Waveland Lake

[RussellFish]

Hello everyone, just joined the forum today.

I know there was a post in August about a fish kill at Waveland Lake and was just wondering if anyone had any updates. I had a really good time there last May, catching 66 fish between 2 buddies and I over a 4 hour period. Hope to return this May for similar results and bigger fish. Thanks!

[Jamison559]

I was out there at the same time last year and it was nice catching so many fish. Every one we caught almos was about 12-13 inches so this year they should most all be keepers. We fished it throughout the summer and did notice some fish, but I really didn't notice a massive kill. Later in the summer we didn't have 50-60 fish days, but we still were able to get good bites. I think that it should still be good fishing out there and I am looking forward to the first of April when they open back up.

[small boat basser]

It will be a wait and see deal this year. They did have a pretty good size kill affecting mostly largemouth bass out there. Estimate was probably a minimum of about 1000 bass dead. Fishing for the most part stunk late in the year, but I do know of a decent trip or two before things closed so it may not be a total loss. They (DNR) did throw a few extra bass (stocked) into the lake late in the year, but we will really have to just wait and see what the early reports show, as even the DNR isn't sure what to expect at this point. I believe the lake opens in about 4 weeks, so it won't be too much longer before we know. I'm guessing it won't be quite as good as last year regardless.

[DSPCHAMY]

Everything I read last year after the kill was that it was isolated to one corner of the lake where the top vegetation choked off the bottom creating a lack of oxygen in that part of the lake. I had heard that it was closer to 100bass, but the down side to that was they were some larger fish. I think that with so much misinformation being spread the only was to tell is to see what happens in the pre spawn fishing. If reporting large fish kills keeps people off the water.... did you hear that 10,000 fish died at monroe last year!

[small boat basser]

Everything I read last year after the kill was that it was isolated to one corner of the lake where the top vegetation choked off the bottom creating a lack of oxygen in that part of the lake. I had heard that it was closer to 100bass, but the down side to that was they were some larger fish. I think that with so much misinformation being spread the only was to tell is to see what happens in the pre spawn fishing. If reporting large fish kills keeps people off the water.... did you hear that 10,000 fish died at monroe last year!

I like the thinking with keeping people off the lake. I know for a fact it worked wonders out at Flint 2 years ago when they "supposedly" had a large kill. Never seen so many clubs cancel tournies before...and the fishing was great that year.

That said, on the misinformation quote, everyone can believe what they want, but my info comes directly from talking with the district biologists involved with the lake. They did estimate at 1000 or so bass on the kill, based on numbers seen dead and taking into account the fact that they didn't get out there immediately to survey. The kill was also almost completely made up of bass and largely didn't affect other species as best they can tell. I can also add that I was there several times up to 4-5 weeks after the kill and still found dead bass in various areas of the lake. If dead bass were only seen in one area of the lake that is because the floaters drifted in there. Additionally, the bass we caught were very sickly looking and scraggly...very thin and undernourished.

They did originally confirm and suspect low oxygen due to a dieback in vegetation, but fish were sent to Purdue's path lab to analyze. They also tested for LMBV but results were inconclusive. So they can't say for certain what the actual cause was as of the last time I spoke with them. My own personal belief is LMBV triggered by the low oxygen, but that is only my opinion and as mentioned, unconfirmed in the path reports.

IDNR did stock additional bass late in the year into the lake due to the size of the fish kill. They believe in the long run it (the kill) might actually help with the growth of bass in the lake due to the incredible numbers that were in there, more room and food to go around for fewer bass. But, that will be a wait and see proposition.

I'm as anxious as everyone to get back out on the lake and see how things shape up. Unlike Flint, nobody has pulled tournies from the lake this year. In fact, looks like more this year than last if you can believe that. So post those reports when the lake finally opens up and I'll keep my fingers crossed.

-SBB

[DSPCHAMY]

SBB

I was not attacking your claims. My point was that there is no way to know how many fish died. Some float some sink wind blows here and there so who knows. Like I said the only way to know for sure is to get out there and fish it. I am the tourney director for my club and I know we are fishing there this year, but have enough time to punt if we need to.

thanks for the science, I always like to see when someone can substatuate a claim with some real backing.

Hopefully I will have atleast five legal ones jump on the line while I am there.

Thanks,
DSP

[RussellFish]

Thanks for the info guys. You are right about just getting out there and seeing what shakes out this spring. Can't wait!

Can't believe that about Monroe, 10,000 fish! I'll be sure to pass it on!

Russellfish

[small boat basser]

SBB

I was not attacking your claims. My point was that there is no way to know how many fish died. Some float some sink wind blows here and there so who knows. Like I said the only way to know for sure is to get out there and fish it. I am the tourney director for my club and I know we are fishing there this year, but have enough time to punt if we need to.

thanks for the science, I always like to see when someone can substatuate a claim with some real backing.

Hopefully I will have atleast five legal ones jump on the line while I am there.

Thanks,
DSP

My apologies DSPCHAMY, Just reread my last response and it does come across wrong . I know what you mean about all the different stories that get started when stuff like this occurs, and I merely wanted to make the point that what I posted came from what I would consider the most reliable source on the matter. Like we've said, wait and see. If you end up holding your tourney there I hope you do better than my last trip there in Sep. I couldn't figure it out.

-SBB

[DSPCHAMY]

My comment on the above post was a attempt at humor at no time were bass injured or killed during this or any previous posts.

thank you