If the panfish populations are currently at carrying capacity then adding more of the same species of fish is IMO fruitless. Addition of new species should only be done after a study shows that food resources of a niche are not being utilized. When new fish of existing species are added to a water body that is currently at carrying capacity, the newly stocked fish often die or do not grow well because the existing fish have the "upper hand" and out compete the new stockers.
I suspect that fish harvest has not been adequate in the last year and since young of year fish are readily evident, it is very likely the lake is at carrying capacity. Now all that needs to be done is manage or adjust the numbers in the various size classes to improve growth of the desired group of individuals.
In the instances when both existing and new stockers survive, all the fish that are utilizing the current food resources have to now share resources and growth overall of the species at that trophic feeding level suffers. Isn't the goal actively growing quality fish? If so why is adding more fish and all of them are now growing slower a benefit? A fishery professional should be able to determine is the lake is at carrying capacity, what trophic food sources are under utilized and if more fish or species are beneficial and how to best manage the current fishery with the current conditions of the lake without changing its current nutrient balance or budget. We are taking 10-16 anglers for 210 acres of water. What is the total angler hours on the lake per year (angling hrs/ac/yr)? This basic management fact should be known together with angler and harvest surveys. IMO this is a good basic place to start.
I still contend that for the size of the lake and the few actual users of the fishery, the annual harvest has not been adequate in terms of numbers and/or slot size harvest to achieve the goals and fully utilize or optimize the current lake's fishery potential. The addition of beneficial fish habitat to concentrate the fish and implement best fish harvest guidelines and techniques may be all that is needed to achieve the goals of the "lake association". The wise and experienced fishery professionals who are not just about making money should be able to achieve the goals of the HOA. Before deciding who to hire, I suggest that each applicant submit proposals of work to be performed and goals to be achieved and what the consequences are if those goals are not met and done within budget. If desired we can help evaluate the proposals for selecting the best approach. Be very cautious about spending a lot of money changing the ecology of the lake to benefit only 10-15 anglers. IMO seek advice of how to better manage the existing resources that you currently have. Even if it is educating anglers how to be better ecologically minded anglers and how to properly assist in the management of the fishery.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 11/21/13 08:37 PM.
