Members Moflash Posted August 28, 2017 Members Share Posted August 28, 2017 I have fished Stockton lake for over 35 years steady and have noticed that the last 3 years the amount of fish caught and the quality or size of fish has decreased dramatically.I have also noticed when running my Hummingbird Helix 10 for many miles at different depths and structures the numbers of fish shown have dropped off considerably compared to years past.I know that the fishing pressure has increased but the DNR keeps telling us about their wonderful stocking program.Any thoughts? MoCarp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramr Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Just curious, how do you know the fishing pressure has increased? Any certain species of fish or just in general? What are you basing it on? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Old plug Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 If he's been fishing there 35yrs and says that the fishing has declined. I would tend to believe him. I know all the BS surrounding the catching of bass has done things to most lakes. Nowdays everyone wants to be a bass fisherman. I fish here on LOZ for large bass not keepers becaiuse that is my goal. I have caught only 2 at 5 better this year. In one two week period this summer I caught 16 bass between 18 and 21 inches fishing just 1-3 hra in the evening during the week days. I surely should have caught a couple in the period at 22" or better. 25 yrs ago I certainly would have. I believe a lot of bass or caught bounced around in live wells or handled improperly by to much showing them off and do not survive. I never keep any of these fish. I do not cotton to competitive fishing. I would not win anyway. I only average between 2 and 3.a evening and that is enough ro satisfy my 87 yearcold bones. MoCarp 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramr Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 I guess I was trying to get clarification on what species he thinks is declining. All species or just certain ones. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dan hufferd Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 This is a different kind of summer for sure. I don't have years of experience like you. The lake seem like it did about 5 yrs ago, with fish suspended everwhere. bassfisher 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Moflash Posted August 28, 2017 Author Members Share Posted August 28, 2017 3 hours ago, Kramr said: Just curious, how do you know the fishing pressure has increased? Any certain species of fish or just in general? What are you basing it on? Over the last 35 years of fishing Stockton Lake on a regular basis I have watched the boat traffic on the lake both fishing boats (more fisherman more pressure)and pleasure craft increase dramatically along with fishing tournaments. Fish in general of all species seem to have thinned out. Not just this time of year as I fish all year long. I'm just not seeing the numbers of fish that I am used to seeing on the sonar.I understand seasonal migration,temperature and cold fronts etc. I wonder when the last time they did a shock survey of the fish population? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramr Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 Not sure about shock survey but they do a trap net survey every year I think. https://fishing.mdc.mo.gov/reports/stockton-lake Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Root Admin Phil Lilley Posted August 28, 2017 Root Admin Share Posted August 28, 2017 Who is your MDC fisheries biologist? I bet he'd be helpful if you ask him. You also have to consider lake condition during spawning weeks, with each species. On Table Rock, I know population/year class vary depending on spawning conditions. It cycles from year to year. If fishing pressure is increasing, MDC needs to (or will do) a creel survey I'd think to find out if they need to adjust their management plan. That's what they do on other lakes. They're doing one on Taneycomo right now. bassfisher 1 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kramr Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 23 minutes ago, Phil Lilley said: Who is your MDC fisheries biologist? I bet he'd be helpful if you ask him. You also have to consider lake condition during spawning weeks, with each species. On Table Rock, I know population/year class vary depending on spawning conditions. It cycles from year to year. If fishing pressure is increasing, MDC needs to (or will do) a creel survey I'd think to find out if they need to adjust their management plan. That's what they do on other lakes. They're doing one on Taneycomo right now. Phil, how do you know who your MDC fisheries biologist is? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
lmt out Posted August 28, 2017 Share Posted August 28, 2017 I exclusively walleye fish for the last 6 years and this has been my second best year. Especially on keepers. The year be for last was my best and this year my keeper to short ratio has been my best by far. We very seldom keep more than a couple let alone a limit. I would say we have kept less that 20 to 25 keepers for the year. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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