Page 35 - 2023 Barnett Fall Issue

Magnol ia Cr appie Club Adv entur es Magazine
Magnolia Crappie Club Adventures Magazine

Tuesday, October 25, 2022

Magnolia Crappie Club
Board of Directors
3616 Kim Dr.
Lauderdale, MS 39335

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries & Parks
Fishery Biologists

1505 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211

Re: Lake Washington Crappie Population

Ladies & Gentlemen,

We write you with significant concerns about the crappie population in Lake

Washington. The Magnolia Crappie Club has fished Lake Washington for the past
31 years. Our teams have had great success up until the last three years.

We decided to move our tournament to Lake Ferguson for this season because of

the low catch rate; however, we had to return to Lake Washington due to low

river levels. We realized that the lake needed a break from tournament fishing. To
fulfill our Tourism Grant Award from Washington County, we had no other option

but to fish Lake Washington.

Our participation level has dropped to an all-time low for this tournament. In the
past, Washington was one of our most prominent tournaments. Many of our

members realize that this lake has endured significant pressure from National
Tournament Circuits, Crappie Guides, and everyday anglers.

We noticed the decline three years ago and implemented a 12-inch minimum

with a seven-fish limit for conservation purposes. We try to return all of our live
crappies to the lake when possible.

35 - Adventures Magazine - MCC 2023 Lake Washington Issue