Ky Lake, Barkley, too much pressure?

We all see the activity on the two lakes every year, the hottest game being bass and crappie, then maybe sauger, shell cracker, and cats. Many fishermen say the lake is receiving too much pressure and is over-fished, I believe differently that the lakes are under-fished.
I believe the lake is over-fished in the incorrect manner, and under-fished in the correct manner. What do you believe, and what is your assumptions as to what the two lakes are capable of?

I read a report of how many pounds of fish per acre Barkley produces and it was just unbelievable. It was several years ago so I can't quote the exact pounds of different species but the only other lake around that produced more lbs of fish per acre was Reelfoot. This was some sort of survey by the state or goverment I think. Best I remember I read it at the state park on some brochure. It is more fertile than Kentucky Lake and is about the most fertile lake in the state so it would be hard to overfish it I would think. Barren was also listed as very fertile.

BassBest,


You've peaked my curiousity. What do you consider the proper fishing techniques that are being under fished?

Me personally, I think that the two lakes are so big, the hardest thing for anglers to do is explore new water, and to get away from where they have "always" caught fish. I know I fall into that trap often.

Looking forward to you answer.

Danny

Basically, the correct technique involves solid concentration, knowing what you did-why you did it-and what happened along the way. The improper technique is going out and doing a half-but job not caring. I learned that letting concentration slip even a little can give you a small bag of bass, versus a limit. So I state that the lakes are underfished with the proper techniques because I see many people losing the edge-sometimes easy to do. Sorry I do not have any secrets of proper techniques to use, there really isn't all that many anyway. A big reason pros are so consistent is heavily depended upon total concentration for 9 hours a day, not 5 or 6.
Take Care

am i wrong?

AS SOMEONE WHO HAS FISHED BOTH LAKES FOR OVER 25 YRS....THE ONE THING I HAVE TO AGREE ON IS CONCENTRATION. ALSO I BELIEVE THAT ANGLERS NEED TO GET AWAY FROM DOING THE SAME OLE ROUTINE EVERYTIME THEY GO OUT. EXPLORE YOUR WATERS AND SEEK OUT NEW FISHING HOLES, TRY NEW STYLES OF ANGLING. NEVER GET LOCKED INTO THE SAME-O-SAME-O THING, IT NEVER GETS YA ANYWHERE IN THE END. JUST KEY ON YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE OF THE LAKE, ALONG WITH CONCENTRATION AND YOU'LL SEE YOUR CREEL GO UP IN LBS. GOOD LUCK AND BE SAFE..........SNIPER GONE

Get those 4" worms out and splishot your way to sucsess this summer:)

KY Lake and Barkley Lake are both huge waters. I read with surprise a few years back that the KY DNR has put a 10" size limit on the Crappie. Now Crappie lay tens of thousands of eggs each spawn and I would think that there would be no need for a crappie size limit but I was wrong.

I last fished KY lake for Crappie back in 2004 April and it was on a weekday. I saw lots of boats out on the Big Sandy Area of KY lake. Most boats were fishing the drops along the old River Channel. I was told that on a weekend the number of boats would be much greater.

Since fish tend to concentrate in certain areas it's quite possible to put a dent in the big crappie population.

You take some guides that fish everyday on KY lake and haul a limit out of the lake for one or two clients including themselves and you can see how the lake can be fished down.

One guide taking a limit for himself and two clients would add up quickly.

Most crappie fishermen are not going to take a limit home with them on every trip. Some will and some won't.

I guess the bottom line is that the KY and TN DNR guys think that a 10" size limit for crappie is necessary to protect the fishery. I would say that they know more about the fish populations that most people.

Regards,

Moose1am

DANG IT!!!!

I was hoping you were going to share that secret technique... LMAO


I agree wholeheartedly with your assessment. You have to fish ever single cast as if you are going to get bit by the biggest fish of your lifetime. Very hard to do. Very hard.

I'm not sure calling that underfished is the best terminology though. But now we are talking semantics...LOL

Thanks though, I think this raises a great conversation.

Danny