Where have all the crappie gone?

[Borch]

 Originally Posted By: BLACKJACK

 Originally Posted By: K Dawg

their just gonna die off in a couple of years.

I've been hearing that for 5 years now yet people keep catching crappies from the '95' class.

I would really dispute that the all the crappies we are catching now are from the 95 yr class. The 98 hatch was good, the 2000 hatch was better. Like I've said many time before the past 3 years that there are multiple year classes represented in the fish we've been catching. Although to be totally sure you'd have to pluck a scale for two for aging processing.

[vaneeck]

Borch has what I think is the most interesting point on this whole topic, what an amazing crappie fishery was Red lake and I hoped they would do some more research on the age, growth of crappies. Really there is not an overabundance of good information on crappie lifespans. I have not heard much about this but I hope the DNR had the chance to do some additional collection of data.

as for the crappie population crash, compare it to another lake with some large crappies like Leech. there are huge crappies but due to the predation on crappies by pike, muskie,walleyes & bass there never is a huge population, despite even having good bays and spawning areas. But that is the point most lakes with large panfish have one thing in common - they have healthy populations of larger predator fish, without this you usually end up with abundant smaller panfish, granted Red was a real oddity for a short period of time they were the top dog and took the place of the top predator.

It would have been interesting if there had not been much fishing pressure on crappies when they were abundant, they would have had a dampening effect on the walleye spawn (eating walleyes kind of a switch?). Dennis Schaup, Mr. walleye at the DNR had research showing that this was going on in a number of lakes with abundant panfish, but all of it is just theories until proven otherwise. Thats what I like about fishing there are just about no sure things.

[PikeTipper]

One thing you have to consider though is how would the DNR continue to stock crappies into Red?

Take a look at how eggs and milt are collected for walleyes and tell me exactly how the DNR would be able to do this with crappies.

[Kyle Sandberg]

Crappies are very tuff to raise. It all starts in the netting. They don't have the gill points like walleyes and perch do so gill nets don' work too well. Thats why in the lake surveys there are never a lot a crappies, usually. Then the proccess of harvesting the milt and eggs is tricky, smaller fish, they spawn in the lake, not a river so its not easy to trap them and so on. URL will see some hatches of crappies but nothing like before.

[GoFish4]

It is easy to say "stock crappies" but where is the state going to get them?? You can't funnel crappies and then strip them of eggs and Milt like a Walleye so stocking was never an option IMO.

[ImissReeds]

GoFish4 you have a great point, people who don't know any better must think there's a crappie milking station on a spawning reed bed on Vermillion or something. There's something to INTRODUCING crappies to a system, but sustaining them through supplemental stocking is just dumb.

As far as your 95 yearclass Blackjack, what are you basing that info on? Guesses from a website? Consult the fisheries biologists that work on the lake and acually do age ID's through scale samples or otilith bone cross sections. Thats the best way.

[GoggleEye]

I have an interesting point to make. Are there any fish cribs in Red lake?? I ask this because I am heavily involved in constructing and placing fish cribs on lakes in WI during the winter for my job. I have seen first-hand how fish cribs can cause a crappie population to explode. There is a lake that we placed 15 cribs in 15 feet of water and before we did this, the crappie population was fair to poor. A few years later and 30 some more cribs later the crappie population is exploding with 10-15 inch slabs which are easy to find around these cribs year round, except during the spawn. So, my question is.....do you guys think that placing numerous fish cribs on red would benefit your crappie population for future years? Also, could these possibly aid in keeping some of the crappies around during the summer rather than having them run for the west basin?? They sure are fish magnets......it just sucks when you get your anchor all wrapped up in them and have to cut the rope

GoggleEye

[LABS4ME]

Lots of cribs in Red... they don't have quite the same draw on Red as the ones you speak of in WI...

Good Luck!

