Bob Lusk, the editor of my favorite magazine! Thank you for your detailed examination of my lake's issues. I'm most honored.
So, I'll concentrate on habitat, food chain, genetics and harvest. There isn't much I can do about genetics, but years ago 6 pound bass weren't that uncommon. Nor were bluegill which at times looked as big as catchers' mitts. The BG are sometimes still pretty large, though not as plentiful. I would think the genetics are still fine.
We're working on the habitat. I expect weeds to thrive in the small area behind the fence we put up last fall. I fenced off a much smaller corner of a bay the previous year and the pond weeds went wild there. Nevertheless, I anxiously await the extinction of the grass carp.
As for the food chain, I can do the feeders. I will have trouble buying all those forage fish recommended by Jones Hatchery though. Imagine telling your wife that you're buying two fish feeders for $1,400 and writing a check for $3,500 for forage fish for your weekend property.
As to harvest, well, I've been doing the best I can removing the crappie (more than 850 of them last season). Many weeks I fish two straight days for them. In the morning you can count two dozen vultures in the dead trees overhead of where I dumped the crappie the previous evening. I obviously need to harvest bass too, so I'll have to divide my efforts somewhat.
I still have a lot to study and digest from your post. You gave me a lot here and I truly appreciate your time and interest. Thanks!
