Whats Up With All The Dead Crappie

[crappie jigger]

I fished Sunday in Bolivar Landing area All the way up to Wheatland park and they were everywhere ! They were all different sizes I do not believe it was from culling but I'm no expert

[Justin Spencer]

Is it only crappie? Has anyone asked MDC?

[Jbrant]

I was down early last week and saw three big crappie floating in one wind blown cove. Thought it was odd.

[Jerry Rapp]

maybe it is just a natural thing? Last spawn, then peter out. That would be much better than the poor Cicada's. Come out of the ground after umpteen years underground, then do it once and die.

[fishinwrench]

Pomme lost its White bass not too long ago.....no explanation. Now it's loosing crappie?

During the stressful period of a hot Summer or hard Winter you could somewhat discount it. But not during the ideal water temp periods of late Spring. And lakewide all at once?

I'd say that's reason for some immediate concern. No?

[Justin Spencer]

Pomme lost its White bass not too long ago.....no explanation. Now it's loosing crappie?

During the stressful period of a hot Summer or hard Winter you could somewhat discount it. But not during the ideal water temp periods of late Spring. And lakewide all at once?

I'd say that's reason for some immediate concern. No?

Seems strange to me also. I understand a few here and there, but it seems like reports are getting worse. Maybe a virus that effects crappie mre than others.

[Ranger520vx]

Our bass tournament was out of Wheatland ramp and the pocket by the dock was full of dead crappie. We actually seen crappie come to the surface covered in fungus and roll over on there side while we were fishing.

[Justin Spencer]

Our bass tournament was out of Wheatland ramp and the pocket by the dock was full of dead crappie. We actually seen crappie come to the surface covered in fungus and roll over on there side while we were fishing.

Something has hurt there slime coat or threatened their immune system. Just like people, fish can get sick and pass it around. They are probably spreading it as they gather to spawn, makes sense that a schooling fish could have bigger outbreaks than fish that are more solitary. Just a guess, if it was an environmental factor there would be all species of dead fish.

[MOPanfisher]

The MDC Fisheries Biologist is aware of the reports. I just went out and checked a few places that tend to gather floating things. One area had probably a dozen crappie that had been dead a while. The biologist believes and I certainly bow to his opinion, especially since I agree that it is not a "die off" that it is a normal thing from the spawning stresses. With the wierd spring, cool water temps, falling lake level and then stabilizing and warming quickly there was a mass rush of crappie to spawn. So what we are seeing is 3 weeks worth of a normal year loss from spawn stress compressed into a few days. If anyone sees a large amound of fresh dead fish please let me know and I will pass it on or call MDC and report it directly. Hopefully I can make it out after work and looke for some live crappie and maybe a walleye or 4 while I'm at it.

[Ranger520vx]

Thanks for the info Mopanfisher