Mdc's Trout Habitat Project

[Danoinark]

but at least a few old men will have a place to sit down while they lob a scud for a year or two.

Now your talkin' right up my alley.....

[Wayne SW/MO]

Let's look at Crane Creek. 818 acres, 3.2 miles of trout stream. Average around 270 fish per mile, or roughly 1000 fish in the three plus miles under MDC management. Figuring the property is worth $2000 an acre, that means MDC shelled out more than $1600 per fish, to conserve and protect that system. For a fishery that maybe sees a couple thousand anglers a year.

Sounds like a lot, BUT once property is bought the only cost is the taxes and there is no stocking, so all the future fish could be reasonably added to the equation.

The rocks will improve the fishery and it will keep more trout in the area IMO. The biggest problem in the upper end is the lack of lies and that is one reason fish tend to congregate around anglers in the upper end. They need current breaks and eventually I see small pockets being created behind the rocks that will hold more fish.

[Outside Bend]

Sounds like a lot, BUT once property is bought the only cost is the taxes and there is no stocking, so all the future fish could be reasonably added to the equation.

True- and MDC won't be paying taxes. But you can also factor in area maintenance, roads/parking lots/signage, fish, habitat, invertebrate surveys and other conservation-related work. No matter how you slice it, it's a pretty big price tag for an area that at any moment only holds about a thousand fish, and which is only fished by a few hundred anglers a year.

[bigredbirdfan]

I don't have a $60K boat to run in there or anywhere but rather a $4,000 aluminum boat and it's all I've got. I don't want to tear my boat, prop, lower unit or even worse injure myself or my friends and family. It would be a real shame if I went less, filled my boat up at a local dock less, bought a few less jigs and flies at Lilley's and coffee. Most importantly it will be a shame if people that live further than me decide to not come to the area at all. Mr. Orvis with his orvis underware and his $1,000 outfit will be very pleased with these improvements.

[Wayne SW/MO]

True- and MDC won't be paying taxes. But you can also factor in area maintenance, roads/parking lots/signage, fish, habitat, invertebrate surveys and other conservation-related work. No matter how you slice it, it's a pretty big price tag for an area that at any moment only holds about a thousand fish, and which is only fished by a few hundred anglers a year.

I believe there is some payment made to offset the taxes lost. There isn't a lot of infrastructure in the area. A few primitive parking areas for the most part and any of the other related projects are carried out in many areas across the state where there is no sport fishing.

Buying land to preserve access doesn't seem to be that expensive considering the permanent status of land. I believe much of it, and possibly the one in question, is from the 1/8th cent sales tax and fulfills one of the goals..

[Wayne SW/MO]

I don't have a $60K boat to run in there or anywhere but rather a $4,000 aluminum boat and it's all I've got. I don't want to tear my boat, prop, lower unit or even worse injure myself or my friends and family. It would be a real shame if I went less, filled my boat up at a local dock less, bought a few less jigs and flies at Lilley's and coffee. Most importantly it will be a shame if people that live further than me decide to not come to the area at all. Mr. Orvis with his orvis underware and his $1,000 outfit will be very pleased with these improvements.

That area isn't exactly a magnet compared to the waders that also spend money . You do know that there is approximately 25 miles of stocked lake to fish below that area, right?

[bigredbirdfan]

That area isn't exactly a magnet compared to the waders that also spend money . You do know that there is approximately 25 miles of stocked lake to fish below that area, right?

The area is excellent boat fishing during 2-3 units. But I'm not going to risk being thrown in the water by myself because my trolling motor wont move me away from those obstructions when my boats naturally wants to drift toward them.

The white river does as well and is much more peaceful and all around better in most ways.

[fishinwrench]

I don't have a $60K boat to run in there or anywhere but rather a $4,000 aluminum boat and it's all I've got. I don't want to tear my boat, prop, lower unit .....

Hey,.... I love busted lower units. Dont be so selfish

[FishinCricket]

That area isn't exactly a magnet compared to the waders that also spend money . You do know that there is approximately 25 miles of stocked lake to fish below that area, right?

Now there's a thought...

[Zeke Kuehn]

Everybody just fears change. The trout needed these boulders. Due to Table Rock Dam, Taneycomo does not get the sediment load that it should. The dam stops all the sediment, gravel ,and boulders that would have been washed down with the floods anyways. If the area was left untreated by the MDC then it would continue to just get flatter and wider as the years go by. These boulders will slow the water down ,and create great habitat for the fish. The boaters will figure it out, when there is a will there is a way.