Saturday Was Awesome.

[Bird Watcher]

does this mean we are all good now boys?

I'm not. It was warm last weekend and these guys couldn't beat the fish off their hooks. I was busy and couldn't fish. Now it's cold and rainy. That means when I get to go fishing this weekend everyone will say, "you should have been here last weekend. They were on fire". That makes me cranky in anitcipation. What I like to do when I'm cranky is head to the lake and go fishing. It's a never ending cycle.

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

OK

[Phil Lilley]

You can go trout fishing!

[dprice]

Bump

[powerdive]

does this mean we are all good now boys?

Of course! The innocent were protected, no opinions were changed, and all is well. TV-style bass fishing still rules, unfortunately, but we're all on the same side overall, and always have been.

[REDSOXWSCHAMP]

Of course! The innocent were protected, no opinions were changed, and all is well. TV-style bass fishing still rules, unfortunately, but we're all on the same side overall, and always have been.

why is that unfortunate?

[Bill Babler]

I'VE BEEN SLANDERED!!!!!. You Ding-Dongs, beating up on poor old Bill down here in Branson on beautiful Table Rock Lake.

This has got to be the biggest Stockton Lake tread that has ever been. Did not think you could elude me for long did ya?

First let me say this about that. Cannot remember who wrote it but saying those were 2 pound fish that got the grease bath for granny, has not been fishin in a spell. Those were quality LM looks like most were brimming with eggs. My guess however is the lake is not going to miss them from the latest electro fishing reports and if you like bass no-bless-no-blez. Who cares about killing 15,000 bass fry? Granny probably does not like Halibut, Salmon, Grouper, Red Snapper or Tilapia from the store that is about the same price per pound as a day on the lake.

As Shane eluded to in his blog, Bass harvests on Missouri lakes take into consideration that the majority of bass fishermen are catch and release, especially when just about anyone can catch them during the spawn.

He also stated that if anglers decided to harvest keeper size bass in a larger percentage it would quickly effect the population.

After our fish kill here on the Rock our biologist at that time told me that just the guides harvesting 15 inch fish for our clients would be extremely detrimental to the fishery. The shear pursuit of the black bass species completely overshadows all other species combined and produces a huge burden on any of our Midwestern lakes, to sustain a population. Especially on Corps of Engineer lakes that do not provide a stable spawning platform and also were the bass population is not supplemented by stocking.

The black bass species is not stocked in Table Rock lake and contrary to what the young man said they are not stocked on an annual basis in Stockton As a matter of fact the last Stockton LM bass stocking I could find was in 1973. I'm sure there have been others, but I could not find them on the MDC site.

As far as the high water events in 2008 and 2011 they have had a two fold effect. First they have helped to enhance very low LM bass numbers on Table Rock and have really helped enhance the Smallmouth numbers with lots of year class fish now being caught that are sub-legal and from those classes. Wonderful deal for the Jaws.

Not so good for the Spotted bass. Spotted bass thrive in clear water conditions where they can spawn very deep at times. On the Rock I have seen beds with good light penetration in the 20 plus foot levels. Conditions were off color high water in 8 and 11 and this did not bode well for the K's. We are seeing it the last two years. with very few if any 8 to 12 inch Kentucky's coming to the boat. Most of the K's now are 14 to 18 in fish. All my colleges have noticed this. Not near the numbers but much larger fish.

You all know me, I'm really not a fish killer of any species, I just love to see them in the pond and see the joy folks get from catching them. I turn loose 100 legal size walleye for everyone I keep. I don't kill bass, and I usually will eat a mess or two of crappie a year, usually that a friend gives me. No more than 1/2 dozen fish or so. Trout on the other hand that are stocked, I will have on a monthly basis.

With the majority of us doing this it allows a meal or two for Granny, and that is what it is all about. Thinking there is an unlimited supply however is very short sighted and irresponsible. Comes from youth and really just not knowing.

Good Luck up on beautiful Stockton lake and leave a few for us old guys.

Sincerely BB

[aarchdale@coresleep.com]

I dive Table and Bull frequently and for every 100 keeper bass i may see 1 keeper walleye or Crappie. Maybe they get spooked easier. But i find that hard to believe when i can bump into a brush pile then catch fish on it while banging around in an aluminum boat. Probably even see more smallies and LM on Bull. I think there is plenty if someone wants a mess of fish. I would def keep bass if i didnt catch a bunch of crappie this spring and wouldnt feel bad about it one bit.

[dprice]

Yep genetics are very important . Great job everyone for your beliefs. The young man caught some Great fish and was proud! I ve seen him with several good ones this year. Keep it up and I'd say he'll live his dream ! Fish kills are terrible indeed miles of 4 pounders floating . Blows your mind how many they are ? On time on tablerock in a slight rain we caught schooling bass for 10 - 15 minutes ! They ere 4 pounders ! My concern is the zebra muscle entrance. I don't believe for a minute stockton can overcome this fellers? D Price

[Unimog]

I'm pretty neutral on the keeping of bigger fish. I personally don't do it unless I'm bringing them back for stocking in my 10 acre pond. Mdc told me to take about 300 bass a year out of my pond so there would be plenty of forage to grow bigger bass. So many ponds you fish are full of little stunted fish. So should we apply the same reasoning to the larger lakes? I don't know how this works on larger bodies of water.

I'd also recommend if the keeping of bass bothers you, never go to toledo bend. I was appalled this past march when I saw the numbers and size of bass being cleaned at the station where I was. They took probably 10 of those plastic wash tubs full of fish remains out of there a day. I've never seen anything like that on Stockton so I don't worry too bad.