What is your biggest Crappie on Stockton?

[J.M.]

had one 14.5 about 6 weeks ago

[hillguy]

I managed to boat a 15.5 in. while night fishing with my Dad in Prices Cove but that was over 40 years ago. Haven't caught much I can brag about since then.

[olfishead]

Probably around 14 inches but I didn't fish Stockton much between 1980 and 2012.

[Lifes2Short]

15” last spring up in Price Branch. 

[MOPanfisher]

Way back in the 70s probably my mom caught one that was huge.  The nose placed in the crook of her elbow and the tail went to her fingertips.  Granted she was not a big woman but dang that fish was, wouldn't even let us take a photo of it.  We just cleaned it and went on.  I do remember dad making sure it was on top of the others when we loaded out.  Always someone around to ask if ya caught any good ones, oh a couple and point the bucket.

[liphunter]

It might be just me wanting to remember it that way. When I think back to when I had a real head of hair. It seems like back when they first opened the lake up, it was gold for about the first 15or 20 years. 

[Johnsfolly]

9 minutes ago, liphunter said:

It might be just me wanting to remember it that way. When I think back to when I had a real head of hair. It seems like back when they first opened the lake up, it was gold for about the first 15or 20 years. 

That's  pretty typical in the life cycle of an impoundment. There is a high amount of productivity and then a decline. 

[MoCarp]

10 hours ago, Johnsfolly said:

That's  pretty typical in the life cycle of an impoundment. There is a high amount of productivity and then a decline. 

Harvest kinda does that

[Johnsfolly]

On 11/7/2020 at 9:02 PM, MoCarp said:

Harvest kinda does that

Harvest does contribute but the nutrient cycle is a bigger reason for the boon and decline in the lakes productvity.

[MoCarp]

On 11/8/2020 at 9:01 AM, Johnsfolly said:

Harvest does contribute but the nufrient cycle is a bigger reason for the boon and decline in the lakes productvity.

nutrients and inputs have been going up, septic systems, run off from yards roads and pastures ( nutrient loading) is on the rise all over SW Missouri...as an impoundment ages eutrophication occurs...the question is can we get better fishing with more restrictive length and bag limits? Does a 12”crappie consume more than an 11” one? The reason we don’t catch 3 pound crappie often in Stockton is they are harvested long before they get that big and bag limits are commonly ignored, 30 fish is all you can have in your freezer, yet the same persons are on the lake every day taking limit upon limit....I guess it depends why someone fishes...if it’s for filling your freezer....from what I’m told spotted bass are not so common since the reg change....