Cedar Creek Drawdown

[know1]

Looks like the KDFWR is going to draw down Cedar Creek to improve bass fishing and reduce the stunted bluegill population. How did it come to this so quickly? That lake is only about 5 years old or maybe less.

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=34971&format=html

[rustedhook]

Looks like the KDFWR is going to draw down Cedar Creek to improve bass fishing and reduce the stunted bluegill population. How did it come to this so quickly? That lake is only about 5 years old or maybe less.

http://www.amnews.com/public_html/?module=displaystory&story_id=34971&format=html

I don't know what this will do the places I caught fish last winter but the last time they drew down the the lake it really concentrated the fish in certain areas. I just hope they use those spots again.

rustedhook

[DJD]

I read the article and understand that the fishing is not as easy as it was when the lake was just opened but is it really necessary to draw the lake down? What's the goal? A keeper bass on every trip? Huge bluegill and crappie for every angler? Does that type of lake exist?
This lake is definatly an experiment because changes and information on this lake seem to be reactions as opposed to planning. Other states have also created trophy lakes and i wonder if they had the same problems? JMO

[mhall]

I read the article and understand that the fishing is not as easy as it was when the lake was just opened but is it really necessary to draw the lake down? What's the goal? A keeper bass on every trip? Huge bluegill and crappie for every angler? Does that type of lake exist?
This lake is definatly an experiment because changes and information on this lake seem to be reactions as opposed to planning. Other states have also created trophy lakes and i wonder if they had the same problems? JMO

Excellent comments I couldn't have said it better if I got paid to do it. KDFWR knows about as much on how to make a trophy bass lake as I do becoming a French pastry chef. Remember Taylorsville was going to be our Lake Fork, ha ha my gosh what a joke. The one keeper a day thing and over 21 inch is great but ONLY IF YOU ENFORCE IT. There are hundreds yes hundreds of small bass hitting hot grease out of that lake.

[Todd2]

There are hundreds yes hundreds of small bass hitting hot grease out of that lake.

I hear alot about this at this lake, people keeping short fish. Has the patrol of this lake picked up any?

[DJD]

I have been there over 20 times and have never been checked. I did see them once at the ramp but i think they were checking boats as they trailered their boats to leave.
I welcome the law enforcement guys and i'm there to call on them for any violations i see. I am up to my ears with anglers (shore fisherman as well) who feel they are above the laws that most anglers including myself abide by.

[biggw]

Well i have been checked two time--in about 5000 trips lol

[know1]

I haven't been out there much, but 2 years ago I was checked almost everytime I was there. Last year I was checked 1 out of about 10 times. This year I've been checked 1 out of 3.

[bassmaster]

is about how many people have seen all these fish being taken out of Cedar Creek. I'm not saying that they aren't being taken out but WHY DON'T YOU GUYS THAT SEE ALL THIS CALL 1-800-52-ALERT FOR POACHERS. I just can't believe that this many people are witnessing the fish being taken out and no one is calling the game warden WHILE YOU ARE WATCHING THEM DO IT. I'm sure that most of carry cellphones.....so PLEASE just try and call them and I'm sure that they would send the Lincoln County game warden out since he just lives up the road. You can bet if I witness it I'll be calling them immediately, at least I'll feel like I tried.
See ya'll on the water,
bassmaster

[know1]

is about how many people have seen all these fish being taken out of Cedar Creek. I'm not saying that they aren't being taken out but WHY DON'T YOU GUYS THAT SEE ALL THIS CALL 1-800-52-ALERT FOR POACHERS. I just can't believe that this many people are witnessing the fish being taken out and no one is calling the game warden WHILE YOU ARE WATCHING THEM DO IT. I'm sure that most of carry cellphones.....so PLEASE just try and call them and I'm sure that they would send the Lincoln County game warden out since he just lives up the road. You can bet if I witness it I'll be calling them immediately, at least I'll feel like I tried.
See ya'll on the water,
bassmaster

I agree. There may be short fish taken out of there, but these people saying there are hundreds being taken home to eat are either just guessing or they are doing everyone a disservice by not reporting it.

What bothers me is that by doing a drawdown so soon, they are basically admitting that they screwed up to begin with.

Also, I don't think the issue is as much the bass but the fact that the bluegill are much smaller than they were 3 years ago and the crappie have never gotten above 7 inches.

[mhall]

I agree. There may be short fish taken out of there, but these people saying there are hundreds being taken home to eat are either just guessing or they are doing everyone a disservice by not reporting it.

What bothers me is that by doing a drawdown so soon, they are basically admitting that they screwed up to begin with.

Also, I don't think the issue is as much the bass but the fact that the bluegill are much smaller than they were 3 years ago and the crappie have never gotten above 7 inches.

Didn't mean to start something here. I've only fished the lake one time ever with a nice guy from this site. I am only going by what I have heard from alot of fish talk. You know baitshop talk, but after you hear it from enough diffrent people you kinda start believing it. Personally I just think the lake went through it's honeymoon period and now that's over. You know when a lake is first impounded how you can have that first couple to few years where it's just on fire. Well at some point that stops and things hit normal for most places. I also think pressure is playing a role, that lake is fairly small and it gets fished by a ton of people and that one ain't up for debate. I don't like the over 21 inch rule unless you strickly enforce it and then it has holes. Slot limits are better because you give the meathogs something to take home. Sorry for getting something going, I have a knack for that it seems. lol.

[MsgMills]

You ain't starting anything Mhall, heck Patoka was the same way when it was first impounded and you could go over there and catch 100 or more fish in an 8 hour tournament or more. Then they put in the slot limit and every meat hunter there was went fishing there. Now the size limit is 15" and over and it's really hard as heck to catch fish on a regular basis. But if you know the lake and where to go, it's not a problem, just like CC is for most of the regulars. They know where to go and how to catch those lunkers they so often talk about. I have never fished the lake, but if and when I ever do, the first couple of times I go I might not do to well, until I go quite a few times and learn the layout of the lake and where to fish for the bass.