fishing report

[crappiefisherman]

why do fish make spawning runs?just cause they are introduced species to the lake , dont mean they dont have the spawning urge.Even if the eggs dont hatch it doesnt mean they dont go through the actions.I personaly believe viable spawning exists in bull shoals.Maybe not on a grand scale but I cant beleive all fish are hatchery introduced.The thing I believe that hinders fish most of all are the widely varying water levels.Last spring the lake was very low, this year it will be high.Some beds may be dry before hatch.Also as much as I love fishing in spring, hundreds of folks lining up to slay spawning white bass, seem to me to be hurting the future of the fish.I know several statements of life long fishing have been made and I remember camping on kdock and catching whites every morning and evening , like clockwork as there was thousands of them there.I havent seen large schools of whites, in several years now.This is a very agreesive and fast growing fish, are we thinning them out too much?

[vonreed]

I hear you on the white bass Crappiefisherman. IMO 15 white bass is way more than enough for a limit. I would be happy with half that. There's too many people now for a limit that big IMO.

[taxidermist]

Back when there were lots of BIG STRIPERs in BUll SHoals they made spawning runs. Some of the locals around the Lead Hill area found where the stripers were going and gigged them. Other whould gill net them. One reason I think the AGFC quit stocking them.

There are walleye runs in Bear Creek, and East Sugar Loaf but not near like the Forsyth area.

Ok with the AGFC stocking over 1,000,000 eyes per year you woud think some natural spawn would occur.

Now along with that, both of my Grandpas gigged walleye on White River way before the dams.

The St Francois River, Black River, Spring River(AR) and middle White (Batesville area) have walleyes. I have mounted a bunch of 18-21 lb walleyes from the middle White River. I would think those are natural spwaner.

There has to be some natural spawning occuring, maybe not in the Power Site area, I am not a bioligist, if I can locate Mark Oliver (AGFC cheif bio) nolonger with the AGFC he will know I will see if I can find him.

Could the large runs at Power Site be coming from both AR and MO stockings?

There is a new nursey lake built on West Sugar Loaf, just for raising Walleye fry, North on Hwy & from Leadhill and take the first left dirt road at the bootom of the first hill. Its a super large nursery pong to produce even more walleye fry.

The area was my old duck hunting area!!

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think when when it comes to keeping fish you have to consider what it does to the resource. Walleye aren't going to be hurt, they're stocking more than I personally think they should, Largemouth can be supplemented if necessary. Rainbows could use a little more protection in the trophy area but otherwise they are endless, Browns aren't exotic unless allowed to reach full potential. River Smallmouth on the other hand are on their own and fighting an uphill battle.

The White Bass are running uphill also because their spawning window has been very narrow and when they do get it they're hit pretty hard by fishermen.

:ph34r:

[Jeremy Rasnick]

Speaking of keeping fish....you have to catch them first. I fished the pothole last night 2/16/07 and again this morning. Didn't have a fish. There were a couple of other boaters up there and the only thing I saw caugh was a carp. It may have been a walleye. We fished, sliders, jerk baits, maribou jigs and also drifted crawlers......all with no takers. We the weather warming up next week things should pick up. Also, I didn't see as many shad this weekend as I did last weekend. Rumor has it that the fishing was great before the shad became so abundant....hopefully now that there are fewer shad the fish will get hungry agian.

[powerdive]

Bunch of us tourney guys are having an informal outing out of Beaver this Saturday (between storms). Meeting for breakfast at the Wagon Wheel about 7:00, then down to the ramp by 8 or so, back in at 3 or 4. Banker's hours. Come on down, say hi, talk walleyes a bit!

[Martin]

And the "fruit jar tourney" is open to anyone. Come on down...!!

Speaking of walleye stocking information, here's a reply from Ken Shirley (Ark Fish & Game) to Bob Rogers posted today on another site.

I'll attempt to add a link. Very interesting stuff.

http://www.lakestockton.com/read.php?34,21510