Art Lander’s Outdoors: Evaluating Kentucky’s crappie populations, creel limits and regulations
Editor’s Note: This is the third and final article in the three-part series on crappie fishing in Kentucky.
Fishery biologists have three ways of evaluating crappie fisheries to gain a better understanding of catch rates, crappie reproductive success and population trends.
Creel surveys, which are usually conducted from March through October, provide angler input.
Creel clerks talk with anglers...
Art Lander’s Outdoors: Changes in management of Crappie in small lakes and preferred water conditions
Editor’s note: This is the second article in the three-part series on crappie fishing in Kentucky.
In Kentucky, when anglers think crappie, their go-to waters are usually major reservoirs.
But in recent years biologists have found some inventive ways to increase the quality of crappie fisheries in small, state-owned lakes.
Crappie usually don’t do well in small lakes because they get off massive...
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Three productive winter crappie fishing spots for those who enjoy solitude
By Lee McClellan
Special to KyForward
Winter is a season of nesting for many Kentuckians. Hot cocoa and a book by the fireplace is more appealing than getting outside in the wet and cold.
However, for those who enjoy solitude and having lakes completely to themselves, winter is the best time to get outside and fish. Contrary to the stubborn belief of many anglers, fish bite all winter long.
“There...
Art Lander’s Outdoors: Despite uncertain weather, spring is the best time of year to fish for crappie
Every spring, crappie anglers in Kentucky keep their fingers crossed for moderating temperatures and stable water conditions.
But our spring weather is usually unsettled, with a cycle of rain and cold fronts, followed by brisk southwest winds and brief warmups. Despite the up-and-down weather, early April is the start of spring crappie “season.” The best fishing occurs when water temperatures climb...
Art Lander’s Outdoors: Cooler temperatures of fall can produce excellent crappie catches
There are several good arguments for crappie fishing in the fall. Most notably, the slow decline of water temperatures sends a signal that it’s time to feed up in advance of winter, so crappie are more active (Photo Provided)
Mention crappie in conversation and there’s always the assumption that the discussion will be about spring fishing. That’s because the crappie spawn in April offers...
Kentucky Afield Outdoors: Smaller waters across state hold crappie just like big lakes
This group of black crappie came from a small Central Kentucky lake last week. Smaller waters across the state offer productive crappie fishing right now for anglers who fish from the bank or from a small craft such as a johnboat or kayak. (Photo from F&W)
This is another story in the Spring Fishing Frenzy series. The series – detailing productive fishing opportunities across Kentucky...
