Pond Boss Forums Thread Like Summary - OKWD new rule to promote LMB harvest < 16"

I think Oklahoma just did a great thing to improve LMB populations across the state, now allowing harvest of 6 daily LMB with only 1 over 16" allowed. I know we promote harvesting our ponds, now this gets directly implemented to our great bass lakes. Rule change started 9/11/22.

https://www.wildlifedepartment.com/fishing/resources/blackbass

I see this as a high probability that "we" don't see what they see. Problem is, no 2 lakes are the same, but in most any lake-from the state's view- if you have a 15" limit, you're going to have high numbers of 14" fish. In a lake with 18" limit, 17's and down are the rule.
In KS, when they allow a change to cull smaller fish, it's a short-term fix for a problem they see coming in another species present.
They may not tell you that, but I've seen this from the "inside".
Note they also say high density, slow growing fish in small impoundments. I think it's also reasonable to suggest mortality goes up with size of impoundment as a rule.. more nest destruction, less favorable habitat, more adverse conditions..
Understanding what the target is through their eyes may be hard to determine.
I did catch a couple of things in Randy's video that still suggest his views are angler perspective and not biological perspective (both legit) but who knows??? Interested in seeing how this progresses.

BASS Classic has been held at Grand Lake twice. It brings in dump truck loads of $$$$. I'm sure OK's Fisheries Division will make this new plan work with tourneys, and still be entertaining.

Toyota and TPWD turned a slot lake, Lake Fork, into a whole weekend of BASS tournament fun and huge lmb hitting the stage by allowing one over the slot to be brought in, but all lmb caught weighed. At Fork, that lmb was normally over 8 pounds. The other lmb caught were weighed and released on the water. Tons of TPWD staff and equipment were on location helping pond owners and fishermen learn how lakes and ponds are managed, and how they can help them. I bet this didn't go unnoticed by other states.

Will be interesting to see the results ,or lack thereof, of the Grand Lake stocking. What size LMB were stocked?

From local articles about the stocking and somewhat confusing:

"ODWC Fisheries staff stocked 93,000 Tiger Bass fingerlings in Grand Lake. Tiger Bass are a true F1 Florida largemouth bass and northern largemouth bass cross. Tiger Bass have a better thermal tolerance than Florida LMB, but retain the Florida LMB growth potential. These fish will help increase trophy potential at Grand Lake.

This effort is made possible by generous donations from The Kevin VanDam Foundation ($5K), Oklahoma Wildlife Conservation Foundation ($5K), Flying Squirrel Farms ($10K), the Swank Family Foundation ($5K), Whiskey Point at Grand Lake ($5K), Southstone Construction ($5K), and Grove Convention and Tourism Bureau ($5K)

https://okwildlifefoundation.org/news/tiger-bass-stocking


Florida-strain largemouth bass can be advantageous, not only because they boost fishing interest in a lake but also potentials for tourism in adjacent lake communities. However, they’re typically less aggressive biters in cold weather, and young Florida bass have trouble surviving winters in lakes as far north as Grand."

Notice no State money involved other than time of ODWC personnel. Also see the pic of the habituation cages used to protect the fingerling fish.



https://www.fox23.com/news/new-tige...-o-cherokees/URIOUZTNLBEOVCWBABLDAXCSMU/

Rod, there's slot limits all over KS. Some are 12-15" go back, anything under or over can be kept. A couple are 13-18" slots. Kansas regs say unless otherwise posted, all black bass will be 15" to be legal. Reason for this is there are too many exceptions to list.

Not going to grow lots of big Fla or Fla cross LMB in Okla Res. or locations north of there, like in Lake Fork. Different environment. Concept could still work with a lake managed for lots of forage and limited predators.

I have a mix of pure Floridas, pure Northern, and F1s. Probably will stock a new batch of F1s every 2 or 3 years. So far my largest is only around 7 lb, but strongly suspect bigger ones are deeper than we usually fish. CNBG are in very good shape due to feeding, threadfin shad, tilapia & golden shiners also stocked, so there should be plenty of eat. Maybe the addition of artificial habitat will concentrate some of the bigguns where they can be more easily caught!

+1 to what Snipe said regarding each lake should have its own management/harvest plan. In the end, for this plan Oklahoma has to increase trophy LMB production to work, someone has to harvest the little LMB. Not sure this is going to happen anyway. Meathunters tend to focus on catfish, crappie, and bream.

As for all the fish bunching at just below the length limit. Yep. I remember my Dad's disgust after tripping to Canton Lake and catch and releasing the great majority of the WE he caught which he claimed were 17.75 inches ... just under the 18" legal limit. He was stopped from fishing three times by GWs and when he had fish they measured each one. I have never understood statewide length limits and I never will. I like water that is managed for a purpose.

Oh and slots? These were invented to remedy the effect of years of minimum length limits on lakes. Even so, a day on the water is always a blast. My father used to say, "You can't please everyone all the time" So maybe its OK to just enjoy the water with all its faults?