Ken

[GoggleEye]

How are these cribs constructed though?? I have seen some pretty pathetic cribs out there that I wouldn't even call a fish crib. The ones we build are built only with 8-10" wide "green" oak logs. They are fastened together like a "lincoln-log" home with 1/2" rebar. There is no less than five tiers to the crib which makes them a good 4.5 feet to five feet tall. They are then stuffed with 15-20 foot long hardwood branches through the different tiers to lock the brush in for years. We also tie cinder blocks on each corner of the bottom of the crib so that when it goes through the ice it does not tip on it's side. This style of crib is very effective at holding and protecting panfish and juvenile walleye, northern, and musky until they are mature enough to venture out. This style of crib also lasts for many years, much longer than some of the styles placed in some of the lakes.

[LABS4ME]

I don't have time to post the pics right now... maybe Jon or Kelly can (and everyone should give another big Thanks for the cribs) but here is the technical data taken form the URLAA website... they got it together... those cribs will still be there for your kids!

Here you go:

Project Plan Technical Committee Members

(12/29/98, 2/17/99)

Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Section of Fisheries (Dennis Johnson)

Red Lake Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Division

(Pat Brown)

USDA Forest Service (Jeff Allison)

Beltrami Soil and Water Conservation District (Jerry Stensing)

PLAN DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS

Purchase of prefab or "homemade" cribs:

Technical Committee will explore a possible alternative involving utilization of prefab cribs to increase cost-effectiveness, ease of installation, and expedite project completion.

MN. DNR Fisheries will research MN. DNR policies/concerns over using non-biodegradable materials and if prefab cribs can be approved, will address any permit modifications or addendum's.

(1/14/99 Received word from MN. DNR Fisheries that State Policy requires utilization of log cribs.)

Navigational hazard considerations:

Per Special Provisions outlined in DNR Waters Permit # 99-1023, structures shall be placed in areas where tops of cribs will be at least 6 feet below the Ordinary High Water Mark. See: Attached DNR Protected Waters Permit.

(1/22/99 Current lake level will be determined within one week prior to cluster site mapping by a certified civil engineer from the North Central Minnesota Joint Powers Board.)

(2/19/99 Lake level survey completed. Current water surface elevation is 1172.696)

See: Attached Joint Powers Board Survey Record.

Cultural, archaeological or historic resource considerations:

If any shipwrecks are located during site mapping or other stages of the project, all work will cease immediately and the St. Paul District will be contacted for further instruction. All work related to this project will comply with General Permit Authorization and special Provisions outlined in U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Permit # GP-01-Mn.

See: Attached U.S. Army Corps of Engineers Authorization Permit.

(2/23/99 No indication of any shipwrecks was discovered during site mapping in cluster locations)

Methodology for determination of cluster locations:

Interview resort owners and "locals" familiar with the lake to determine their preferences of Cluster Locations based on sites known to historically contain target species of fish and possess desired qualities. This information, combined with navigational hazard, lakebed composition and structure considerations will contribute to final determination of cluster locations. Once preliminary identification of cluster locations has been determined, a point-sampling methodology to record and map water depth, lakebed composition, and existing structural characteristics will be implemented.

(1/12/99 Red Lake Department of Natural Resources has developed a Crib Project Lake Map to assist with identification of cluster site locations. The GIS generated map details the Bathometric Survey, Creeks, Streams, Rivers, Judicial Ditches, Roads, and Section Lines on a Digital Ortho Quad background. (Upon completion of preliminary cluster site identification, cluster center locations will be marked and recorded utilizing GPS technology.)

(2/21/99) Cluster Centers "flagged" using a combination of landmarks, mileage odometer and hand held compass.

(2/23/99) Locations of Cluster Centers "double checked" and confirmed using GPS prior to lakebed mapping.

Preferred existing lakebed structure: (flats, rock piles, gravel bars etc.)

Lakebed structure is not a major factor in determination of cluster locations. However, structure should be recorded, and cluster locations should represent several different structural characteristics to enable future research as to structural relationships to crib effectiveness.

(Preliminary determination of lakebed structure will be identified by a combination of utilization of Crib Project Lake Map and interview of resort owners and "locals" familiar with the lake.)

