Snipe,

I've seen examples where LMB successfully controlled BG and also where they didn't. Where LMB don't control BG sufficiently this tends to be water where LMB standing weights (and numbers) are below what BG productivity can support. Overstocking, reducing harvest, are ways to help the LMB in such cases. I see the SAE as a way to overstock predators ... especially ... where LMB (or more LMB) are unwanted. Are SAE as easily caught as LMB? If not, that's another plus when one wants to keep them in the water to consume overabundant prey. Seems like you mentioned they preferred lepomis? By this I presumed they most often are found in stomach contents. Lepomis rest on bottom at night and relative to things like shad and minnows would be especially vulnerable to predators at night. Not sure if that makes a difference to SAE but it would seem a good match.

It isn't what we don't know that gives us trouble, it's what we know that ain't so - Will Rogers