Angler Input Requested, Thought I Would Share

[Matt Henry]

Angler Input Requested for Table Rock Lake Survey

By: Sam Clanton

Posted: Friday, April 12, 2013

The Missouri Department of Conservation is asking for input from anglers who like to fish on Table Rock Lake. The department wants to improve on a national fish habitat initiative, and is asking fishermen to participate in an online survey.

Mike Allen is a biologist with the Shepherd of the Hills Fish Hatchery in Branson

For more information about the survey or fish habitat initiative, contact Allen at 334-4859.

Survey link: https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/VLYYGM6

[abkeenan]

Completed the survey, thanks for the link. Only takes 1-2 minutes and I am sure the guys/gals at the MDC appreciate the feedback and it is all in effort to make our time on the water more enjoyable and preserve our fishery and resources. Whether you like the MDC fish habitat program or not feedback is the best way to let them know what to do or not do.

[Champ188]

Just my opinion, but Table Rock isn't lacking in any way for habitat. Its plentiful natural habitat is among the things that make it one of the top bass lakes in the country. Fish can hardly swim without bumping into a big rock or a cedar tree. We went thru this a couple of years ago where they were dumping loads of unwanted concrete and timber on some prime smallmouth gravel flats near the dam. MDC would do better to spend its time and resources on other lakes.

[CanoeBoy]

"There's a fine line between fishing and standing on the shore like an idiot." Steven Wright

[Topwater TRL]

I agree with Champ188. Some of the finest small mouth fishing areas in the dam area have been made almost impossible to drag lures on bottom on expansive gravel flats and points because of the man made habitat they placed. Rock piles would be better in that application IMO for those areas if they just have to add something to what nature has provided. Sometimes less is more. I do appreciate their asking and I gave them my thoughts.

[Quillback]

I could see adding some rock piles, they are definite fish magnets. One thing l saw this winter when the water was low, was how many brush piles are in that lake at least around the Big M area. They are a lot of them out there. I could see adding shoreline cover to provide shelter for fingerlings, but seeing how the lake levels fluctuate so much it wouldn't make much sense to try.

[abkeenan]

I agree with all the sentiments of the above posts. When I filled out the survey I said that the shallow habitat that they made was kinda useless almost because of the fluctuation of the water level and TR bass are more inclined to stay deep for the most part. Have seen QUITE a bit of rock piles completely out of the water on the bank which is obviously not going to hold fish. Even at normal power pool it would be in like 1-5 feet of water and also don't think it is much of a fish attractant. If it floods like it did in 2008 and 2011 then I could see it coming into play but how often does the flooding of that magnitude happen? Not often. Also said that rock piles were probably the best thing they added because of the reason you all have mentioned above. Also like stump fields on some of the areas they placed them. That is why there is this survey guys, to help them and us.

[Champ188]

Amen and amen. At least they seek input from the fishermen and actually read/listen to it. It's a bit different down here in Arkansas.

[Quillback]

Good point on the stumps, ab. Bass like them and they're not the snag magnets that brushpiles are. Dunno if you guys watch "Hook and Look", but there was an episode where they were fishing and underwater filming on a Georgia lake that was known for a good population of spots, they did some filming around a stump field and the spots were definitely hanging out around the stumps. There was one big spot that was sitting completely underneath a stump hiding out in the roots.

[dtrs5kprs]

Kind of a rock pile fan. Do need to be careful where they place them. There are some in out of the way spots that can be very good. Some of the brush also loads up with fish. Also remember the brush won't last.