Stripers On The White River

[Feathers and Fins]

Did you see other stripers or was it a blind strike?

[1969Larson]

They were not generating when i caught that fish. I see them cruising up and down through the first long deep pool downstream of the dam and just upstream of the Parker Bottoms access. I think there are a couple of schools of 8 or 10 fish that run together in there (although it might be the same school I'm seeing multiple times). You're right though, they are really spooky. I think the best bet is a stealthy canoe approach right at dusk with something you can throw a mile. I would say that if you have seen them its too late.

[Feathers and Fins]

looks like a 27 to 29'' fish is that correct? If so it means a lot of fish got dumped over the dam in the flood years because that is maybe a 12 to 18pnd fish way smaller than the typical ones which is time as there are new blood I hadnt seen yet.

[1969Larson]

That guy was 33 inches. Somewhere around 15 lbs. Definitely some bigger ones running through there.

[Feathers and Fins]

Nice then there is some new blood if it was only 15lbs. Its such a untapped fishery with some true trophy's running around in it. The biggest reason I don't keep them there is the trophy potential and how much fun it is catching one that size. There really is not enough for anyone to worry about wasting time and money on trying to get them out, I say leave them be they cant reproduce and gives people a chance at a fish of a lifetime.

[exiledguide]

Another vote for Rainbow pattern Redfin largest size and Pencil Popper.

[1969Larson]

How many 12-inch trout can a 30-40 lb striper eat in a day?

[Feathers and Fins]

Most I have ever found was 3 but it tried for my bait which was an AC Plug so im thinking 4 probably.

[1969Larson]

Well then say there are two dozen 30-pounders in there and say they each eat 2 trout a day... then [check my math] that is 48 trout a day or 17,520 a year. I think the AGFC typically stocks around 100,000 trout in the Beaver tailwaters each year (avg a little less than 10,000/month) so they could put a dent in the trout population.... but not too bad. I light of that, I will turn back every OTHER fish. OR if the AGFC will write me an exemption to the barbless hook requirement in there then I'll keep 'em all. I will promise not to throw anything with a barb that a trout could ever bite. (Besides, it is fun to fish next to a dry fly fisherman and throw a lure that is larger than what he is catching.)

[Feathers and Fins]

That would require them eating that many each day and they don't, fish are not like people who eat for no reason. Nor are they successful every trip to Taco-bell. I have been chasing them over there 8 years and though by no means is this scientific but I would put the population at maybe 100 to 150 even taking into account the new little guys. I have caught the same fish multiple times without a doubt.

I know this because there is someone over there who has tagged them with those clothes tag sticker holder things with different colors. Stripers still prefer shad though for some reason even there and I have watched them pass up a trout for shad on more than one occasion forcing me to switch from swim baits to bucktails and cranks. It seems the only time they are keyed in purely on trout is when they are above Houseman access.

Your numbers on how many they take each year are probably high I would guess it more in the 5 to 10,000 range at most and even that might be high they really prefer the shad it seems. The largest school I have ever seen over there was maybe 50 fish and I caught it just right to see. The generators had come on and I was lucky enough to be on a school of shad. We all know what happens when cold water hits a large school of shad! About 3 or 4 minutes after the stun the stripers showed up and I got to witness a neat show, also learned that day Walleye do the same thing. They let Us make a buffet for them.

The lesson of that day was try and learn when Army Corps will generate be on the white several hours before and find the biggest shad school you can and stay on it till generation and for 30 minutes you can have the time of your life if everything works out. But if the shad don't stun you wont catch a thing. Man im giving to many secrets out.