I've caught five LMB over 9 lb, three over 10 lb. All were on private waters. My largest panfish, too. Public waters have been good at times, and I've caught LMB & walleye in 7 lb range there. Still, for lunkers I'd take private ponds, mostly due to reduced fishing pressure.
However, you're right that several of the best private waters were not actively managed much, or at all. Some places are naturally fertile & have a great food chain. On the other hand, my current BOW is deep & infertile. Without liming, fertilizing, feeding, and harvesting, it would be a subpar fishery.
If I remember correctly, Bob Lusk has stated that south Texas ponds are exceptional fisheries even without management. Wish my place were like that!
Last edited by anthropic; 06/07/21 10:07 PM.
