Crappie don’t belong in ponds ?

[fishinwrench]

Fish populations in all bodies of water go through cycles.  Fishing pressure, unless it is really high, is only one of the many factors.

I have seen alot of ponds and strip pits where everyone started taking (or throwing up on the bank) all the small "stunted" fish in an effort to improve the fishery, and I've never seen that actually be any more effective than just leaving it alone for 3-4 years.  

There were 14 strip pits and numerous farm ponds where I grew up.  Most had only moderate pressure from anglers, and quite a few had little to no pressure.  Each year only a few would really shine, and never was one a noticable hotspot for more than 2 consecutive years.  

The same seems to hold true for the different arms of the big lake that I live on now.