02-19-2007, 05:03 PM
[cool][#0000ff]Crappie like and need structure to bring off a good spawn. But, before anybody organizes a "structure dump" project, be aware that there are two agencies you need to appease first...Utah State Parks and DWR. There are silly things like permits, etc. By the time you get all that through the process, the lake will be full again. And, if you get caught dumping unauthorized materials in the lake, you may be unable to afford to go fishing for a long time.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There have been decent crappie spawns the last couple of high water years. That means that we should be seeing some 6 to 10 inch crappies schooling around the lake this spring, even if they don't have suitable spawning habitat. They will still spawn, just not effectively. Even though Willard is just a big barren bowl, there are still the occasional bits of rock or sunken sticks. Crappies will find them and you can find them with sonar.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Crappies are not the abundant species they once were in Willard for a couple of reasons. One, the gizzard shad fry outcompete the crappie fry for zooplankton. Baby crappies have a tough time making a living until they can get big enough to feed on larger food items. Lots of them die before they get big enough to provide food for the wipers...reason number two. Small crappies are munched by wipers, walleyes and cats. Tough place for them to live, especially without any place to hide.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]There have been decent crappie spawns the last couple of high water years. That means that we should be seeing some 6 to 10 inch crappies schooling around the lake this spring, even if they don't have suitable spawning habitat. They will still spawn, just not effectively. Even though Willard is just a big barren bowl, there are still the occasional bits of rock or sunken sticks. Crappies will find them and you can find them with sonar.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Crappies are not the abundant species they once were in Willard for a couple of reasons. One, the gizzard shad fry outcompete the crappie fry for zooplankton. Baby crappies have a tough time making a living until they can get big enough to feed on larger food items. Lots of them die before they get big enough to provide food for the wipers...reason number two. Small crappies are munched by wipers, walleyes and cats. Tough place for them to live, especially without any place to hide.[/#0000ff]
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