Survey says world-class crappie fishing short cast away
For those who doubted Mississippi’s reputation as a crappie-fishing destination, doubt no more. Yes, indeed, crappie fishing rules in Mississippi.
Five Mississippi lakes have been listed as the top fisheries to visit for trophy-size crappie, according to a recent survey by Wired2Fish.com. The survey identified the top 10 lakes to catch trophy crappie in the United States. Four of the top 10 are in North Mississippi, including No. 1-ranked Grenada, along with three other Corps of Engineers lakes — Arkabutla, Sardis and Enid, which were combined and ranked as the nation’s No. 3 crappie fisheries.
Lake Washington, an oxbow lake near Glen Allan, Mississippi, was second.
In the poll, Mississippi lakes received praise for the large crappie produced, including numerous crappie over 3 pounds. This was reinforced recently when a 3.9-pound white crappie was caught at Grenada Lake. The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks was the first natural resource agency to use high minimum-length limits, reduced bag limits and pole limits to sustain quality crappie fishing opportunities at these lakes.
“We are very proud of our crappie fisheries,” said Larry Bull, MDWFP assistant director of fisheries. “Because of the work of our fisheries biologists, we have been able to protect and enhance some of our crappie fisheries by implementing innovative regulations such as high minimum-length limits and reduced creel limits.”
On another positive note for Mississippi crappie anglers, Keith Meals, MDWFP fisheries biologist based out of Oxford, says the spawn is just getting started after being delayed by recent cold fronts.
“(The) spawn will progress from south to north (Grenada before Arkabutla) and upper end of reservoirs to lower end (dam), as usual,” Meals said. “Upper reaches and backs of creeks are good now.”
The spawn, Meals said, usually coincides with dogwood blooms but lasts longer (up to six weeks). He noted that crappie spawned well into May in 2014 because of a cold winter/ spring.
“Cold fronts and rapid water rises delay spawning; warm, sunny weather and stable or slowly rising water hasten it,” he said, adding that the latest spawn (normally May) is at Tunica Cutoff due to cold river water. “If water is rising, fish spawn shallower (one-two feet); if water is falling, fish spawn deeper (three-five feet).
To see the complete list of the nation’s top fisheries for crappie go to wired2fish.scout.com.
DEVELOPMENTS
Nothing to it: There were 1,071 turkeys killed statewide during the Young Sportsman’s Weekend on March 28-29, including one by Bill Cooksey, 14, of Bartlett who was hunting in Perry County with his father, Bill Cooksey IV. The younger Cooksey, an eighthgrader at Harding Academy, has killed a gobbler in the first 45 minutes of the past two Young Sportsman’s hunts.
“He’s a youth season master now,” said his dad. “We were standing at the truck talking with the game warden (former Memphian Brandon Gavrock) and turkeys were hammering (gobbling).”
Hunting near Linden, Bill’s dad estimated he and his son heard 500-plus gobbles from 20 different birds. Tennessee’s statewide season opened April 4 and runs through May 17.
Funds available: The U.S. Department of Agriculture/Natural Resources Conservation Service has secured funds for the Agricultural Conservation Easement Program Wetland Reserve Easements. The program assists farmers, ranchers, private forest landowners and partners with restoring and enhancing wetlands and improving wildlife and plant habitat. Eligible lands include farmed or converted wetlands that can be successfully and cost-effectively restored.
The deadline for applications for funding consideration for this fiscal year is May 15. Go to nrcs.usda.gov/GetStarted for more information.
Wild-game supper: For mer Memphian Brodie Swisher of Paris, Tennessee, will be the featured speaker when Trinity Baptist Church, 8899 Trinity Road in Cordova, hosts its annual Wild-Game Supper at 6 p.m. Thursday. For more information call (901) 759-5955.
Sold out: The recent eighth annual Ducks Unlimited Crawfish Boil at the Agricenter in East Memphis was a sellout with more than two tons of crawfish consumed. Next year’s date has been set at March 24.
Name that boat: Serenity is the No. 1 boat name for the second year in a row, according to Boat Owners Association of The United States based in Alexandria, Virginia. It is also the name’s 10th appearance on the popular list of boat names issued annually since 1992. For the list go to BoatUS.com/boatnames.