Border war over stripers

[Champ188]

Well, well ... the AGFC now seems to have some explaining to do regarding its position about the effect of stripers on other fish species.

For whatever reason, Missouri (MDC) decided to restock stripers into its small portion of Bull Shoals Lake. Interestingly, this upset AGFC folks because ... wait for it ... they don't want stripers restocked in Bull Shoals for fear they will negatively impact other species. Isn't that what striper opponents, myself included, have been saying all along? Freudian slip on the part of the AGFC or what?

Now the AGFC is threatening payback by stocking stripers into the Arkansas section of Table Rock.

Childish shenanigans for certain but again, mighty interesting that stripers suddenly are seen as a weapon rather than the harmless "fun fish" that AGFC has always painted them to be.

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/nov/08/bull-shoals-stripers-spark-feud-for-ark/?sports-outdoors

[wareaglecamo]

interesting stuff Champ . . . To whom it may concern:  Pleeeeeeeeease do not stock them in TR . . . I tend to avoid lakes with stripers and/or muskie . . . years ago my older brother caught a 43 lb striper fishing out of Starkey on Beaver and received a Master Angler award for doing so . . . when I saw that striper, I could only imagine what it takes to satisfy its appetite . . . believe it or not, he landed that striper after dark and fishing out of a 17 ft Grumman square stern canoe with a 5 hp Mercury on the back . . . no trolling motor, only a sculling paddle . . . it pulled that canoe around for a long time before giving in . . . and that was a couple of decades ago . . . which brings up the question of how big are some of these monsters now???

[Tanderson15]

MDC doesn't want them in TR why in BS. Stocking them in their small portion of BS, yea I bet they stay there. They should have left it to Norfork and Beaver. MDC should have left it the way it was and cooperated. Although I like border wars make life interesting. 

[1969Larson]

This is unbelievable and hilarious at the same time. 

Isn't  the Corps of Engineers stocking stripers in Table Rock by opening the flood gates multiple times in the spring? 

Are black bass in Table Rock hurting the striper fishery there by competing for forage?

 

[Stump bumper]

I know those big MO black bass eat AR trout, I have seen them do it right below the dam. But if we put stripers in Table Rock we will need more trout ! 

[Dan the fisherman]

Sounds like a classic case of payback.  . I'm not sure the Agfc will actually go through with it. But I guess n e thing is possible.  Interesting article though.  

[J-Doc]

On ‎11‎/‎8‎/‎2015 at 11:31 AM, Champ188 said:

Well, well ... the AGFC now seems to have some explaining to do regarding its position about the effect of stripers on other fish species.

For whatever reason, Missouri (MDC) decided to restock stripers into its small portion of Bull Shoals Lake. Interestingly, this upset AGFC folks because ... wait for it ... they don't want stripers restocked in Bull Shoals for fear they will negatively impact other species. Isn't that what striper opponents, myself included, have been saying all along? Freudian slip on the part of the AGFC or what?

Now the AGFC is threatening payback by stocking stripers into the Arkansas section of Table Rock.

Childish shenanigans for certain but again, mighty interesting that stripers suddenly are seen as a weapon rather than the harmless "fun fish" that AGFC has always painted them to be.

http://www.nwaonline.com/news/2015/nov/08/bull-shoals-stripers-spark-feud-for-ark/?sports-outdoors

I read an updated report on this recently.

It seems the main "anti-striper" contact on the Arkansas side is a bass angler.  Thus why he's against it.  The entire thing is quite childish and said contact accused MDC of "lying" and stocking stripers into the lake anyway when they said they wouldn't. 

While I honestly do not care one way or the other, I COMPLETELY agree that Table Rock is a great fishery for bass and should NOT be impacted by stocking ANYTHING without great consideration, collaborative effort, and I would think........some serious research and deliberation before just a giant "pissing-match".

It's the behavior of a few that can greatly impact many. This is the case here with how the situation is being handled by both sides.  It's just sad.  I hope they can put their egos aside and try to be professional about it and work together and collaborate on a unified front.  Guess that is asking way too much in today's world.  Just look at how screwed up politics is these days.  This entire thing is political and about power. 

I do hope they work it out and figure out what's best for both sides.  I really don't see the need for stripers in Table Rock with Beaver and Norfork so close to each other honestly.

[Champ188]

Couldn't agree more. Bunch of big kids playing with some dangerous "toys." A lot like Congress.

People with lots of money seem to need more and more extravagent things to entertain themselves. Likewise, people hooked on power seem to need higher and higher stakes to satisfy their cravings.

 

[J-Doc]

Yep. Thus why I don't really follow politics.  Angers me way too quickly.

If I did follow it, I'd probably be one of those dooms day prep types with about 20 AR-15's, enough canned food to feed a small army and stored at an "undisclosed" location near the lake. LOL!

[Old plug]

It certainly is childish. Here at LOZ the excuse about stocking more than a minimal amount was that same excuse about impact. I have no doubt that they can do it if numbers or high enough. But i was told by some one who was involved in the decision in some way at the time that some of it was some bussiness people around here were complaining that they ate too many crappie and it might impact on theire business.