No More Hybrid Stocking On Beaver.

[Guest]

The preferred local bait for catching white bass during their annual spring run? live crawdads 

[uofastudent]

1 minute ago, TrophyFishR said:

The preferred local bait for catching white bass during their annual spring run? live crawdads 

Ordered 60 today for that purpose to last me the spring

[Guest]

1 minute ago, uofastudent said:

Ordered 60 today for that purpose to last me the spring

I know a couple ditches you could rake for crawdads that are on the way to Twin bridges. Think flat & grassy

[Stump bumper]

I have always thought that hybrids have grown faster and were easier to catch than strippers yet bigger than whites, so I will miss them. One of the fish that make Beaver more interesting to me then Table Rock. Any day you can be saved from a skunk by a 8lb Hybrid was a good day. I hope people don't eat all the ones still there.

[Bill Butts]

This is a good discussion.....

Norfork Lake will also see discontinued stocking of Hybrid Stripers, consistent with their new management plan.

AGFC has wonderfully dedicated fisheries biologists who use all the research and resources available to evaluate fisheries and make quantified recommendations to improve and sustain the quality of fisheries in AR. I believe there has to be a trust factor in all of this.  While I am disappointed with the decision to eliminate Hybrid Striper stocking in those 2 fisheries (Beaver and Norfork) that I have enjoyed for nearly 20 years particularly during the spring spawning time when they ascend the tributaries, I respect the decision to focus on improving the overall Striper fisheries.

From the countless conversations I've had with fisheries folks over the past 25 years, it is pretty well understood that extreme water level fluctuations significantly influence the forage base of the Temperate species (Striped, Hybrid Striped and White Bass). During normal to moderately varied water level periods, Temperates are known to focus almost 100% on the shad specie(s). But in extreme and usually brief high water level periods, they are opportunistic feeders on other forage options, including the aforementioned crawdads. They have to eat when their metabolism dictates.

Additionally, what we don't see or hear enough is the results of research that is done to quantify the impact of the Temperates on various fisheries. The reality on most, and perhaps nearly every, fishery is that there truly is a very good balance established over time on fisheries with either Hybrid Stripers or Stripers, or both, that directly benefits keeping the forage (shad) base in balance for all species. Research has proven the beneficial effects on growth rates of bass species, crappies and walleye. Yet, countless naysayers have closed their minds to scientific research proving the benefits.

As the AGFC stated in their Norfork plan, nothing is etched in stone and if continuing research would ever indicate the need and benefit for Hybrid Striper stocking to be re-established, they will certainly consider that.

As with our dedicated fisheries folks in MO that I believe we have good reason to hold in high regard and confidence, I choose to believe in and support our southern neighbors to pursuit their work to improve the fisheries of AR for the good and enjoyment of the majority.

To all professional fisheries folks out there, keep up the great work!

Bill 

 

[1969Larson]

9 hours ago, J-Doc said:

If the hybrids do hurt the crawfish population......"they gotta go". I agree with their move and say good call. 

Pretty sure that the smallmouth and largemouth are hurting the population more.  (That should get things started.)

[J-Doc]

Crawfish are a staple for multiple species within the lake.  One species hurting the entire food chain is an issue. 

And before we start that argument....lets not.  It's been peaceful lately.  Let's keep it that way and all smile and move on stay happy. 

[Stump bumper]

45 minutes ago, J-Doc said:

Crawfish are a staple for multiple species within the lake.  One species hurting the entire food chain is an issue. 

And before we start that argument....lets not.  It's been peaceful lately.  Let's keep it that way and all smile and move on stay happy. 

That is just no fun at all...........

[Notropis]

Very interesting discussion!

I visited with Jon a week or so ago and he mentioned discontinuing the hybrid stocking and the reasons behind it.  There has been a change in the upper level of the fish management staff, in the last two years, with a new Chief of Fisheries and two new Regional Supervisors ( a newly created position).  I could tell by talking with Jon that the new staff wants to get away from yearly routine stockings that are not backed up by current data.  This is a move that makes good sense to me.  Fish populations are extremely dynamic, sometimes changing radically from year to year (as evidenced by the difference in fish production between high water years and normal water levels).  In the past, some management biologists would routinely request fish stockings simply because it was what they had done in the past without current data justifying the stockings.  This led to some problems in some cases. The emphasis now from the upper level staff is requiring the management biologists to have current, scientific, data to back up a request for stocking.  From a scientific standpoint I believe this is a good policy.  There will be some growing pains as some stockings will be halted until the biologists can justify them but in the long run in will be a better policy. 

Regarding Jon's statement about the success of the recent walleye spawns and the "self-sustaining" status of the walleye population, it's very possible that the walleye population has reached level that would diminish the need for yearly stockings (especially when the lake is experiencing high water in recent years).   Jon's preliminary data on walleye netting this winter has demonstrated a slight reduction in condition factors (WR's) from almost 100% a couple of years a go to 90% this winter.  While 90% is still good condition, it is a reduction and could indicate competition for forage within the walleye population is increasing or the possibility of high stress during the warm water temperatures of summer or a combination of the two.  There were several discussions this summer and fall about "skinny walleye" and the possible reasons for it, especially since other species seemed to be in good condition.  

Jon is staying ahead of the game with the monitoring of the walleye and I feel confident he will adjust his management strategy accordingly if his data indicates a significant change.            

[Blll]

There was also some discussion on the success ratio of the stocked fish: how many live past the first year. There was not much satisfactory data on that subject. That led to a discussion that less but larger fish for stocking could be more beneficial. I was surprised to hear that the size of stripers when stocked was only about 2"! While they exhibit fast growth, even green sunfish are chowing on these little guys. The cost factor of growing larger fingerlings is an issue. I know that up north, muskies & walleyes are a stocked fish in many waters. Over years of study, a concept of" half as many, twice as big" on both walleye and muskie fingerlings has been deemed more successful in the number fish making it past that 1st year. A problem is that once they reach a certain size in the rearing ponds, they start to eat each other.  I'm all for intelligent "tweeking, rather than a big change.

Let's not screw it up. Interesting thoughts.