Where Is Everyone?

[Joe C]

I know this may be a dumb question, but what is the problem? Numbers of fish? Size of fish? Stocking number? Poaching? I'm not there and I cant tell if you dont make it clear to me. All I have is the web cam and this forum to get my information.

[rollcaster]

Joe, you just need to read the previous posts. Basically its numbers of fish, or the lack thereof.

[stlfisher]

I think it is a two fold problem.

First, there is clearly a lack of fish and I think it has to do with all the flooding a couple years ago. All the parks and especially Shepard of the Hills hatchery lost a lot of young fish and we are seeing the inpact last year and this year. The stocking rates are lower because of this.

Secondly, less people probably fish due to economic concerns and since the park is usually stock per aniticipated angler then that mean less fish are present. There are still plenty I am sure, but they aren't so crowded anymore and that gives them more room to swim around and find better hiding spots away from the crowds. it kind of makes it seem more scarce than it probably is.

Last time I was there zone 1 really seemed deserted to me.

I am going down May 21,22, and 23 with a group of friends so I will be sure to report back what I find.

[NoLuck]

Hey Guys, Don't get me wrong, I know that there are not as many fish there that used to be. I was down Monday and the water had cleared up and you could really see what was in the stream. I could see fish but not in the numbers as years past. That also includes last years numbers. I fished from 8am till about 6:45pm. I caught fish but it wasn't easy. The most fish I could see was above the dam to the end of the island and down below the hatchery outlet to the whistle bridge. Most of the fish I caught were smaller than in years past too which means to me that the fish being released are smaller than they want to release.

I believe that there is something wrong with how Bennett is being run too but, I think it is an issue with fish availability. I see things that have gone on for the last couple of years that is a downward trend but I still see a ton of people there. I wish I knew how to fix it but I don't. I guess if people want to go fishing and catch a fish every time you throw a line in the water this is not the place to be fishing for now. I'll continue to fish there and hope they get through this lull in fish supply. I truely believe that the supply of fish has been hurt here after all of the floods.

JM2cents

[Predator1]

Bennett's fish like to swim against the current. Doubt the flood put too bad of a hurt on em.

Bennett went and started a gold fish farm after donating the trout farm to the state. Over the years they now supply most of the world with little goldfish and big koi.

I think that is how it went. If I remember correctly I read that in a Missouri Conservation Magazine. Not sure which month it was, but I know I read it in one of them within the last 12 months. I read this forum more than my own work. Been caught reading it at work. So what. I like to fish.

Maybe who ever runs that company now has the "SECRET TROUT FARM BIBLE" . Try and Get them involved. I don't have their phone number.

Or maybe its in the food that cost a quarter. Or maybe they been cooking them up at the restaurant.

Whatever the case may be I am still going to take my Step-dad up there next week. After all, its a nice place and I get tired of the same ole place on Taneycoma.

Heck if you want to catch a HUGE TROUT see Phil's Story on the guy at Beaver Tailwater on the MY LINK below.

My link

Good Luck and SAFE FISHING

[stlfisher]

I don't think the flooding affected the fish in the stream that much, but the flooding killed many of the fish at Sherpard of the Hills and other hatcheries because it caused the water temperature through the hatchery to rise to lethal levels.

It also decimated the eggs and such while they where trying to spawn the fish. I remember reading (admittedly I can't remember where) that they lost 30% of the fish and many of the adults as well.

I had a reliable fishing friend also tell me that Meramac had a fish kill last year right before the C&R season. I didn't fish Meremac until last year so I can't compare it to anything else, but it seemed the fish only are in a few spots.

I do agree that there were so many fish at Bennett in the past that we probably got spoiled. There are still fish and I like a little challenge, but my expectations won't be as high as the used to. Regardless, it is always a great time to fish the stream with a few friends.

[fishinwrench]

I believe that there is something wrong with how Bennett is being run

I agree, but probably for different reasons. To me and quite a few others I know of, it has to do with the unwarranted change of atmosphere and nazi tactics of the ones running it. The weekend-cigar urbanite types don't seem to mind that kinda stuff because I guess they are used to it. But I'm not, so they can have it.

Didn't know about the goldfish thing...what's that about ? LOL

[Gavin]

I couldnt care less about Bennett Springs, but why dont you call or email the hatchery and/or the biologist in charge and ask them what's going on. Lower stocking numbers, smaller fish, numbers of tags sold, trout production problems?I'd be very surprised if they couldnt provide an answer. Cheers.

[NoLuck]

I don't think the flooding affected the fish in the stream that much, but the flooding killed many of the fish at Sherpard of the Hills and other hatcheries because it caused the water temperature through the hatchery to rise to lethal levels.

No I don't think that the floods affected the fish in the streams too much. But it did flood the hatcheries in MO. This is what I meant and I guess I should have clarified that. Sorry.

Only the people running the show may know how much damage was done. I heard from a couple of people that there were small trout washed out of the hatchery and that the ones in there got all mixed up. I don't know how accurate that is but that is what I was told by a couple of people.

[ozark trout fisher]

Sounds like no one likes Bennett anymore... Maybe I should plan a trip down there and have the whole place to myself.

I can understand the frustration with a fairly expensive security camera going up at the same time the hatchery is struggling to put out enough fish.