The Tar River Reservoir is one of the very few lakes in the coastal plain that have no size or creel limit for crappie. The reservoir has a good distribution of crappie sizes and age classes, as well as plenty of shad to provide an excellent forage base.
The reservoir may produce larger crappie as a by-product of its primary purpose: a water-supply for the City of Rocky Mount. During the summer, the lake level is drawn down, and the low-water periods are especially pronounced during drought.
The reduction of cover area allows big fish to eat little fish and may prevent the overpopulation and resulting stunting of crappie that occurs in many small lakes.
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