Would like to increase bass size while maintaining large crappie ................... asking too much ??
IMO there may some middle ground of increasing average bass size while still having some large crappie, however the number of large crappie per angler hour will be fewer. However, I think the rule of thumb for this unique pond will be - "The larger the bass become the smaller the average size of crappie will be. The two different populations are tied together as a small bass / large crappie balance in several ways. Deleting or removing enough LMB in a 35 acre small lake to start to see development of some larger bass will be a really big challenge. For starters, LMB removal would maybe need to be 5 to 20 LMB per acre / year that would amount to 200 to 700 LMB from the lake. Is that even feasible for the current anglers using the lake?
One option that should be discussed and considered.
For every 10 - 20 LMB removed 5 hybrid striped bass should be added. This option IMO would reduce the chances of too many crappie quickly over populating the lake and it would help maintain larger crappie for a longer period.
If something is done to change the current fishery balance, EVERY angler should start recording ALL sizes and numbers of every fish caught both released and harvested to provide a data baseline to yearly monitor the changes that are occurring in the balance and size structure of the two fishery populations. If this is not done the Association will have to hire an expensive fishery biologist with shock boat to do the same thing for you.
