The growth rate in eastern Kentucky lakes is slower than that of their western counterparts. A 9- or 10-inch crappie in Buckhorn will probably average around 4 years old. Therefore, no length limit is in place on the lake. Nonetheless, the lake is known for good numbers of crappie and good-sized fish.

Crappie only have a four- to five-year average life span in the lake with seven years being about the maximum. Fisheries personnel have been questioned about the possibility of implementing a length limit on the lake for crappie. With the slow growth rate, natural mortality could claim as much as 50 to 70 percent of the crappie before they reach a set minimum length.

Creel surveys indicate that the majority of fish kept by anglers are in the 10- to 15-inch range. The lake has a good number of crappie that fall within that range, which is above average for eastern lakes. The latest creel survey indicated approximately 30,000 crappie caught with 13,700 of those being harvested. Of those caught, the mean length was 9.1 inches.

Buckhorn is subject to a major drawdown each year. In fact, boat access is usually very limited until April. During February and March, the lake will typically only have boat access at the dam.

One bright spot to the drawdown is it forces fish into the upper part of the lake and concentrates them there. Spring will usually find the crappie moving into the coves and creek arms among brushy cover.

Many anglers only chase slabs during the spring and then abandon crappie fishing during the hot months of the year. KDFWR fisheries biologist Kevin Frey says he sees some of the heaviest stringers of the year during July and August. Fish in the 13- to 15- inch range will usually dominate a 30-fish stringer during that time period.

The Leatherwood Creek area near the state park marina is a prime place for midsummer crappie, according to Frey. Anglers will find great success trolling jigs or minnow-type lures over shallow mud flats near the main channel. Other prime spots to troll are the Otter and Gays creeks areas.

Grayson Lake, located in Carter and Elliott counties, is only a shade over 1,500 acres. It is a long, narrow reservoir with steep cliffs and little structure to support crappie. It is also subject to rapid fluctuations in water level.

Crappie do not grow well in Grayson. There are fair numbers of fish reported in fall samplings, but most are less than 10 inches. Crappie anglers at Grayson have the most success in the upper part of the lake around available brushy structure.

Cave Run Lake is a much larger reservoir and offers northeastern region anglers much more area to fish. The lake is approximately 8,270 acres. Size, structure, management and other factors make Cave Run the best spot in its part of the state.

Northeastern fisheries biologist Lew Kornman says the crappie fishery at Cave Run has been very cyclic. It will be up for two to three years and then down for two to three years. Kornman believes this year should be "pretty good."

Crappie don't grow too quickly at Cave Run. A 9-inch fish will probably be close to 4 years old. The average size caught is usually around 8 or 9 inches. With the slow growth, a 10- to 12-inch crappie is considered trophy-sized.

Anglers have complained at times about catching crappie in the 7-inch range. They have questioned why the KDFWR does not implement a minimum size limit. As with Buckhorn Lake, the slow growth rates coupled with Cave Run not being extremely fertile makes it impractical to impose a minimum size limit on crappie.

The crappie population has been up the past couple of years, though. There are numerous factors that can impact crappie numbers. Winter weather, spring rain, crashes in gizzard shad numbers or shad too big to eat can all play a part in the health of the crappie fishery.

Anglers should note that the increase in the black crappie population at Cave Run is really starting to pay off big dividends. Most of the black crappie are usually caught in the lower lake area around milfoil. Kornman said, "If you catch a black crappie, it will usually be a pretty nice fish."

The Minor Clark Fish Hatchery is very close to Cave Run Lake. In 2001, the hatchery had some "left-over" black crappie from a stocking project at Cedar Creek Lake. Some 18,150 black crappie were placed in Cave Run Lake during the fall of 2001. These fish averaged 3 1/2 inches at the time of stocking. After 2 1/2 years in the lake, these fish are starting to add considerably to the wealth of the lake's crappie fishery.

Another added bonus to fishing Cave Run is the fish attractors that have recently been placed in the lake. Discarded Christmas trees have been utilized as supplemental structure for crappie at key locations. The KDFWR has a map available to anglers that shows the locations of these brush attractors. For more information on this map, interested anglers can call the Northeastern Fishery District at (606) 784-6872 or send an e-mail to nefd@mis.net.

These are but a few of the top spots across the Commonwealth for crappie in 2004. There are numerous other reservoirs, lakes, rivers and ponds that also offer excellent crappie fishing. In fact, the state-record crappie actually came from a farm pond. We are very fortunate to have such great and varied opportunities for crappie fishing in Kentucky. This year holds great promise once again for excellent angling; so let's get out there and get those lines wet!

More information can be obtained from the KDFWR at their Web site: www.kdfwr.state.ky.us. An annual fishing forecast as well as links to recent fishing reports are available at the site. Other information can be obtained by contacting the seven fisheries district offices directly.