(2/19/99 Interviews completed and Cluster Center locations determined).

Preferred lakebed: (sand, gravel, rock, muck etc.)

Lakebed composition is not a major factor in determination of cluster locations. However, substrata should be recorded, and cluster locations should represent several different lakebed characteristics and substrata compositions to enable future research as to lakebed relationships to crib effectiveness.

2/16/99 Environmental Protection Agency donated use of Substrata Sampler to the Soil and Water Conservation District for this stage of the project.

2/23/99 Lakebed mapping completed by using the following methodology:

1) Preliminary cluster location sites marked on or near known structural changes.

2) Baseline point samples spaced 100' apart were used to locate substrata or lakebed elevation changes (5 point samples at each of 3 locations).

3) Quadrants were established at right angles on both sides of the baseline, with point samples spaced 100 feet apart in 3 rows within each quadrant.

(24 samples in 2 Quadrants at each of 3 cluster locations)

* All point samples were numbered and information was recorded.

* At each point sample, an aluminum measuring rod was used to determine depth, and substrata composition.

* Substrata samples were taken at sample points representing typical and non-typical substrata composition.

A total of 87 point samples, including 9 substrata samples were recorded, covering a combined total of 16.5 acres.

Cluster Center locations were recorded by Forest Service using GPS accurate to within 1 meter.

See: Attached Cluster Site Maps.

Crib cluster design: (distance between cribs, aspect, relationships to structure etc.) Cluster design will be addressed upon completion of determination of locations and site mapping/data recording. Three different cluster designs may be utilized to enable future research as to cluster design relationships to crib effectiveness.

The north cluster cribs were installed at 100 foot spacing. The south cluster cribs were installed at 150 foot spacing.

The remaining center crib cluster is to be installed at 50 foot spacing and may incorporate two or more “mini-clusters” within the larger cluster.

Crib Design:

Cribs must be constructed in a manner that minimizes potential structural degradation resulting from transportation from staging area to final location, activities related to "sinking" the cribs, natural processes of material decomposition, and the potential of boat anchor "snagging". In addition, potential future maintenance of cribs ("recharging" brush etc). will be addressed in crib design. See: Attached Crib Construction Plan Drawing

1) Crib Dimensions-Cribs shall be constructed to final dimensions not to exceed 8 foot square and 6 feet high.

2) Species of Wood-Cribs shall be constructed with a combination of aspen and balm of gilead. Tamarack was used on the first 40 cribs.

3) Log diameter, length, total volume of wood requirements. Logs shall be 100 inch length and no less than 7 inch average diameter, 22 logs per crib (43.5 cubic feet @ 45.6 pounds per cubic foot), approximately .55 cord per crib,

33 cords total.

4) Binding materials (spikes, staples etc.)-Pre-drill log ends and spike corners of each consecutive layer using 10 inch long "corkscrew" spikes. Connecting surfaces of logs may be "flattened" to leave a minimum of 7 inches log end thickness. The bottom ends of the (four log) first layer may be beveled to facilitate transportation of completed cribs. Pre-drill center of each log on all four sides in each consecutive layer, then "bind" all four sides by "threading" 1/4 inch diameter pliable-stock linear polyethylene through holes, bend over ends and attach on top and bottom logs with 4 to 6 fencing staples on each end.

Regular 10 inch spikes were used, pre-drilling proved ineffective, steel banding was used to bind all four corners.

36 spikes per crib, 2,160 spikes total) (4 each, 8 foot sections linear polyethylene per crib, 240 sections total) (48 staples per crib, 2880 staples total)

5) Crib bottom (wire mesh)-Crib bottom shall be 8 foot wide cement reinforcement mesh lain over the 4 base logs and 2 end logs, then partially wrapped around outer edges and attached with fencing staples every 6 inches. Inside corners will have "block platforms" nailed over mesh to bottom logs to provide added support during transportation of cribs from staging area to final locations. Planned design of wire mesh crib bottoms was eliminated, and blocks were “built in” on two ends.

