CHOTARD LAKE. CRAPPIE TOURNAMENT DURING DUCK SEASON

[jimbotheduckman]

Drove by Chotard Lake this morning after hunting somewhere else. Passed by Dent's Landing and there were two boats. As we approached Chotard Landing my first thougt was "holy crap" what's going on here. There was at least 50 boat trailers there. I could tell by the size of them that they were not large bass boats. We pulled up to the boat ramp and from there we could see 13 crappie boats fishing in the middle of the lake. I did see a "Magnolia Crappie Club" logo sticker on one of the trucks. I could be wrong but apparently they had a crappie tournament on a premier duck hunting lake on a Saturday. I seriously doubt there were that many crappie fisherman for anything but a tournament. Now here's my point. If what I saw was the case then the boys at the Magnolia Crappie Club need to understand that they most likely ruined duck hunting for some folks. If I were president of any fishing club the last place I would hold a tournament is on a popular oxbow lake in the heart of the Mississippi flyway during duck season. This is a good way to ruffle some feathers and get some duck hunters ticked off. I'd love to hear from some boys that hunted Chotard today and find out how they did. Did the fishermen hinder your hunt? Did you have to wait to launch? There were probably some hunters who were able to get away from them and have some success. But you fishermen need to know that you can be 200 yards away from my hunting set up and keep ducks from coming into my spread. From a sportsmanship standpoint I think whoever scheduled this crappie tournament needs to be made aware of this. It's my hope they will use better discretion next time. There are plenty lakes in Mississippi that are not premier "duck lakes" where they can fish and not upset anyone. I hope they heed this advice. If anyone knows the officers of the Magnolia Crappie Club (or anyone else) I think it behooves them to speak up. Again, I could be wrong but from all indications there was in fact a crappie tournament being held. This was not necessary. No, duck hunters do not own the lake. Yes, it's public waters and everyone has a right to be there. But we only have 8 weeks to duck hunt. They have 365 days to crappie fish. A little consideration goes a long way.

[Bonehead]

check your private messages

[Dutch Dog]

Heck those who fish have to deal with "pleasure boaters" all summer. It's all public water for public use. We're still crappie fishing now too. Crappie can be fun to catch this time of year. I SERIOUSLY doubt the crappie fisherman were up in the sticks with anyone chasing ducks. And if you are stupid enough to be hunting smack dab in the middle of the lake where I would venture to say 99% of the crappie fisherman were then you weren't going to kill any ducks anyway.

[Wildfowler]

And if you are stupid enough to be hunting smack dab in the middle of the lake where I would venture to say 99% of the crappie fisherman were then you weren't going to kill any ducks anyway.

Man you don't know what you're talking about. That's Ringneck alley.

[Skeeter]

I was there...dont know if there was a tourney or not, but a ton of fishermen....no ducks, obviously plenty of fish...

D

[Chocolate Seal]

get over it

[Battle]

There wasnt a tourny being held this weekend. The tourny is next weekend. So you have a week to get the word out that fishing has to cease any place you deem a "premier" lake. Besides that how could that many people have launched before you if you were going duck hunting? Do you just hunt the mid morning flight? After you accomplish outlawing all fishing during the duck season maybe you could tackle those slow drivers at 3 am that hold you up trying to get to the duck hole.

[jimbotheduckman]

I stand corrected. I believe I did say that I could be wrong. I was. There was no tounament. According to Bobby Cleveland in the Clarion Ledger the crappie were just simply tearing it up on Chotard. Oh and by the way while I was posting my comments yesterday I was frying crappie from a summer outing. I go after the darn things too. Just not in the wintertime. As few ducks as was flying maybe I should have been been in that flotilla. Didn't mean to step on anyone's toes.

[mallardchaser]

on a premier duck hunting lake

You apparently haven't been hunting over there in the last few years.

[savethehens]

on a premier duck hunting lake

You apparently haven't been hunting over there in the last few years.

Isnt that the truth

[Dutch Dog]

You didn't step on my toes, I was just indicating that the two paths shouldn't cross, and both activities can go on at the same time with very little effect on each other.

[duckkiller]

thats public land

[ducman77]

STAY HOME

[Chocolate Seal]

HELL I CAUGHT A LIMIT OF SLABS, AND KILLED A LIMIT OF MALLARDS IN THE SAME MORNING. ITS HARD TO SHOOT AND NET ONE AT THE SAME TIME

[one more pass]

As a board member of the MCC I will tell ya to get over it! You call Chotard a premier duck lake well it is also a premier winter time crappie lake. There wasn't a tournament this past Saturday. We were pre-fishing for the upcoming weekend. From what I saw and heard Chotard is a better crappie lake than duck lake! I didn't see but 10 wood ducks the whole day and didn't hear any shots on the lake. Just to give you a heads up the lake will be three times as packed this weekend. We will be holding a "fruit jar" tournament Friday to catch fish to be stocked into Eagle lake. The MWF&P guys will be on hand to assist us by bringing a tanker truck to transport the fish. Come join in on the fun!