Cedar Creek Lake Record Fish Established...

[JimDicken]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-03-06 AT 10:25PM (EST)[/font][p]OK, I know there is going to be an argument and guys ticked off so lets start out by saying .. this just started this past week .. and Fishin.com is doing this on its own.. Fish and Wildlife is not involved.
We are starting a LAKE Record program. I think it would be nice to know the largest fish of each species caught on a lake.
We are starting with Cedar Creek Lake. IF we can get this going without too much Discord, we may decide to do more lakes.
Right now we have one official Weigh In spot on the lake.
That is the Cedar Creek Outfitters which is currently using a Hand Held Digital Scale... The same one each time.
We will post pictures with the fish on the Bump Board for length and a picture with the weight as best as is possible. IF you have caught a larger fish from that lake I apologize.. but we will accept it only if you send in a picture with a signed statement from 2 witnesses... and the picture MUST be clear and visible. I will submit pictures to Fish and Wildlife for them to verify the species if they can. NO Verification.. no Record.
If you take the fish to Cedar Creek Outfitters Alive you can release it once weighed and photographed, this is to encourage catch and release of big fish.

NOW
The first fish submitted is a 5 pound 11 ounce Bass 21 and 1/4 inch long. The fish was caught by David Hendrickson. Pictures are on the way to Fishin.com and will be posted when I get them on the Cedar Creek Lake Fishing Report.

We will accept submissions for Smallmouth, Ky. Spotted Bass, Catfish (Channel Cats), Bluegill, Shellcracker and Crappie ONLY. NO HYBRIDS, NO STRIPERS.. only fish stocked in the lake.
We are making that restriction to help enforce the State Regulation on not moving fish and to prevent stocking of some lakes by JERKS who are messing with the balance set up by Fish and Wildlife to provide the best fishing.

NOW LET THE ARGUMENTS COMMENCE.. lets see if this will fly.
Jim Dicken

[know1]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-07-06 AT 09:04AM (EST)[/font][p]Smallmouth and spotted bass were stocked in Cedar Creek?

Cedar Creek Outfitters is almost a mile from the lake. I guess it's possible to do that and release it alive, but it's not ideal.

[thebassman30]

I agree with the previous comments with regard to promoting catch and release. It's not like there is a fiscal reward for being the record holder and this is an honorable forum.

Further, I see a need to protect the Integrity of the catch and promoting the lake's ability to hold quality fish.

My 2¢ Jim.
Thanks for all you do!
Mark

[mhall]

>I agree with the previous comments
>with regard to promoting catch
>and release. It's not like
>there is a fiscal reward
>for being the record holder
>and this is an honorable
>forum.
>
>Further, I see a need to
>protect the Integrity of the
>catch and promoting the lake's
>ability to hold quality fish.
>
>
>My 2¢ Jim.
>Thanks for all you do!
>Mark

My sentiments exactly, I totally agree with Mark and Crappiepappie on this one.

[smljaw]

I fully agree with the catch, measure, weigh, photograph and release. Keep a digital scale in the boat and report the weight on this board.

Support net fishermen and buy your fish at Kroger.

[JimDicken]

Guys the drive is about a mile. IF the fish is put in a cooler with plenty of water you can make the trip. IT would be much less stress than I see put on fish at weigh ins, where they are in bags of just enough water to hold them. Guys standing in line for 20 to 30 minutes at the weigh in.. you can be up to the tackle store and back in that time just about and the fish is in more water. Add in some of that magic stuff you guys put in your livewells and the fish may just be better off waiting in the cooler getting a good dose of oxygen to lower the lactic acid and antibiotics than if he was weighed and released in a tournament.
The first fish was released with out any problems.
Jim Dicken

[crappiepappy]

>[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-07-06
>AT 09:04*AM (EST)[/font]
>
>Smallmouth and spotted bass were stocked
>in Cedar Creek?
>
>Cedar Creek Outfitters is almost a
>mile from the lake. I
>guess it's possible to do
>that and release it alive,
>but it's not ideal.

No, "gurl" ..... Smallmouth & KY's weren't "stocked" in Cedar Creek -- but then, neither were Green Sunfish, Pumpkinseed, Gizzard Shad, or Warmouth ... yet, there they are. They all probably survived the "kill off", done by the KDFWR prior to the building & refill of the lake. Rumor has it, that some landowners in the upper reaches of the creeks, didn't want the waters poisoned, for fear of livestock/crop contamination ... or some such business. The surviving "unwanted" species seem to have migrated into the lake.
Nonetheless, I think JD is just trying to cover all the "possible" bases, on the Bass species that "could" be in Cedar Creek.
I agree that removing a "legal" fish, just for weight documentation of a (temporary) lake record, isn't the most ideal setup. Even a short trip to the top of the hill (at the bait store/RV camp/B&B) is going to require excessive handling (on top of livewell stress). And what about if someone catches a "lake record" ... but, launched at one of the "other" ramps ?? The road trip could still be a significant time/stress factor.

I guess, if one were intent on "keeping" the fish ... the point is mute. But, if returning the fish is the main intent, then we might want to wait until the Marina is built ... and have the weigh-in there. At least then it would only be a matter of a short boat ride, couple of seconds on the scales, quick picture, and back into the lake.

Just MHO on the matter ........... cp

[know1]

Crappiepappy,
Thanks for the history lesson. I fully understand that other fish reside in the lake. In fact, my father probably holds the lake bullhead record :)

But...the original post said there would be records for smallmouth and spotted bass and then followed that up with a comment about only records for stocked fish.

Hence, my confusion....

[JimDicken]

I mistyped I guess.. I should have said.. native fish and stocked fish of that creek. Apparently Smallies and Kentuckies were in the creek and have appeared in the lake. Other than those 2 species I do not plan on recognizing any other records.
The list of fish we will recognize is on the Report. Check that ..
Basically I was saying that we would not recognize fish stocked form outside the normal source.. IE Fish and Wildlife and the naturally occurring fish.
Fishin.com is attempting to establish a Lake Record System. IF this system is too cumbersome and there is too much argument I am not going to do it. To much hassle and I am not going to try to please EVERYONE. Fish and Wildlife is not really interested in keeping these records.. but I think it would be interesting, and informational.
Jim Dicken

[dcbasser]

As I said before, I think this a great idea and commend you for trying to get this established the only concern was for the fishs well being and to be released unharmed. And you are absolutley right, I have been to many weigh-ins where the fish have suffered far more harm waiting to be weighed in than they would the way you suggest and I,m sure most folks that use this board would agree. Just seems that everyone here are really aware of some of the "side affects", no harm of thinking of the fish first. Again great idea, and would love to see it come to other lakes like laurel and cumberland where I fish. Would be very interesting. Just try to keep Danny calmed down LOL.........Just hacking on ya.

[redneckshadrap]

[font size="1" color="#FF0000"]LAST EDITED ON Jul-08-06 AT 05:16PM (EST)[/font][p] Slippery slope ain't it..LOL!!!!
The KDFRW would probably like to monitor that Lake record stats. Don't they have to be the ones to certify such things.

Can Cedar Creeks conditions induce a smallmouth spawn and maintain a population????

THat would be awesome if it could.

Redneckshadrap
www.thecreekbank.com
[email protected]

[JimDicken]

For lake records no they dont since Fish and Wildlife does not recognize lake records. We are attempting to set this up outside of the Fish and Wildlife system hoping that in the future Fish and Wildlife will participate more. I will send pictures to them to ask for verification.. however right now the call is Fishin.com's, and the guys here on the board.
When I get the pictures from Cedar Creek Outfitters I will post them for a vote.. that is how I will do all of them for the time being.
Jim