Much good advice and info in this thread.

One aspect to consider is the yearly life cycle of LMB in all of the US except possibly deep south coastal TX/LA and Fla.

A concern raised is that the tilapia die off in winter with the assumption that the LMB will be forage short. However keep in mind that with cold water temps the LMB reduce considerably their food intake. They don't have the metabolism or need for as much to eat by the time the tilapia die off. In addition the LMB have gorged (just before their metabolism decreases)on dying tilapia (surge/binge feeding just before winter water temps is common in LMB). So I would not worry about being forage short in winter under the conditions noted. If there was a doubt then RT or hothouse tilapia would be better than Crappie. In addition crappie because they are more active in cooler water than LMB they are not a good substitute for winter feeding of LMB (crappie are more active than the LMB in cool water and thus able to escape LMB predation better). Another substitute is pelleted feeding of large pellets for LMB.

We are talking LMB biology/bioenergetics ( food - energy used = growth). Its not just food but also the amount of energy used to catch/consume the food that results in growth or weight loss if a negative balance. That leads to an aspect of the California LMB growth noted that most don't know about. Its not just the feeding of RT in the CA lakes that gives the large growth. Its the biological aspect as well. RT need a certain O2 level which is higher than LMB an also a temp range cooler than LMB. The RT seek the best O2/temp zone to occupy. In the CA lakes the lakes stratify and that zone of comfort for the RT gets small while the LMB are not constrained by the factors as they have higher tolerance. In essence the LMB trap the RT in that zone and gorge on them - lots of high energy food in with little energy used equals ample nutrients for LMB growth.

Last edited by ewest; 01/04/16 11:33 AM.