If You Could Interject Any Species

[duckydoty]

I'm for the squid. Should help all the fish numbers by reducing the numbers of fishermen.

Some kind of apex predator that only eats herons would be another suggestion also

duckydoty

[Trav]

Never heard of a hybrid- bluegill. Wouldn't have a pic of it by chance?

I would agree that competition for scuds would be a serious factor, espescially if large amounts of threadfin enter the system.

So if you look at what Taneycomo can support without introducing a forage population, where healthy populations wouldn't take over as a dominant species and what would bring support of the local anglers, what would that be?

I think that adding some Channel Cats, boosting the current Smallmouth and Walleye populations, and using yellow perch as an intermediate forage option as well as for fry-pan game fishing opportunities would be the best scenario.

None of the four species would impact the staus quo. There is already a tiny population of smallies and walleye already. Channel Cats would thrive in Taneycomos deeper lower end and would help the walleye keep the yellow perch populations in check.

[crappiefisherman]

has anyone seen the bluegill in bransons bass pro store aquairium?IM for a bunch of those in taneycomo.

[JobyKSU]

I think that adding some Channel Cats, boosting the current Smallmouth and Walleye populations, and using yellow perch as an intermediate forage option as well as for fry-pan game fishing opportunities would be the best scenario.

In that case, how about some of the sterilized Saugeye? They seem to do pretty well in reservoirs, are a blast to catch, and tasty to boot. Throw on a bit of 'toothy critter' and the fly guys can chase them too.

[creek wader]

I prefer smallies and walleye. I like what Trav says here: .. boosting the current Smallmouth and Walleye populations, and using yellow perch as an intermediate forage option as well as for fry-pan game fishing opportunities would be the best scenario.

None of the four species would impact the staus quo. There is already a tiny population of smallies and walleye already. Channel Cats would thrive in Taneycomos deeper lower end and would help the walleye keep the yellow perch populations in check.

[Greg]

You are right I am primarily a trout fisherman. And proud of it! The # of trout fishing streams/lakes in MO is so limited at least compared to warm water species/opportunities that I think we should only very reluctantly take a chance at screwing up what we have.

Greg

[Danoinark]

The # of trout fishing streams/lakes in MO is so limited at least compared to warm water species/opportunities that I think we should only very reluctantly take a chance at screwing up what we have.

Greg

Well said. Dano

[Trav]

Ok, Try this hat on for size,...

How many fly fisherman actually fish below mile 4? or 3? or even 2?

Have any of you caught a White our Largemouth Bass above Cooper Creek? I bet if you had it was a very rare occasion. There is a very good explanation for that. Its not that there isnt very many in the lake, there are 10s of thousands.

There are many reasons why, competition, lack of cover from the current, less forage, but all the same. With that fact known, what makes ya think that the way the lake fishes would be changed at all if you consider the majority of Bass, Channel Cats, Walleye, especially yellow perch and Muskie would most likely refrain and settle in the lower 15 miles of the lake.

I think you under-estimate the agressiveness of trout. Most fish give them thier space. Especially Browns. I caught a 8.7 pound Brownie last winter that had the tail of what looked like a 14inch Bow sticking out of its throat. Couldnt even figure out why it would want my bait it was so full. To show a point, 20 years ago I used to catch bullheads off my dock as easily as you can catch bluegills. I havent seen one in over 7 years now. What has changed? HMMMM...Oh yeah, the Brown trout population has increased 400 percent since the late 70s-early 80s.

Dont forget that I am probably one the most prolific Trophy Brown Hunters on the lake. Im not knocking the fact Taneycomo is a premier trout lake. I see the ideas of what else it could be without tunnel vision.

Anyway, We are all talking hypothetical here. The State will never do anything for the fishing in Taneycomo unless it has to do with trout. Because that is the tourism money maker. But there are those dumbasses that transfer fish thinking they can stupidly have them. It happens.

Perfect example....Fifteen years ago I would have never caught a white bass here. How do you think they got in a waterway locked in by two Dams? Some moron put them in and here we are now adays chasing them down for sport. Have they hurt the legendary trout waters? Nope. Have they hurt anything? Nope.

Im just saying that if the hypothetical was to ever happen, Taneycomo could support many other species without changing how the top three miles of water fishes.

[taxidermist]

Stripers would grow huge but they eat a lot of trout in trout waters.

Pike and Muskies would also be bad for Tcomo, in Europe there are many waters where you can catch both but trout fishing does suffer somewhat.

Cutts can get along well with with the current fish in Tcomo.

Brookies might work but Brookies can be decimated by turbid water.

the F-1 hybird Bluegills are a cross with green eared sunfish and the bluegill. they are suppose to be 97% males. I have them in my large pond and am very dissapointed in the growth rate...

One fish that might work and its different in the turbid water it can handle is the Europeon Grayling, they can grow larger than the Grayling in the western hemisphere and I have seen creeks and river in Europe that were flooded with muddy water for weeks on end have great populations of grayling.

Best leave thing alone, its a tough thing to do when trying to develope and build a fishery.

Lake trout did very well in Bull Shoals for a while, but the commison stopped that as well as the striper stocking. Seems they also lowered the rainbows released in the lake too.

[zander]

I was secretly thinking of European grayling as well. Big browns would feed on them pretty heavily. Or why not European catfish? (see pic)(95% kidding)The last time I went home with my wife to see her family I wanted to go catch one of these. I asked at a sporting goods store what kind of bait to use. You'll never believe what they told me. They said catch a small bird or small chicken, burn the feathers off and fish with the body. How did someone figure out that method???? By the way, never caught one.