Size Of Stocked Fish?

[Jerry Rapp]

you guys sound like bass fisherman! LOL! Taney is a put and take fishery, that the tourists obviously love. Drop the wife off at the show's and then go catch some fish that always bite. I will suggest for fun, just for fun, make it like the other extreme like all of the other Ozark Lakes. Make it a self sustaining fishery. Impose what limits/restrictions needed to maintain it. It would never fly because the guys who dropped their wives off would get mad and not fish. It is a catch 22 situation. But the present situation seems to be working pretty good. Enjoy what you have.

[fishbobber]

Amen!!!!

[Wayne SW/MO]

I believe if they restricted the outlet fishing it would stop a lot of the bigger fish from being killed or injured and it would also allow for better fishing throughout the lake.

The problem is I've had two occasions where a big fish was caught, held until someone went to the truck for a camera and then held for multiple pictures. One fish was in the net, but was held for probably 3 or 4 minutes out of the water. That's why I would like to see a rule where te fish can't be taken from the water. There is no need really.

I guess I'm just always in the wrong place when it comes to herons. I've watched them for decades and never seen them take anything bigger than a 3 or 4" perch. I have no doubt they can take a trout in the small range, but I would imagine the eagles and osprey take a lot more. Taney is well stocked with eagles and they eat heartily.

[mdk]

I seen a heron once that caught a trout, it was so big that he couldn't get it down. he tried for several minutes but couldn't do it. he finally spit it out and flew off. bad for the fish, but funny to watch.

[wayne b]

don't know about trout but I watched a heron eat a 10 in white bass at grand lake. it took the heron a while but he eventually got the fish down head first

[Bill Babler]

I guide between 200 and 400 persons per year for the last 22 yrs. on Taney and the fishery in that time period has been basically the same. The exception has been a bit bigger fish released at times since they went to the 4 fish limit. Not all time mind you and we will still get lots of fish 8" and some under, but growing fish is just like farming. Not every animal in the pen is growing at the same rate. A pen of 5000 to average 11.5" will have to no doubt have shorter and longer fish to make the average.

Very, very seldom do I have a trout fisherman complain about the size fish we catch on Taney. Notice now I said TROUT FISHERMAN Folks that on a continuing basis that fish for trout across this country 9 out of 10 times think the size of our fish is very good.

Non trout fishermen, deep sea fisherman or striper fishermen usually think they run to the small side. Strictly what you think you know about fishing. At times here and even with all the years that I have guided in Alaska I am appreciative of the size of our fish.

As for the Heron's, this is a huge problem. They are more than a major factor in the number of fish we have in the lake. Their consumption is tremendous I witness this most everyday I am in the restricted zone where they can fish in shallow water. They are also a huge consumer of wood duck ducklings. The numbers we have here are majoring on the extreme with I believe at least 5 rookeries of adults producing young without any natural predators.

I would like to see a federal wildlife agent count their numbers lake wide. Would be pretty easy, and I believe there would be close to 1000 birds lake wide. Just say those birds don't get to eat everyday, but they for sure will eat at least once every third day with I'm sure some of the more experienced eating multiple times per day. Even at that you have a thousand birds eating 1 fish each per week that is 4000 fish per month. or right at 50,000 per year. Way to many, and we probably need some kind of a control mechanism. Be really nice to have a study here.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I have been fishing the lower end a lot lately. For what ever reason the size tends to run in "groups"? Lately we have had days with good catches of nice heavy 12" fish, slim silver streaks of 12" fish or 8-10" slim silver streaks? I don't know, but suspect these are hatchery mates that stick together.

At any rate there is a a lot docks in the area of Branson and Rockaway where you can bundle up and stay warm while fishing.

[Big Brown Trout]

Way to many, and we probably need some kind of a control mechanism. Be really nice to have a study here.

sorry for the late reply but this is something I have noticed to.

I say we should shoot them. there is in no way any shortage of Herons. That said trout are paid for with tax dollars and I would prefer if people (even if they aren't me) got them. A salmon documentary showed how stocked populations of salmon are preyed upon by legions of seagulls which have themselves become a major problem. I would hate to see that happen around here.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fTCQ2IA_Zss

also this months issue of Missouri conservationist had a request by mdc to ideas as to how conservation should be focused in Missouri. Someone should bring this up with them.

current issue:

http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag

[Riverwhy]

i have read that herons consume around 13 ounces per day unless they are feeding young when their consumption of fish doubles. I personally think herons largely prey on pretty small fish and have minimal impact on a large body of water. However, as a society we have eliminated or reduced most predators that would keep herons, otters, etc. in check and it is politically incorrect to suggest shooting as a method of control.

[Quillback]

I took my young nephew fishing for bream on one of the Bella Vista lakes a few years ago. There was a heron nearby and to entertain the nephew, I started throwing 4-5 inch bream up on the bank for the heron to eat. I can't remember exactly how many it ate, but at least a 1/2 dozen. They can eat a lot of fish.