George that is a veritable walk through history. No doubt there is plenty of LMB hype . Frenzy is a better word. But not so much with small ponds. Big lakes and rivers - yes as you noted. That frenzy is from the fishermen not the biologists or reputable hatcheries. I think the biologists and hatcheries have done a good job of maintaining a balanced approach when so much of the public is demanding large LMB.

Stock some more LMB , stock some more LMB I don't care just stock some more. That is a common theme from the public to many of the state biologists on the public lakes. It takes a brave scientist (he is paid by their tax dollars) to stand in front of that type of crowd and say there are to many LMB we need to stock shad and BG and take out some small LMB. What - take them out, you can't be serious - we are responsible fisherman - catch and release , catch and release. I think the general public should take some more science classes. ;\)

BM I have caught some of those black bull bream from the oxbows and rivers. The little ones make good Flathead bait.