PF it sounds like CA has some poor mgt. The states (not CA) and universities I work with and know about have had very good success with the part of the WB and other $ allotted to them for study and mgt. They often combine money from several sources to make ends meet. I can't speak for the rest of the $ that the agencies may use elsewhere as I don't follow that closely.

We are all on the learning curve as there are always more mysteries to uncover. FWIW our lakes are not managed for trophy LMB but more for balance. I do know from some of the study sources that CA has had good success with LMB (Fla) with TShad and RT in some of their small reservoirs. The combo of year round water temps and stocking (year round growth) have led to some trophy LMB. There is a very good thread here on the subject.