Cedar Creek Lake No Wake Zones will happen

[Bonefish]

I have been talking to John Williams, District Resources for Southeastern Fishery District, this past week concerning placing "No Wake" zones in some of the tributaries on Cedar so people can fish without a lot of wave action. John said as soon as they get the buoys together and consult Law Enforcement, they will place the buoys. There will be free traveling from the Dam to the upper bridge so boaters can get to one end to the other as ususal. I think this is a major improvement for Cedar and everyone who fishes this lake. This change will make Cedar a safer and more enjoyable lake to fish. I think John deserves a big "THANKS" for action on this request. And, thanks to everyone who voiced their opinions here on Fishin.com because it made a difference as well.

[DJD]

Not really sure how this is a big help. The problem area is still wide open. I never observed a problem from the bridge up...has anyone else? It's great that they are looking into it but the no wake needs to be at the fist cove going up lake from the middle boat ramp. Am I wrong?

[mhall]

Not really sure how this is a big help. The problem area is still wide open. I never observed a problem from the bridge up...has anyone else? It's great that they are looking into it but the no wake needs to be at the fist cove going up lake from the middle boat ramp. Am I wrong?

Good job on your efforts and it's a real nice start, but Don has a good point. From right there past the little bay on the left it should be no wake the rest of the way in my opinion. I'll be so glad when the KDFW actually grows a set and makes a true trophy type fishing lake in this state.
I'm tired of tournaments running the department, but they continually bow down and do things in accordance to what tounament organizations want. I've been lobbying forever to get a slot put on the smallmouth in Cumberland. All the state bioligist with a brain know it would really help the lake for numbers and size and bring it up to Dale standards. But guess why they won't do it. Everytime it's talked about, 14 different tourney organizations gets their panties wound up tight in their rear and the Department buckles.

I'm sorry for hijacking your thread, you obvisously played a role in a good thing, well done on your part. Oh and by the way before you all jump on me about bashing tourney's I really wasn't doing that I was just stating an opinion about how private groups should not have as much influence on a Fish and Wildlfe department as it does.

[BanditMan]

So are you saying from the bridge up in the creek is going to be no wake? If so I'm confused on how this will help anything.

[Bonefish]

I am not sure at what point the buoy will be placed near the bridge. I am hoping that this is a start for better control of the lake and find out what is best for all concerned. I am just pleased that someone read our suggestions and concerns at this point. Hopefully, the State Biologists can take all of your suggestions and come up with the best plan possible. So, once again I will pass along any and all suggestions to John. Please email John at [email protected] with any suggestions you may have.

[Tim_T]

I'm tired of tournaments running the department, but they continually bow down and do things in accordance to what tounament organizations want. I've been lobbying forever to get a slot put on the smallmouth in Cumberland. All the state bioligist with a brain know it would really help the lake for numbers and size and bring it up to Dale standards. But guess why they won't do it. Everytime it's talked about, 14 different tourney organizations gets their panties wound up tight in their rear and the Department buckles.

Mark, the last time they raised the size limit for Smallies at Cumberland and Laurel, the biologists said it would have no effect, but yet it was done anyway because of the commisioner in that district. I was at the Commision meeting in Frankfort and there was no bowing down to the tourney guys, including Charlie Evans of FLW who spoke that day. They did this despite the fact that John Williams and the others said it would have zero effect. When it comes to smallies, Cumberland will never be Dale despite all of the restrictions, it seems to be that Dale has something that the others don't.

[mhall]

Mark, the last time they raised the size limit for Smallies at Cumberland and Laurel, the biologists said it would have no effect, but yet it was done anyway because of the commisioner in that district. I was at the Commision meeting in Frankfort and there was no bowing down to the tourney guys, including Charlie Evans of FLW who spoke that day. They did this despite the fact that John Williams and the others said it would have zero effect. When it comes to smallies, Cumberland will never be Dale despite all of the restrictions, it seems to be that Dale has something that the others don't.

Tim my brother we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Here are just a few reason's I'm certain it would help the fishery for smallmouth bass.
1. Take a huge amount of pressure off of the harvesting of legal 18 inch fish due to the 90 plus striper boats out 7 days a week. Every legal 18 inch fish that hits their boats meet a knife I've watched it for years. Look at the photo pages of the striper guides and see what you see hundred's of barely legal smallmouth meeting their maker. If the size limit goes up or there is a slot they have to tell their clients to release these fish. Couple that with the fact smallmouth are suckers for live bait.and well......you get the picture.
2. With more brood females able to reach a bigger size they will pass on premeire Genitics to the Gene pool. This is simple fish biology 101, anybody disputes that one knows nothing about fish. The more larger females the better the Genetics therefore a better fishery.
3. Last but certainly not least is what you said. THEY SAY it won't matter, tisk tisk. THEY SAID the exact same thing about Dale and that it wouldn't matter and it was a battel royal to get it done. In fact if it hadn't been for the TVA and the DNR in Tenn it would not have taken place. Did it work for Dale, ask anybody in the know about that lake and they will give you a big hell yes. All the guys that make their bread money off of that lake say it was the best thing that ever happened to the Holler's fishery. There is what Dale Hollow has on Cumberland and some grass for them to hide in, but that is the the only physical difference. KDFW was against the slot on Dale and weighd in saying it wouldn't make a big deal in the fishery but would piss alot of the fisherman off. Ask yourself this and anyone else that has fished that lake for years, Did the slot help Dale on Smallmouth and see what they say??