(10 linear feet mesh per crib, 600 linear feet total.) (100 staples per crib, 6,000 staples total).

(6 each rough cut 1x4x8' green aspen "side lumber" per crib, 360 boards total)

(72 each 16 penny nails per crib, 4,320 nails total)

6) Weighting requirements (10" cinder block)-Each Crib shall have 28 blocks "wired" in clusters of 7 to each inside corner to provide equal weight distribution and offset buoyancy of logs.

Prescribed number of blocks were used, but were “built in” rather than wired in.

(1316#/crib minimum). (28 each 10" concrete cinder blocks per crib, 1680 blocks total)

(1 roll 16 gauge steel tie wire per crib, 60 rolls total)

7) Fill material (alder or willow brush)-Alder and Willow shall be cut in 6 to 8 foot maximum lengths and tightly "bundled" in 2 foot average diameter bundles bound with several "wraps" bailing twine to facilitate transportation, handling and temporary storage of fill material.

Crib "fill" shall consist of 5 "opened" bundles loosely packed in each crib. Brush was hauled “loose” and not bundled,

approximate volume of brush was as planned.

(5 bundles per crib, 300 bundles total)

8) Crib top (wire mesh)-Crib top shall be 8 foot wide cement reinforcement mesh lain over the 4 top logs and partially wrapped around outer edges then attached with fencing staples every 6 inches. Wire mesh crib top was eliminated. Brush was “woven” between log layers which sufficiently “bound” the tops.

(10 linear feet mesh per crib, 600 linear feet total.) (80 staples per crib, 4,800 staples total).

Implementation Considerations:

Access points and Staging areas for materials, construction, and delivery of completed cribs:

Utilize three (closest possible) access points with minimal lakeshore slope. Staging areas should be located as close as possible to access points. Staging areas should provide unrestricted access for tractor-trailer delivery of construction materials, adequate temporary storage of 20 completed cribs, and provide space for laborer parking.

Cribs were built “on-site” which eliminated need for staging areas.

Potential pressure ridges:

Avoid hazardous areas to prevent accidents. Any historically hazardous areas will be identified during the process of cluster location determination, and provisions will be made to minimize potential hazards during the process of installation.

(2/23/99) Potentially hazardous ice consisting of multiple stress fractures and pressure ridges were noted in several areas located approximately 1/4 mile from and parallel to the north shore.

Data Recording: (GPS coordinates, surrounding landscape features, lakebed etc.)

Individual crib locations shall be pre-marked within one week prior to crib installation to facilitate GPS location recording. Lakebed recording will be performed during cluster location mapping. Marking of individual crib locations will be as follows:N1, N2, etc., C1, C2, etc., S1, S2, etc. N = North Cluster, C = Central Cluster. S = South Cluster

1, 2, 3 etc. = Individual Cribs.

(12/29/98 USDA Forest Service will record individual crib locations utilizing a GPS unit accurate to within 1 meter.)

North cluster cribs were individually recorded south cluster corners were recorded. (see attached)

Methodology for "sinking" cribs:

Place individual cribs directly on ice in pre-marked locations. "Loop" 50 foot long guide ropes through each side of top layer to "guide" crib to lake bottom. At a distance of 2 feet from the edges of the crib, utilize a chainsaw with an "ice chain" to cut within 1 inch of the water surface and then use ice chisels or hand operated ice saws to "break" block free. This method will minimize water "splashing". Once ice block has "broke free", use guide ropes to "steady" the crib. Use pike poles to "push" ice from beneath crib to enable "guided sinking".

Ice thickness precluded planned installation methodology. A loader truck was used to push the cut blocks below ice surface and to lower the completed cribs through the opening.

Thin ice marking: (signs, snow fence etc.)

Use "Thin Ice" signs placed 50' to 100' apart around perimeters of cluster locations to clearly mark for safety. Lath and ribbon may also be installed around each hole to increase visibility. Use reflective signs. Leave signs up as long as possible, (end of Feb. or early March.) In addition, Cluster Site Maps will be posted at lake access points and supplied to local business for display.

