Potential striped bass die off - AGFC

[Quillback]

Striped Bass Die-Off Expected on Norfork Lake

Anglers on Norfork Lake may notice some Striped Bass floating on the surface in the coming weeks as Norfork Lake experiences another natural die-off event. During the summer months, Striped Bass seek refuge in deep water near the dam, where temperatures and oxygen levels are more tolerable.

However, in years with high water levels, such as this one, the oxygen in these deeper spots can quickly deplete. This happens because of high biological oxygen demand and water-level-related (hydrological) factors, which can ultimately lead to fish mortality. These events have been documented on Norfork Lake in 2002, 2004, 2011, 2015, 2017, 2019, and 2020, and the fishery has successfully rebounded each time.

Most affected fish are larger individuals over 20 inches, while smaller Striped Bass typically survive. This actually creates opportunity for younger fish to grow more quickly, often replacing the lost fish within a couple of years. Though witnessing a die-off isn't pleasant, historical data show these events rarely cause significant long-term impacts to the overall population.

There's also a silver lining to high water conditions. While they stress Striped Bass, high water years boost forage fish populations (shad) throughout the lake, creating abundant food supplies that ultimately benefit all sportfish, including bass, crappie, and walleye.

The Arkansas Game and Fish Commission will continue to monitor the situation closely.

[netboy]

I talked to a friend today that saw some dead stripers floating over there yesterday. Hope it's not too bad.

[fishinwrench]

Not too sure that I buy that.  

Stripers are more migratory than any other species in the lake, therefore if conditions aren't good they'll likely keep moving until they find a more suitable environment.  

They are a temperate species, which means the #1 priority to them is that temperature and oxygen are sufficient.   They aren't going to hang out anywhere (en mass) that those conditions aren't satisfactory.    

Those fish could easily fin up the NFOW to find a cooler oxygenated environment.

[snagged in outlet 3]

I saw a news clip that they collected over 70 already.  

[tjm]

4 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

Those fish could easily fin up the NFOW to find a cooler oxygenated environment.

But how would they know that? wouldn't thousands of years of ocean life set their programing  to head deep or deeper to find cool water?  

[fishinwrench]

8 hours ago, tjm said:

But how would they know that? wouldn't thousands of years of ocean life set their programing  to head deep or deeper to find cool water?  

They figured it out awhile back...... assuming that they've been in that lake for a year or more.   

"Thousands of years of programming" is what sends them up the tributaries every spring.  And every single time one of those tribs flood..... regardless of the season.  

The Stripers in Lanier don't succumb to a "die off" every summer.  I know that for a fact. 

[tjm]

2 hours ago, fishinwrench said:

They figured it out awhile back...

You must think the fish think like humans?  

[fishinwrench]

49 minutes ago, tjm said:

You must think the fish think like humans?  

You've never noticed fish learning anything, and retaining that information? 

Never owned an aquarium ? 

Never visited a carp dock, or catfish pond ? 

You don't think they return to the same areas, repeatedly, triggered by various things ?   

 

Oh c'mon now 😊 

 

 

 

 

Where's our local temperate bass expert Bill Butts ?   Surely he can weigh-in on this one 🤔

[snagged in outlet 3]

32 minutes ago, fishinwrench said:

You've never noticed fish learning anything, and retaining that information? 

Never owned an aquarium ? 

Never visited a carp dock, or catfish pond ? 

You don't think they return to the same areas, repeatedly, triggered by various things ?   

 

Oh c'mon now 😊 

 

 

 

 

Where's our local temperate bass expert Bill Butts ?   Surely he can weigh-in on this one 🤔

I don't care what anyone says.  I'm not spending another dime chasing those finicky fish....  But dang they are sure are fun when they are biting!

[fishinwrench]

44 minutes ago, snagged in outlet 3 said:

I don't care what anyone says.  I'm not spending another dime chasing those finicky fish....  But dang they are sure are fun when they are biting!

Yeah it's probably best if you just leave the temperate bass alone, and let the REAL MEN chase 'em. 😉 

Actually where I fish mostly, Stripers are a by-catch.   On this lake they mingle with the Whites, Hybrids, and Mutts, and they eat the same lures/flys. I'd be willing to bet that the ones on Norfork do likewise.   

On Lanier the bigger stripers love 10" rainbow trout, so the guys that seek the bigguns spend all of their time on the Chattahoochee arm.....where the trout are.