BOISE, Idaho — The Idaho Department of Fish and Game is telling anglers to strike while it’s hot.
Biologists say there is lots of crappie at C.J. Strike Reservoir.
“We have a big 2017 year class of fish at C.J. Strike, and they are just starting to grow to a size that anglers can catch them,” Idaho Fish and Game biologist Mike Peterson said.
Crappie in this age class were averaging about 8 inches and continued to grow over the winter.
While crappie tend to grow relatively fast C.J. Strike, they also don’t live long, usually about four or five years.
“Typically, fast growing fish tend to not live as long, and that’s the case with crappie in C.J. Strike so far in what we’ve seen,” Peterson said. “The four-year old fish are typically 9 to 10 inches and may have spawned once by that age. Very few fish live to be six or seven years old.”
The crappie boom won’t last indefinitely, but Peterson expects to see above-average catch rates over the next few years as this class of fish continues to age.
Anglers are encouraged to take advantage of the harvest opportunity while it is available. Don’t be wasteful. Keep only the fish you are willing to eat and enjoy the good fishing while it is here.