See: Special provisions DNR Waters Permit # 99-1023.

(12/29/98 MN. DNR Fisheries supplied sign manufacturer list used for DNR lake aeration projects, posts will need to be purchased separately. The number of signs and posts required will be determined by cluster sizes.)

Thin Ice signs were posted, however spacing between signs and the number of signs was determined as inadequate/ unsafe by DNR Fisheries.

Implementation Considerations

Required ice thickness:

A minimum of 12 to 14 inches of "clear" ice is required prior to transporting cribs to their final locations.

Methodology for transporting cribs to final locations:

Temporarily attach "lift chains" to weight-bearing logs on bottom layer of crib. Use a grapple-type loader truck to "grab" lift chains and place crib on dray. Use at least 2 short lengths of chain held by chain binders to secure crib on dray. Transport crib-loaded dray to pre-marked individual crib locations using 4 wheel drive pickup truck with tire chains, or tracked vehicle (bombardier or small crawler-tractor). Use manpower to slide crib off dray at final location.

Cribs were built on site which eliminated need for transporting Project support recommendations: (includes but not limited to)

$1000,000.00 Liability Insurance. Giziibii RC&D purchased policy, is effective until Dec. 2000

Liability Waivers (for access and staging area property owners, vendors, agencies etc.) No liability waivers were used.

Contracts (vendors, service providers, crew leaders etc.) No contracts were used.

A "warming" house for Crib Installation Crew and supplies storage. No warming house was used.

Plowing vendor to maintain access and ice roads during installation. Nominal snow cover precluded need for plowing.

Crib transporting vendor (bombardier preferred). Cribs were built on site.

Crib Loading vendor (loader truck) Jack Bronczyk was hired to “push ice” and lower completed cribs.

"Flow Chart" designating duties and responsibilities. No formal flow chart was used.

Project Coordinator. Kelly Petrowske volunteered as construction/installation coordinator.

Procurement Agent. One person was designated as procurement agent, all receipts were submitted.

Construction Crew Leaders. (hired Leader, volunteer crew) Kelly and Harland Vitalis served as crew leaders.

Installation Crew Leader. (hired Leader, volunteer crew) Kelly and Harland Vitalis served as crew leaders.

Public Relations Person. Jerry Stensing provided media/public relations services.

Keep records of all paid and "in-kind" labor. All workers time and equipment-use donations were recorded.

Follow-up study recommendations: (includes environmental/economic impacts)

Original funding request to Red Lake game Fund included financing a preliminary follow-up study.

However, request amount was not fully-funded so the follow-up study was “dropped.”

Recommended Implementation Supplies:

1 ea. First Aid Kit

1 pair Chainsaw Safety Chaps

3 pair Safety Glasses

3 ea. Hard hats

1 ea. Chainsaw with 16" bar, 1- extra chain, file, and tool kit

1 ea. 4 foot bar and ice chain

1 ea. 1 gallon gas can, mixed gas

1 gallon bar oil

2 ea. 25 foot lengths 3/8" chain with hooks

2 ea. 8 foot lengths 3/8" chain with hooks

2 ea. 3/8" chain binders

1 ea. Gas powered drill

6 ea. 3/8"diameter x 12" long auger bits

1 ea. 6" gas powered Ice Auger

200 feet 1/2 inch diameter Nylon Rope

2 ea. Hand powered Ice Saws

4 ea. Ice Chisels

6 ea. Pike Poles

2 ea. Scoop Shovels

2 ea. 8# Mauls

2 ea. Dray with iron runners (for transporting cribs)

1 ea. 3/8 Staple gun (for tacking signs to lath)

1 ea. Box 3/8 staples

130 ea. Reflective Thin Ice Signs

13 ea. Bundles Lath. (50/bundle)

20 Rolls High visibility ribbon (150'/roll)

6 cords any species 100" pulpwood (for "pile bottoms" to keep cribs off the ground in staging areas)

Construction Materials:

1 roll bailing twine.