[Tim_T]

Tim my brother we will have to agree to disagree on this one. Here are just a few reason's I'm certain it would help the fishery for smallmouth bass.
1. Take a huge amount of pressure off of the harvesting of legal 18 inch fish due to the 90 plus striper boats out 7 days a week. Every legal 18 inch fish that hits their boats meet a knife I've watched it for years. Look at the photo pages of the striper guides and see what you see hundred's of barely legal smallmouth meeting their maker. If the size limit goes up or there is a slot they have to tell their clients to release these fish. Couple that with the fact smallmouth are suckers for live bait.and well......you get the picture.
2. With more brood females able to reach a bigger size they will pass on premeire Genitics to the Gene pool. This is simple fish biology 101, anybody disputes that one knows nothing about fish. The more larger females the better the Genetics therefore a better fishery.
3. Last but certainly not least is what you said. THEY SAY it won't matter, tisk tisk. THEY SAID the exact same thing about Dale and that it wouldn't matter and it was a battel royal to get it done. In fact if it hadn't been for the TVA and the DNR in Tenn it would not have taken place. Did it work for Dale, ask anybody in the know about that lake and they will give you a big hell yes. All the guys that make their bread money off of that lake say it was the best thing that ever happened to the Holler's fishery. There is what Dale Hollow has on Cumberland and some grass for them to hide in, but that is the the only physical difference. KDFW was against the slot on Dale and weighd in saying it wouldn't make a big deal in the fishery but would piss alot of the fisherman off. Ask yourself this and anyone else that has fished that lake for years, Did the slot help Dale on Smallmouth and see what they say??

Mark, of course the slot helped Dale, but that doesn't mean it would help Cumberland and Laurel, they are not Dale. There is a reason the world record smallmout and most of the largest smallies in the world have come from Dale. Just like there is a reason(s) that almost all of the 20 pound largemouth in history have come from California.

As for the guides clients bringing home smallmouth, would would keep the from doing it to a legal fish regardless. I think there maybe more reasons than some grass that makes Cumberland not like Dale.

Btw, keep disagreeing with me and I will not talk sports with you LOL!

[Fntsyfbgod]

I know John and talked to him alot hes a great guy. They go by what the most public feedback says alot. If that means spraying grass they do it if possible like on Chenoa. If it means keeping a 20in limit on Cedar they do. If tournament fisherman ruled there wouldnt be a 20in limit on Cedar Creek. I love tournaments but I would also like some lakes where tournaments werent allowed and fishing regulations were strict and fishing great. Especially smaller lakes. What drives tournaments are the small private owned business around the lakes. If you want to blame anyone blame them for having tournaments every morning/evening 3 nights a week ect.

[CTFSHWHISKER]

they had a segment on ky afield just about the size limits and reasons..it is also in one of the issues of the magazine...the limits are not imposed just because that's what someone wants..they take into account the spawn success,life of the fish and how they grow..to some extent bigger is better,but not always.and also not keeping any in the size limit set will change the population over time,cumberland is set the way it is for the best all around the lake will offer,much like green is with a 12" limit.all depend on how the fish growth rate is.wether it is liked or not the creels are set so that folks can catch some fish to eat,including bass,and keep a good number of fish in the lake for years to come..

[mhall]

Mark, of course the slot helped Dale, but that doesn't mean it would help Cumberland and Laurel, they are not Dale. There is a reason the world record smallmout and most of the largest smallies in the world have come from Dale. Just like there is a reason(s) that almost all of the 20 pound largemouth in history have come from California.

As for the guides clients bringing home smallmouth, would would keep the from doing it to a legal fish regardless. I think there maybe more reasons than some grass that makes Cumberland not like Dale.

Btw, keep disagreeing with me and I will not talk sports with you LOL!

We can't agree on everything Tim, people will think we are dating or something, LOL.

[mhall]

I know what they say guys I've kept up to. That doesn't mean I beleive all of it, that is a Government run entity fellas........Nuff Said, lol.