Do crappie fishing regulations change in different areas of the country? What are the basics?

Crappie regulations certainly change as you move from state to state. Understand that fishing regulations are not something that is done at the Federal level. It is generally the department of natural resources of each state the regulate hunting and fishing. The Federal government generally only has jurisdiction over federal waters that are a defined distance away from the coastal area of a given state. This is good for the fishery because each state knows the quality of its fishery and what needs to be done to keep it as high as possible. Take for instance Kentucky Lake. This is a lake in a warm weather climate with a long growing season. Crappies in this lake do not have many natural enemies and grow quite large. It is therefore wise to impose a hefty size limit for fish taken from this lake to encourage a trophy fishery. Compare this to your average large lake in Northern Minnesota. The growing season is much shorter and Crappie do not grow nearly as large. It is also important to keep the overall number of this pan fish down, otherwise it may become stunted which leaves us with a depressed fishery of only small fish. A size limit may not be needed in this scenario. Before fishing in a given state I think it is important that you check you the department of natural resources so you know all of the applicable laws regarding fishing. All of the states have a website that lays all of the information out for everyone to see.