Fishman Dan I had also had a crappie problem in my pond. When we acquired the pond we did not find any top line predators. Crappie were filling the role, but they were poorly controlling the various sunfish populations. The size distribution of the crappie was 95% 5-7" and 5% 13-15". The pond was filled with 3-4" BG and Pumpkinseed.

The Crappie co exist with the sunfish, but neither population was desirable from a fishing/harvest perspective. My 3/4 acre pond allowed the stunting of the populations to occur in a three year period.

I have since added LMB and culled every single Crappie I caught. I took out close to 60 last year in the catch rate has dropped to one in 30 fish. A year and half after the LMB I now have YOY fish in the pond that were non-existent two years ago and the size distribution of the fish is much more varied. As a whole the pond is a lot better half W/OUT the Crappie.

Now with your lake IMO you are dead on about forage population allowing the Crappie to fly under the radar.

Before the addition of the CNBG and Tilapia your LMB kept the Crappie in check. Generally LMB and Crappie will not occupy the exact same habitat whereas the CNBG will. I think that has a lot to do with it. With all that water I think the Crappie will have some room unless you start removing them or bass start crowding.

If you like the Crappie then just thin them a bit. Catching a big Crappie is fun and they are great eating.