Questions

By Brent Davis, GRDA

Fishery Coordinator/Tournament Director

The question I get the most these days is: What happened to the Crappie on Grand Lake?

Unfortunately, there are more questions than answers when it comes to this issue. This past fall I spent the better part of three weeks with the Oklahoma Department of Wildlife Conservation (ODWC) sampling for Crappie on Grand Lake.  Nets were placed in Duck Creek, Horse Creek, Honey Creek, and Elk River. From a fisherman's point of view, I saw very low numbers, some of this year's hatch, and some very large fish. 

The problem is there are little, if any, fish in the middle class. Apparently, the last two years have been unsuccessful for spawning, and if any spawning took place, it was minimal. Crappie only live five years and are unable to spawn until they are two years old. So, poor spawning seasons in two consecutive years can have  a significant impact on the number of crappie that are available for harvest.

Some people believe it is the water levels. However, water levels play a very small part in the spawning season. Grand Lake's crappie have been dealing with the same water levels for 62 years, since the dam was built.  Water temperature, however, is very critical. The last three springs our weather has started to warm very early and then comes an ice storm or very strong cold fronts into the first weeks of April … all right in the middle of prime Crappie spawn. Then, when it does get warm, it seems to get too warm too fast, thus exceeding the water temperature for a good spawn. 

Of course, this is just one possible explanation to address a very complex system. However, ODWC is planning a public meeting to discuss the crappie situation in Grand Lake. That meeting will be held in Grove sometime in the near future. We will be sure to make the date and time public well in advance and I would encourage all of you to attend.

Brent Davis - GRDA Fishery Coordinator/Tournament Director

P.O. Box 409, 226 W. Dwain Willis Ave., Vinita, OK 74301-0409

Phone:  918-256-5545 x 4415 -- Fax:      918-256-5289