What size is a "keeper"?

[Scott K]

What size do you consider to be the minimum before you keep them?

Crappie
Bluegill
Perch


My min size seems to shrink when they aren't biting or if I really have a craving for a fish dinner.

[LSSUfishmaster]

I know what you mean by the minimum size shrinking when they arent biting, they also seem to look bigger when you first pull them through the hole too.
For gills I like them to be about 6 inches, crappies 7-8 inches, and perch about 7 inches. Last year I started fishing Cedarville and perch have to be 7 inches there and that seems like a good size.

[Reihlsportsman]

here's what I go by:
gills 7" min.
specks 10" min
perch 8" min

don't keep many this small unless it's hard to get dinner!

[jimbo]

alot depends on the lake

[gooseboy]

specs - 10"

perch - 7" or so

gills - extended hand size or bigger

[fishyhands]

Mostly if they bite they get et. I ain't proud...

[djmoore34]

I'm with Jimbo. Much depends on the lake. Especially when you are getting into a lake that is too heavily populated with panfish (smaller fish) and not enough predators.

[jakeo]

What size do you consider to be the minimum before you keep them?

Depends what time it is and how drunk I am!:lol:

[thill]

Can you stick a fork in them?????


Then its a keeper!

[deep6in]

here's what I go by:
gills 7" min.
specks 10" min
perch 8" min

don't keep many this small unless it's hard to get dinner!


Agree with this.

I also agree with "it depends on the lake". If I get invited to fish a private lake with someone that lives on the lake- I will keep fish around the same size they are keeping and nothing smaller.

[Fishcapades]

Depends how hungry I am......

[erowlson]

as for perch i keep just about any size.. i use a 5 gallon bucket tumbler that scales them.. you just hook it up to your drill and it has a metal paddle that scales them.. they sell them at Knutsons or probably any sporting goods store.. you can eat em up just like smelt.

[Scout 2]

as for perch i keep just about any size.. i use a 5 gallon bucket tumbler that scales them.. you just hook it up to your drill and it has a metal paddle that scales them.. they sell them at Knutsons or probably any sporting goods store.. you can eat em up just like smelt.

If you leave them in to long you can have fish chowder:lol:

[William H Bonney]

Doesn't matter how hungry I am,,, gills under 8" go back, no matter what. Crappie I don't really keep because they well,,,,,, taste like crap. As for perch,,,,, the limit used to be 8",,, then it went to 8.5",, now it's more like 9",, but man I'm having a hard time chuckin' those 8"s and 8.25"s back...:sad:

[outdoor junkie]

8" on all. Pain in the butt cleaning anything under that. But thats just my personal preference. People should keep whatever they want. But I can't stand when you see a bunch of little ones just lying on the ice wasted. But I'm sure that irkes everyone except the slobs that do it. Good luck to all.:)

[Chad Smith]

If your wife/girlfriend laughs at your fish, they're to small. Be prepared when you bring home a ton of smelt. She will think you waste all that time for small fish. Some women just dont get it. Whatever you feel like cleaning is a keeper unless its a walleye or pike, then 15 & 24 +

Good luck and best fishes!

[RichP]

Crappie I don't really keep because they well,,,,,, taste like crap.

:SHOCKED::SHOCKED::SHOCKED:

blasphemy :lol::lol:


I don't catch many perch so I don't have an established size in my mind

Gills/Shellcrackers, around handsize for minimum

Specs -- 7-8" min

[johnny white]

amen
8" on all. Pain in the butt cleaning anything under that. But thats just my personal preference. People should keep whatever they want. But I can't stand when you see a bunch of little ones just lying on the ice wasted. But I'm sure that irkes everyone except the slobs that do it. Good luck to all.:)

[GOTONE]

Crappie 9
Bluegill 7
Perch 7