Magnolia Crappie Stocked in Mississippi State Lakes

Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks (MDWFP) Fisheries Bureau stocked approximately 18,000 Magnolia crappie in five State Fishing Lakes this week. The Magnolia crappie were reared at the North Mississippi Fish Hatchery and are a hybrid species best known for having fast growth rates. “Stocking hybrid crappie, which do not reproduce, will maintain a balanced fish population in smaller lakes and provide anglers a quality fishing experience,” according to MDWFP fisheries biologist Jerry Brown.

MDWFP State Fishing Lakes that received Magnolia crappie were Lake Mike Conner, Lake Claude Bennett, Prentiss Walker Lake, Simpson County Lake, and Lake Jeff Davis. Lake Jeff Davis is located is located in Jefferson County near Prentiss and is currently closed for renovation. The lake is expected to reopen during 2013.

Mississippi Wildlife Fisheries and Parks

The Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries and Parks (MDWFP), formerly known as the Mississippi Game & Fish Commission, is an agency of the government of the U.S. state ofMississippi responsible for programs protecting Mississippi fish and wildlife resources and their habitats, as well as administering all state parks; it has its headquarters in Jackson. The agency issues hunting and fishing licenses, advises on habitat protection, and sponsors public education programs. It is also responsible for enforcement of Mississippi's fish and game laws. It is separate from the Mississippi Department of Marine Resources, which is the governing body for the state's natural salt-water resources and law enforcement thereof (i.e. Gulf of Mexico, ocean-going vessels, etc.).