New Crappie Regulation at Smithville Lake Showing Positive Results, Similar Changes Proposed for Mozingo

ST. JOSEPH, MO – A move by the Missouri Department of Conservation appears to be having positive results for the crappie population at Smithville Lake.

The special crappie regulation allows anglers to keep 30 crappies but no more than 15 over nine inches long. That change was made in 2019 to protect white crappie numbers.

The Missouri Conservation Commission is considering a similar regulation change for Mozingo Lake near Maryville. Biologists say Mozingo also has too many undersized crappies. Changing from the current 15 fish limit with no size regulations to a 30 fish limit, with a maximum of 15 over 9 inches will allow anglers to harvest undersized fish and improve the crappie population balance by preventing the overharvest of larger fish.

The Mozingo Lake change is not in effect this spring. A 30 day public comment period on the proposed change is in place through May 1st.