Mississippi fisheries biologists say their research indicates that forward-facing sonar users may be having a direct impact on crappie populations in its four most popular lakes – Grenada, Sardis, Enid and Arkabutla. As a result, they have significantly lowered the daily creel limits on those reservoirs. (Photo: Richard Simms)
Forward-Facing Sonar Leads to Crappie Creel Reduction in Mississippi
by Richard Simms, CrappieNOW Editor
In a move that shocked some, but pleases others, Mississippi biologists have reduced crappie creel limits on the state’s most popular lakes as a direct result of forward-facing sonar (FFS).
In late June, at the suggestion of biologists, the Mississippi Commission on Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks voted to reduce the crappie creel limit on Grenada, Enid, Sardis and Arkabutla lakes. Limits will soon drop from 15 crappie per person per day, down to only 10 crappie per person per day. They reduced the daily boat limit on crappie to 25 per day, down from 40. The size limit on the four lakes – 12-inches-plus – remains the same. Crappie limits on other lakes in Mississippi (usually 30 crappie per person per day, with no size limit) remain unchanged.
Although Arkabutla is currently closed for repairs to the dam, the four affected lakes in Mississippi are some of the most well-known crappie fishing destinations in the country. The productivity of the waters of Grenada, Sardis, Enid and Arkabutla routinely yields 12-inch-plus crappie in the same time most lakes struggle to grow a 10-inch crappie. The numbers of big slabs attract anglers from across the nation 12 months a year.
And Mississippi biologists say that now, the majority of them are using forward-facing sonar.
Mississippi Dept. of Fish, Wildlife and Park (MDWFP) regional biologist Keith Meals said, “We did a 3-year study on Sardis, Enid and Grenada looking at if they were catching fish with a single pole or trolling. We also looked at if they were using live sonar. In that 3-year period we saw our fishermen using live sonar increase from 20 percent up to 70 percent and it’s probably higher than that, now.”
Meals said the new technology led to catches two to three times greater for anglers using the advanced technology versus those who did not.
A MDWFP spokesperson said at this writing, “The ruling hasn’t been filed with the Mississippi Secretary of State’s office and the rule will not go into effect until 30 days after it is filed with that office. So, the rule will be effective sometime after July 24, 2024 depending on the date it is filed.”
Mississippi crappie guide Brannon Kirby said, “I absolutely support the new limit. I’m out there on average four days a week. I’ve seen the numbers of keeper crappie and crappie in general decrease dramatically in the past year-and-a-half. The pressure on the fish here has been relentless the past 2-to-3 years.”
John Harrison of JH Guide Service in Mississippi told Brian Broom with the Clarion Ledger, “Something had to be done. The boat ramps are full all year long. They just don’t get a break and (FFS) comes into play now. It’s just a lot of pressure on them right now and has been for the last few years. Something had to be done about the limits.”
CrappieNOW Publisher and professional crappie tournament angler Dan Dannenmueller said, “I fully support the changes made to creel limits in Mississippi. As technology improves, fishery protections are needed to protect the crappie sizes and population. It would be wise for other states to follow Mississippi’s actions.”
HOW WILL OTHER STATES REACT?
The decision is likely to send shockwaves across the country where some biologists are already under pressure to evaluate and potentially lower creel limits due to the effectiveness of forward-facing sonar. However few states to-date seem to have evaluated the impact of FFS directly. At least none have passed regulation changes as a result.
Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency regional fisheries biologist Mike Jolley said they have not thoroughly examined the impact of FFS on fish populations yet, however, “We haven’t seen any reductions (in crappie populations) that we could attribute directly to FFS. We did start (in our region) including a few questions on our creel surveys regarding FFS in two reservoirs last year. We are still looking at that data … it will take some time to acquire a good data base since creel is not conducted on every reservoir every year in our region.
“It is probably safe to say that FFS usage and harvest has increased by crappie fishermen,” said Jolley. “However, some populations (here) may be able to withstand added pressure. Again, this will vary among reservoirs.”
Jolley went on to say, “I think this (change in Mississippi) will certainly lead to more related discussions by wildlife agencies and anglers.” He added, however, “I can think of other situations where new technologies have provoked much thought regarding the impact on fish populations (in our state). For example, spider rigging for crappie was argued by many to be the end of crappie populations years ago in reservoirs like Kentucky Lake. And the ‘Alabama Rig’ was going to be detrimental to bass populations and (our Agency) did have to define a legal array for fishing under the ‘statewide hook restriction.’ However, to my knowledge, neither of these technologies had significant impacts to those populations or at least no data to prove it. That doesn’t mean FFS may not be different.”
On a final note, Jolley said, “Economics generated by crappie angling will also be a factor in many states, determining what to do and prioritize in these regards too. Economic significance will vary greatly between reservoirs and states.”
There is no doubt the economy surrounding those incredibly popular North Mississippi reservoirs is significantly influenced by crappie fishermen.
WHAT DO FISHERMEN SAY?
The creel reduction due to FFS has created a major buzz on Internet message boards and discussion forums around the country – not necessarily just about the change in Mississippi regulations, but often in regard to the use of FFS.
On the popular TNDeer.com Forum, angler John Nash said, “I view (FFS) on par with fanning turkeys. (FFS) and fanning both work too well! It is a clear unfair advantage that allows greedy people to abuse the resources and steals game and fish from the fair chase sportsman.”
TNDeer Forum user “Spurhunter” owns property on Sardis Lake and fishes there often. He said, “Most crappie anglers I know will not, under any circumstance, throw back a legal crappie if they don’t have their limit. It doesn’t matter if their freezer is so full of crappie that they can’t get the door shut. They are keeping that fish.
“I fully support the new regulations. Let’s face it, a limit of ten crappie over twelve inches will feed most families.”
Another Mississippi angler (megalomaniac) said, however, “If the population in a body of water is declining due to overfishing, reducing the limit won’t make a hill of beans difference. The population will continue to decline, and anglers will catch fewer fish. And those kept will continue to be the largest breeders.”
IT TAKES TIME TO KNOW
Every biologist always emphasizes that it takes time to evaluate if, and/or how, regulation changes impact fish and wildlife populations. According to Meals, Mississippi’s action came only after three years of study. No doubt it will take at least that long, or more, to determine how much impact the lower limit will have, if any.
In the meantime, Kirby says, “Bottom line, something had to be done. The fish don’t get a break anymore. With live sonar, you can catch crappie in every season and the boat ramps are staying full. My only complaint is that more wasn’t done sooner. If the new (reduced) creel limit hurts business, then it is the lesser of two evils. My hope is that tighter restrictions save business in the long haul, by keeping our resource sustainable for many years to come.”
Capt. Richard Simms is the Editor of CrappieNOW magazine as well as owner of Scenic City Fishing Charters. He is a former game warden for the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency before becoming a photographer and PR guy for TWRA. That led to a 30-year career as a broadcast journalist and freelance outdoor writer. You can follow Capt. Simms on Facebook.
