Where I live, there isn't a whole lot of crappie fishing unless I drive about 1 1/2 -2 hours to Toledo or Rayburn. I would like to get better at it and make crappie condos. There are a few spots off of Sabine River both in Orange and in Deweyville (where I will be moving eventually) that get away from the current that may be a good spot to hold crappie. The problem is I would want to "transplant" some in to help grow the population. Does anyone know the legality of this? For example, I catch some crappie on Toledo, keep them alive, and put them back in Orange/Deweyville in the river.

In all actuality, I would be transporting from north Sabine River further south.

I doubt you would be able to move enough of them to ever make a difference. The sloughs connecting to the river should have plenty already in them. Try fishing with a slip cork and jig and cover a lot of water to find them. I always hear a falling water level is the time to go.

http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/annual/fish/general_rules/

It is a violation to:

Place any game fish into public waters, other than the body of water where the fish was caught, without a valid permit issued by TPWD. This includes fish caught by pole and line.

Thanks. If I really did this, I guess I could try to loophole it. Toledo Bend is essentially the Sabine River, so I would be placing the back into the Sabine River (same body of water).

Why not try putting out some baited tops first. Transplant fish if you like but they will surely move where they are happy. Likely where all the local Crappie live. The only guarantee is to put 'em in your freezer. Some good hardwood with floats in the top, a good bait, in the right spot will have fish on it in a few days. There are tons of bait options but I use the store bought Cottonseed, soybean blocks. Robinson uses something from the feed store but he's cheap.

Don