I like jpsdad's comment/idea of "The lake has found a niche and grows great Crappie and panfish-like LMB. There are some who might really enjoy the Crappie and don't mind harvesting the LMB as though they are panfish. I (jpsdad) for one wouldn't mind it particularly because the lake seems geared to do that on its own with little or no management. IOWs, the environment seems conducive to producing memorable Crappie and abundant small LMB."
The current fishery balance situation is geared to the large crappie (BCP) and use of 'panfish type" LMB. LMB fillets are acceptable guests to dinner for lots of people; especially when LMB are harvested from cooler waters. BCP are favorite panfish for many anglers. The current fishery has numerous benefits. Anglers can always catch lots of bass and or crappie quickly for eating and fun angling action.
As jpsdad aptly mentions "" The crappie utilize a lot of foods that the LMB do not process very well. Think small invertebrates.""
Crappie can thrive well on eating medium to large zooplankton by filtering or "pumping" water through their long numerous closely placed gill rakers to capture / collect zooplankton. Gill raker configuration of small adult LMB cannot do the same type of water filtering as crappie. Thus as noted BCP can thrive in a bass crowed BCP-LMB community if the water produces ample zooplankton.
jpsdad's management ideas noted above are good possible options.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 08/05/23 09:30 AM.
