JHAP:
That is a good idea. The bass I am seeing are about 14", and some smaller. We stocked 50 8-10" last fall, based on recommendations of the guys that did the fish survey, they said get 500 which other people thought was not right. I also had spawning boxes made. My hope is that when they come to do the fish kill they will bring the electro-shock boat and get out some of the big ones, we can place next door on another lake right across the street (where the guy that is most helpful with fish, removing carp etc. lives), and then bring some more back here. We have huge LM in here, like the photo Lusk has with the one with the gizzard shad in his mouth, I saw the exact same thing when they did the fish survey. These LM routinely jump right out of the water.
The reason the board pres thinks a bass only fishery is ok is because we have run across that advice 2x now; one in an article from the MI Conservancy, and one from I believe Michigan State, where they say it isn't that good of a combination. This applies if you don't manage the fishery. Also, a study they had done here in 1991 pointed to the out of balance fishery (then assumed to be stunted bluegill and carp) was a cause of the green hue to the water. My problem with it is the notion, just stock bass and DON'T TELL ANYONE, that is not right.
GF LakeChair came over when I was upset about the newsletter and she has a great idea before she quits (she is hanging on by a thread- we better have a darn good time this weekend on our trip). She wants to develop a five year fishery plan before she goes, that way in the future the other lakes will get taken care of, and we can implement some type of regular culling of the BG program.
Still, if it was my pond, I would low-dose selectively kill the g.shad, install the spawing boxes for the bass, and get about 5 Tiger Muskie in here, but it isn't up to me, just have to get whatever money we can spent on this lake while we can, so I have to go along to get along.
