WAPPAPELLO, Mo. – The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) is seeking the public’s input on a possible regulation change for crappie fishing at Wappapello Lake in Wayne County to both allow anglers to keep more crappie and promote more consistency in the quality of the fishery.

Wappapello Lake is a popular fishing location in Southeast Missouri.

Under the existing MDC regulation, anglers may harvest a daily limit of 30 white and black crappie combined with a minimum length of 9 inches.

Under the proposed regulation change, there will be no minimum length limit for crappie. 

The daily limit will remain at 30 crappies, but not more than 15 of those fish could be above 9 inches.

The proposed regulation change would allow anglers to harvest more of the slow-growing black crappie while preventing overharvest of white crappie.

For times of public meetings as well as where the public can comment, click here.