Tough Stockton fishing!

[MoCarp]

1 hour ago, olfishead said:

Guys, Don't forget the zillions of crappies caught over the last 6 months taken to the grease by the zillions of anglers on the lake. This is what I expected and predicted back in May. I know some folks don't  believe you can appreciably effect the population by harvest but after years of studying fish populations I can guarantee that once the crappie reach the 10 inch LL the densities drop off drastically due to fishing pressure. And we had PRESSURE this year like none other. Sure glad to hear about the sub-legals though, pray for a good year class this year. 

 

 

Pressure is what effects catch rates, even fish like bluegills, I’d like to see the walleye regs go back to 18” and bump crappie to 11 and 10 per day...to many people taking fish these days, perhaps drop spots to 12”? And no more than 2 small mouth....

[DADAKOTA]

Anyone catching much trolling at Stockton?

[Old dog 417]

1 hour ago, DADAKOTA said:

Anyone catching much trolling at Stockton?

My experience has been much like Oberst......except for the crawler mess! 

I've been long-lining 3 rods working both points and flats.

Whites, 12"-13" walleyes, with an occasional cat thrown in to slime up the carpet. Crappie have been few.

Flicker shad and Flicker minnows are both producing about equally. The Firetiger color may be in the lead for bites.

Been concentrating on 16'- 23' of water.... Marking fish but evidently my presentation is wrong. 

Spinners and slow death rigs have produced nearly the same with some bluegills mixed in.

Fishing mornings, sunrise to noonish...Big Sac arm. 

I'm taking a break this week and getting the duck boat and gear ready for upcoming season while hoping the effects

of those distant hurricanes will improve our fishing!  🙄

All I got,

OD 

  

 

   

[Smithvillesteve]

Interesting take MoCarp. And i respect it. I wouldnt mind taking the walleye back to 18 inches. However, when that was the case before they went to 15 inches there were few anglers catching 18 inchers to harvest. But i think the walleye took a hit this year. Not sure the crappie guys would like a 11 inch min length. 10 maybe as many lakes do. PLEASE practice catch and release with the smallmouths!! It takes several years for a smallmouth to reach 15 inches. In my opinion a lot of fish in Stockton see the fillet knife. I watched two good Ol boys at Mutton Creek Marina one day come in with a 5 gal bucket that had 6-7 nice 3 lb bass in it gasping for air before they met their doom. It was sad. BUT.. these guys were doing nothing illegal. Its a slippery slope. I do believe Stockton went to 12 inch length limit with the spots. Which I thought was good. These are just my opinions boys. Not trying to force them on anyone. 

[MoCarp]

People do know how to fish for walleyes better now, as far as crappie people bytched when the 10” limit was put on... as far as eating bass way more people put a knife to a nice bass than id like, look at the old glory days of the lakes,.... hard to get back to that kind of fishing with the pressure our waters get now, perhaps restricted areas of the lake? No smallies under 20” then only one? Bump the limit on spots to 8 

[DADAKOTA]

Thanks for the report.

[MrGiggles]

2 hours ago, MoCarp said:

People do know how to fish for walleyes better now, as far as crappie people bytched when the 10” limit was put on... as far as eating bass way more people put a knife to a nice bass than id like, look at the old glory days of the lakes,.... hard to get back to that kind of fishing with the pressure our waters get now, perhaps restricted areas of the lake? No smallies under 20” then only one? Bump the limit on spots to 8 

Are there really more anglers than there was 20-40 years ago? Makes me wonder what has changed, or if it's just rose-colored nostalgia glasses.

From what I've seen hunting and fishing (not outdoor activities as a whole) have trended downward. 

[olfishead]

15 minutes ago, MrGiggles said:

Are there really more anglers than there was 20-40 years ago? Makes me wonder what has changed, or if it's just rose-colored nostalgia glasses.

From what I've seen hunting and fishing (not outdoor activities as a whole) have trended downward. 

I live close to the lake, and believe me there was a lot more at Stockton lake all summer than there has ever been. It was like memorial day weekend every day. Most were fishing. I believe that with all of the tools that anglers have nowadays, they are generally more efficient at catching fish than 40 years ago. From the reports I got, every lake in the whole USA was extremely busy due to people wanting to get away from the social distancing pandemic. (Read the fishing report from Eleven Mile Marina in CO) It really emphasizes the importance of having outdoor opportunities for people to enjoy. And. MO is certainly blessed in that arena.

 

[MrGiggles]

59 minutes ago, olfishead said:

I live close to the lake, and believe me there was a lot more at Stockton lake all summer than there has ever been. It was like memorial day weekend every day. Most were fishing. I believe that with all of the tools that anglers have nowadays, they are generally more efficient at catching fish than 40 years ago. From the reports I got, every lake in the whole USA was extremely busy due to people wanting to get away from the social distancing pandemic. (Read the fishing report from Eleven Mile Marina in CO) It really emphasizes the importance of having outdoor opportunities for people to enjoy. And. MO is certainly blessed in that arena.

 

I'm not talking about the pandemic. I agree with you there.

I mean overall fishing participation trends. From what I have read license sales are down steadily despite population growth. Was Stockton ever a little honey hole that only the locals knew about?

[olfishead]

Will be interesting after the pandemic is over(hopefully), whether the increased fishing trend will continue. You're certainly right about hunting. The crowd at Stockton used to be mostly from the KC area at least in the 70's/80's. Then it began to shift to other places. Now seems like a lot is from Springfield which used to be a Table Rock town. The fishing the last few years at Stockton has certainly been good, probably due to a couple years of excellent management!!!🤣