Size Limit for Crappie on Indiana Lakes ?

No

NO

The guys down south love the Slot limits for Bass, and the Size Limits for Crappie.

I love the 10 inch Size Limit here on Kentucky Lake.


I probably release about 99% of the Fish I catch, many are over 10 inches, but I still release them so they can grow another year.

I was actually thinking the INDR was talking about this last year.



They were also talking about building stake beds in certain lakes for fish Habitat.



Size Limits save fish, and allow them to grow another year. Some lakes have too many small Crappie. That is because those lakes have unhealthy fish populations. Those lakes do not have enough predatory fish like Bass to eat the small Crappie.

Those lakes need stricter rules, slot limits, or stricter size limits for Bass, so the Bass will survive.


Many lakes are not managed properly or at all, that is why they have so many small Crappie.



Everyone complians about the small Crappie in Lake Monroe. The reason there are so many small Crappie in Lake Monroe is probably because there are not enough Bass and predatory fish to eat the small Crappie and to control their numbers.


If Monroe had more Bass, then they would eat a lot of the small Crappie. Then Monroe would start to have a much healthier Crappie population. Then Size limits on Crappie could be put into place, then the lake would start to become a trophy Crappie lake.


The reason Monroe does not have enough Bass is because of over fishing, lack of grass, stumps and habitat, and liberal rules, limits. That lake needs a strict Slot Limit or size limit for Bass, so they can survive.

I definitely wouldn't support this. I think if it's big enough to clean, then it's big enough to keep. I think an individual knows what they can personally clean. I think it should be this way for most fish although I know a lot of people would disagree. Your overall limit is more important than size in my opinion. I don't think we have any sort of problem on our crappie numbers.

That is right, and the DNR was not talking about a size limit on crappie in Indiana that I am aware of... I'd like to see your reference if that was the case.

As for Lake Monroe, There are a lot of bluegill, and small Crappie.


The Bass fishing can be hard on that lake.


I think the lake is an unbalanced fishery. Too many bluegill, and Crappie and not enough Bass, Walleye, Northern Pike etc, and that probably hurts the entire lake.


If there were more predatory fish, they would eat the shad, eat the small Crappie, as a result the Crappie numbers would be kept in balance. So then there would be less Crappie in the lake fighting each other over food. I think this would help the Crappie that would be in the lake, to grow larger.

Then that is where the Size Limit would help.


I think all lakes need to have well rounded fish populations of every species.


KY Lake has a lot of Largemouth Bass, Smallmouth Bass, Yellow Bass, White Bass, Stripped Bass, Catfish, Sauger, Crappie, Redear, and Bluegill.


All of those predatory fish, keep the Crappie numbers in balance.


It's the same with Deer hunting, limit the number of Deer, then the Deer don't have to compete as much for food. Then the remaining Deer are likely to grow larger, and your hunting area will have better genetics and deer size after a few years.

He seems to have all of the answers!

Just my thoughts.. Bass are at or near the top of the food chain and are needed to help control more prolific spawners.
When bass populations get out of control in state waters the DNR will put a slot limit on them.