60 rolls 16 gauge steel tie wire.

33 cords 7 inch average diameter 100" aspen and/or balm of gilead.

620 pounds 3/8 x 10" "corkscrew" log spikes. (2,160)

240 sections 1/4"x 8' pliable-stock linear polyethylene.

240 pounds 1-3/4" long fencing staples. (13,680)

1200 linear feet 8' wide cement reinforcement mesh.

360 rough sawn 1x4x8' green aspen "side lumber".

75 pounds 16 penny (cement coated sinkers) nails. (4,320)

1680 ea. 10" cement cinder blocks.

300 Bundles 2' diameter 8' long willow and/or alder

** Actual construction was of tamarack , with wire mesh and polyethylene omitted. Cribs were constructed on the ice, “bound” together with regular 10” spikes and then reinforced with steel banding. The cinder blocks were “built in” on two ends. Due to extreme ice thickness, holes were cut completely through in two “blocks” which were then pushed under the ice by the loader truck to open the hole for crib installation.

** Over 700 hours volunteer labor was donated by a total of 60 people to build and install 40 cribs.

** An additional 40 cribs in two more central locations are planned for installation during the winter of 2000.

Good Luck!

Ken

[waska]

so have we come the conclusion that the crappies are way too overfished and havn't been reproducing in the past few years due to the severe spring weather?

before too long they wont even be fishable in url

C&R my friends

[bassphish2005]

one word....WOW...that is some fine info!

[lonefisherman]

There is probably not a fishery alive today that can withstand the fishing pressure that URL has had in the past 10 years. It does not matter how big the lake is. The good ol" days of crappie action the way it was is probably gone unless they have a good spawn like they reported earlier. Could it be that we the fisherman are to blame for overharvesting the population that existed. The resort owners making the money bacause of the boom that existed plus all the fisherman that came from further away have all contributed to the decline that exists today. That might seem to be the nature of what happens when fisherman hear about great fishing on a certain body of water. It seems to happen to a lot of body of waters that experience a good population of a certain fish species that fisherman desire to keep and exploit it to a point where the fishing declines. URL is not exempt from this situation. This is not blaming any one individual group, but just a thought to think about why the Crappie population has declined on URL recently.

[Jarnotski]

We see this kind of trend on all kinds of lake, people are catching nice fish, word gets out, lake gets overfished, next few years are slow. As for Red I truely think the days of going out and pounding monster crappies everytime are over (man those were fun). Thats not to say that once walleye numbers go down there may be more forage for the crappie and less predation thus more crappie. It will be interesting to see what happens with the fishery in the next few years, with the perch we've been catching this year who knows, may turn into a decent perch fishery. One thing I am confident in, there will always be monster pike in URL!

[350cobra]

There is NO WAY you will ever, ever, overfish RED. You are only fishing one small corner of the 2 lakes. One little corner. Everyone looks for all winter fishing,maybe walleye but not crappie, from what I've learned up there its a late Feb to Late Ice deal. When the Perms come off is the usually start of the bite.

[The Donk]

Absolutely agree. Think of all the walleyes that haven't ever made it over the "line" in their whole life. It is such a big lake, there have got to be plenty of other spawning areas other places than the east side of upper.

[Borch]

I don't want to jinx myself but last winter was if not the best, one of the best winters we had on URL for slabs. Definitely the crappie boom appears to be over. But lots of good crappie fishing remains for those who are willing to look for them. Does that mean you'll hammer them everytime out? No, but I can't think of any lake that'll "guarratee that.

Good Luck!

[Scott M]

Just a couple thoughts on this thread from posts over the last week or so

* Never say that Red cannot be overfished. Never say that any body of water cannot be overfished. We live in a world where capture fisheries, some recreational, have dropped species levels to vulnerable, threatened and endangered levels. Walleyes nearly disappeared once on Red and it could happen again. And please don't start on a rant as to how or why the walleye fishery collapsed. That just turns ugly.

