Hi Mark. I was in the boat with Bruce and Nolan when you called him on his cell phone this evening. Nolan told us about the 18+ crappie! Wow, what a fish!

I was disappointed to hear you are not able to make the Kab trip with us. I know you would have enjoyed it. Maybe next year.

- Jeff

Loose lips on the internet turn a good Metro panfish bite into a lake full of 6 inchers in a hurry. Waconia isn't Red Lake and won't rebound for a while after all the nice crappies are removed.

There was another lake near Waconia a few years ago that pretty much got fished out within a couple weeks due to the word getting out.

Actually, there's a few lakes in the Waconia area that have taken major hits in the last few years as a direct result of "media" coverage. Swede, Hydes and Eagle just to name a few... Hopefully Waconia won't follow in their footsteps...

Some of those other lakes are still kicking them out. You just gotta think a little differently and work a little harder...

BGB,

Good post!

A lot of metro area lakes hold large crappies, but most fishermen become a “lemming to the sea” to a reported hot spot, show up, get skunked and cry the lake has been fished out.

Just have to fish smarter!

Yep Hydes and Eagle were great until last year then everything went down the schmitter Last winter I couldn't catch a crappie to save my soul that was worth keeping and not to mention Hydes is done completely for a while since there was a big freeze out this winter Me and the boy went out there on opener to find nothing but crappies floating everywhere and on the bottom and lining every shoreline so I guess we wont have to worry about the word getting spread about the crappies biting for a while

Guys,

I have no problem with people reporting that they're catching 16ers out there. I was fishing out there before the posting bonanza and a guy could actually fish a spot without people on top of them. What chaps my hide is that some posted spots specifically showing the buoys to the honey hole. Now, this spot was known by many year after year by locals to hold fish- but to post it online as a bragging board to not only around 500 registered members- but at times 2000 anonymous users! Its ridiculous guys, now people are going out of their way to get out there-even though the bite has tailed off.

We all like to catch slabs- just do yourself a favor and look out for yourself and the fisheries before you drop a bomb on a spot.

We can all say that we're conservationists and practice catch and release- but guess what- not everyone on this site or any website feels as stongly as you do about C&R- instead they'd like to keep a livewell full of these slabs for the dinnertable.

Please, please, please- think before you brag-or post. I don't see why you have to show everyone and their mother your catches when you are clearly not helping the situation!!

Yes, there is a fine line here.

One of the great things about FM is info sharing and gathering i.e.: what's hot, where are they biting, etc.

I can see the point about using care however. I've often seen people ask for an email address instead of posting details on the site.

That makes sense and can also make new friendships.

That is not exactly a secret spot. You will find 20+ boats out there on warm spring days year in and year out. I have fished Waconia for 10 years now, and its the same thing every year. A lot of 8-10 fish with a few slabs mixed in. As far as posting pics, well i see no problem with it, since that is kind of what this site is all about. Its not like a guy posted the GPS location or something, plus this area is not a secret spot. If it was a area way away from the crowd, or some obscure location, i would not post that pic (at least one that shows landmarks). People just need to be responsible with C&R on bigger fish and if you see anyone keeping them, give them a big booo!!!!

im sure most of us are out ther for fun and relaese alot of fish, its just sad to know that people will go and keep those big beatiful fish. i say let them big ones go who knows some day there could be a 20" (that would be SWEET)

I was thinking of heading out to "the spot" this afternoon, but not sure if I will now if the bite has reportedly turned off. I was out there last Friday - a beautful day - and we did okay with a handful of good eater crappies and sunnies, but the boats were stacked pretty tight which made it not as fun. It's amazing how tight a boat will get to you. I made a comment to my buddy that its was like we were ice fishing out there with so many people in such a small area...except I think people gave us more room ice fishing!

ya about all them big crappies being caught... mmmmm cant you just taste all that delicious mercury... throw em back eh