Bill , as usual you are dead on with the comment. Look to Calif experience stocking small RT into LMB lakes. The temps stay at the 55-65 range for most of the winter so the RT do ok but the LMB absolutely hammer them. The short time it is colder the LMB metabolism goes way down and few RT are consumed much less chased down. When it starts to warm up the RT that are still small are eaten. When it warms up well and the RT and shad are forced into a small zone (temp and O2)they become easy forage for LMB. That is the main reason the LMB can get so big and fat.

See these about Calif LMB and LMB feeding , temps and metabolism .

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Number=22664&page=1

http://forums.pondboss.com/ubbthreads.ph...=true#Post87610



Last edited by ewest; 11/30/11 04:33 PM.