MDC Proposes Increased Crappie Limit For Mozingo Lake

The Missouri Conservation Commission gave initial approval at its February 17 public meeting in Jefferson City to regulation changes proposed by the Missouri Department of Conservation regarding increasing limits for crappie on Mozingo Lake in Nodaway County. 

MDC proposes increasing the catch-and-keep daily limit on Mozingo Lake for crappie from 15 to 30 fish while restricting the harvest of crappie over nine inches to 15 fish per person; per day.

Historically, the lake has received extremely high fishing pressure and harvest for crappie. 

MDC’s current sampling data shows that crappie numbers have increased significantly while fishing pressure and angler harvest have declined over the past several years. 

This resulted in a crappie population dominated by small fish. 

The MDC proposed amendment would remove the 15-fish daily limit and change the daily limit back to the statewide daily limit of 30 fish for Mozingo Lake while restricting the harvest of crappie over nine inches to 15 fish per person; per day.

According to MDC, this change will allow anglers to harvest more crappie, reduce the population to help lower competition for food, and improve crappie size structure. 

The next step in the rulemaking process is for MDC to have a 30-day public comment period from April 2 through May 1.