Pond Boss Forums MANAGING AN EXISTING POND Evaluating and adjusting fish populations Crappies, cull or not to cull

1morecast: In addition to what Mark said - crappies have a lot more eggs at a younger age and smaller body size than largemouth. Example: Crappie start spawning at 6" to 7.5" long compared to bass that don't start spawning until about 12" to 14" long. A 13" crappie can lay up to 325,000 eggs per female whereas reproducing female largemouths lay 2,000 eggs for small females to large females 20,000 eggs. See how baby crappies can quickly outnumber and compete heavily with baby largermouths. Plus as Mark said, crappies are hatched earlier and get a headstart on the food items, thinning it down before the hatchling largemouths "hit the scene".. . BC