* Catch and release of crappies on Red won't change a thing. These are old fish at the end of their life cycles. Why do you keep seeing fish? Well, you will always see fish, you just won't see as many as the year before. It becomes a statistics question. What percent can survive to 12, 13, 14, 15, etc. There are other year classes than 1995, but 95 has dominated the catch.

* Crappie cribs won't cause a population boom. Crappie cribs are a fish aggregation structure. Those familiar with Buck Perry's structure fishing know that fish, like crappie, will relate to those structures. The state put them in as an amenity for use by anglers, like a fishing pier or a boat launch. A couple dozen structures don't amount to much of anything on a lake as large as Red, so they aren't providing additional spawning or predator avoidance habitat. Sinking another 40, or 400, or 4,000 boxes won't bring back more crappies.

I mention these things just so people don't get the wrong idea. I'm not trying to shoot anyone down, just making sure everything is in perspective. I like that people are thinking outside of the box and trying to look for ways to keep these big fish in Red, but they were just a lucky gift from nature to pass the time until walleye came back. Enjoy the tail end of the crappie boom but never give up...there will always be a few nice crappies in the lake. It's a matter of potential. If you want to find some slabs, go big or go home. Red, LOW, Rainy, Kab, Mille Lacs, all the big time lakes have slabs and Red will always have a few too.

Good luck and good fishing.

[crappiekiller77]

 Originally Posted By: Borch

I don't want to jinx myself but last winter was if not the best, one of the best winters we had on URL for slabs. Definitely the crappie boom appears to be over. But lots of good crappie fishing remains for those who are willing to look for them. Does that mean you'll hammer them everytime out? No, but I can't think of any lake that'll "guarratee that.

Good Luck!

Well said.

[lonefisherman]

Just a quick responce to fishermen who don't think that a fishery can be over harvested. When URL seen its glory Crappie days there where at times probably 8000 to 10000 fisherman on the weekends and probably less during the week. If only half the fisherman caught only three crappies figure out the math for yourself as too how many fish where harvested each, day after day. Do you think that the reproduction can keep up with the harvested numbers is a question that may have to be answered. If there where good natural reproduction in the lake you would see Crappies of all sizes. This might not be true on URL right now.

[crappiekiller77]

It's not like it once was, but last year was a good year for me if not the best ever. Timing is everything.

[bieganekbaitco]

As quoted by da_chisa31 "The state put them in as an amenity for use by anglers, like a fishing pier or a boat launch."

The state never put any cribs in the lake, the state only rubberstamped the Permits, The local citizens put them in!!!!!!

[Agronomist_at_IA]

Wow just wanted to know if the crappie were starting to bite. Didn't mean to start a huge disscusion.

[Ron M]

DA_,

Thoughtful and informed. (Except the crib part). Well done.

Now, what are your thoughts on Johan Santana?

[Borch]

 Originally Posted By: Agronomist_at_IA

Wow just wanted to know if the crappie were starting to bite. Didn't mean to start a huge disscusion.

Don't worry about it. Nothing is as simple as it seems at first here in the URL forum.

Btw,

I hear that there are a few slabs going but it's still pretty spotty.

[Chad Halvorson]

Moved 4 times Monday, fished all day, got 1 Crappie right at 530pm. At least I got one for the year I guess. The Crappie I got was out around 8 miles.

1 pound 10 ounces.

[fishuhalik]

Cobra, the crappies haven't been fished out, but they've been fished way, way down. You really had to be there back in the boom days. When I first started fishing the lake around 2000, it was unreal. Most days I went out we'd catch 20-40 per person, all slabs. If 4 of us went up and didn't fill up every time it was a bad trip. I'll never forget our best day out there. 4 guys, 356 fish (yeah, I wrote it down in my journal, i'm sure on the number) smallest was 11" and most between 12 and 14", biggest was 15", our limit didn't have a fish under 13 1/2". And back in those days you could keep 15

Yeah, they're still there, and if you fish it enough you'll have a couple of good days, but i'm not willing to take a 4-5 hour trip up there in hopes of catching a couple of craps per person.