Trout Home Hits Stride

[Ham]

I can guarantee you that Taney's browns "do not" have a high mortality rate. Stocked at 13 inches in length, their only predators are blue herons and 20 pound browns. With duck season open, it would be a shame to confuse a blue heron with a duck or goose.

We fish for fun and Blue Herons fish to survive. It would be pretty crappy to whack a Blue Heron because you want to "help" the Browns. If you want to help the Brown Trout, give up trout fishing. That's the only way to make sure you don't kill any accidentily.

There are thousands of trout in the Lake. Plenty to share with the birds and other wildlife. Truth be told, there are most likely too many fish in Taney and a certain level of predation and catch and kill fishing is NEEDED to keep things in balance.

[laker67]

We fish for fun and Blue Herons fish to survive. It would be pretty crappy to whack a Blue Heron because you want to "help" the Browns. If you want to help the Brown Trout, give up trout fishing. That's the only way to make sure you don't kill any accidentily.

There are thousands of trout in the Lake. Plenty to share with the birds and other wildlife. Truth be told, there are most likely too many fish in Taney and a certain level of predation and catch and kill fishing is NEEDED to keep things in balance.

Ham,

My apologies sir. I sometimes forget that this website is visited by other than trout fishermen. I sincerely believe that the blue heron population is out of control.

[taxidermist]

Several times I have seen more herons than trout. yea once there were not many great blue herons but now they dont even migrate due to food factor.

Herons need to be controled as do Cormorants. anyday on White River you see a hundred or more, plus they are already nesting, yes nesting evenin the cold temps I have seen them on nest.

[Phil Lilley]

I would think if fisheries in AR and MO thought that herons were a problem they'd create a season and put a limit on them.

I wonder what the reasoning is behind the season and limit on Sand Hill Cranes are in Kansas?

[laker67]

I would think if fisheries in AR and MO thought that herons were a problem they'd create a season and put a limit on them.

I wonder what the reasoning is behind the season and limit on Sand Hill Cranes are in Kansas?

When you can see anywhere from 10 to 30 herons in the hatchery area, at any given time, I would think that could be a problem. At the trout parks you see no herons or river otters that have taken up residence for any extended period of time. SOH used to fire cannons at night to keep the herons on the move. I haven't heard those cannons, this year, on any night trips that I have made. I know that SOH has installed the bird cages, but they appear to be open on both ends. That is where I see the herons bunched up.

[Phil Lilley]

They closed the ends. No canon because the herons can't get into the stock pens.

I tend to agree- there are alot of herons but in the end it's MDC's call.

[laker67]

They closed the ends. No canon because the herons can't get into the stock pens.

I tend to agree- there are alot of herons but in the end it's MDC's call.

Thanks for the info Phil. At least they are addressing the situation in the hatchery. Those cannons always caught you off guard at night. I've been "jump started" more than once.

[bigredbirdfan]

What would one do with a Heron if a season was created? Are they good to eat?

[troutchaser]

What would one do with a Heron if a season was created? Are they good to eat?

Check out this topic from a couple of years ago: http://ozarkanglers.com/forums/index.php?s...=heron+feathers

It got a little whacky, but I see this discussion heading down the same path.

[Murdoc]

Ham,

Please remember that all the trout fishing in this state is made possible by sportsmen like laker67 and Lilley and bigredbirdfan and troutchaser and myself by paying for fishing license and being there to help when there is a problem. Herons eating trout = problem!