Data being collected may lead to changes in crappie regulations

Crappie are a popular sport fish in Missouri. One reason crappies are so popular is their eagerness to bite. They are fun to catch and great to eat.

At DeLaney Lake, north of Charleston, Mo., crappie are numerous, but the population is comprised of mainly smaller sized fish -- less than 9 inches. At Cypress Lake on Otter Slough Conservation Area, near Dexter, Mo., the crappie population is also comprised of mainly small fish.

According to our fish population surveys, it appears that anglers may be harvesting a high percentage of the crappie. Also, some anglers at these lakes have inquired about implementing a minimum length limit on crappie. Minimum length limits have proven effective on some of Missouri's large reservoirs.

Before considering a minimum length limit, biologists need information on growth, harvest and angler opinions. In Cypress Lake and DeLaney Lake, crappie growth is very good with fish averaging more than nine inches at age 3.

To determine angler harvest at DeLaney Lake, a two-year crappie tagging study was initiated in 2003. In March 2003, 425 crappie were tagged, just below the dorsal fin with a spaghetti tag. These tags get their name because they look like a one-inch piece of spaghetti. The tags were worth $10 (95 percent), $25 (4 percent), or $100 (1 percent) if returned to the Department of Conservation. Analysis of the 2003 tag returns, indicates that anglers keep the majority of crappie that are larger than 7.5 inches.

In March 2004, another 425 crappie were tagged.

At Cypress Lake, Department of Conservation personnel are conducting on-site angler interviews. During these interviews, creel clerks record the fish species, sizes and number of fish an angler has caught. They also record the angler's opinion on possible crappie regulations. Currently, we are still collecting angler data information at both lakes. By this fall, enough should be known to make the final decision regarding regulation changes.

For additional information pertaining to these studies or to comment on a possible regulation change, please contact either: Paul Cieslewicz at paul.cieslewicz@mdc.mo.gov (DeLaney Lake) or Mike Reed at mike.reed@mdc.mo.gov (Cypress Lake) or 573-290-5730.

Paul Cieslewicz is a fisheries biologist for the Missouri Department of Conservation.