JACKSON - Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) fisheries biologists are optimistic about fishing in 2012 on north Mississippi's Corps of Engineers' flood control reservoirs (FCRs). Arkabutla, Sardis, Enid, and Grenada Lakes are some of the best crappie waters in the country, boosting local economies as they support about 1.5 million hours of fishing yearly.

Fall 2011 sampling  by MDWFP found good white crappie spawns from 2009 through 2011. "The big 2009 spawn averaged just under 12 inches, but many were legal size. Black crappie from a huge 2008 spawn also averaged about 12 inches," according to MDWFP Fisheries Biologist Keith Meals. Abundant small crappie in the FCRs are young, not stunted.