September 2015
