Shad Post....

[HOGMONSTER]

Forgive me for not understanding, but who is the person, that you guys have proof of, that dumped shad into a lake via a minnow bucket that they had seined up from another lake? When did you guys see it happen? Which lake was it? And did you guys turn the person in?

Seems like it is ok to point fingers at everyone except a few bass fishermen. I know for a fact that there is proof that a bass club put shad into a large Indiana reservoir. However, as you know, proof and enough proof to prosecute are two different things.

FishNnut,
Why don't you name names or at least the club. Eyewitness testimony will suffice to prosecute.

Why don't you go sit on a bench next to a group of people fishing with minnows and see what they do with them when they are done. Not everyone buys them from a bait shop and I have personally got other minnows that were mixed in with the chubs like shinners and shad at a bait shop even though most do a good job at separating them anymore, that didn't used to be the case.
My dad used to have a minnow trap and a seine that he would use to get minnows out of a creek that connected to the white river. Mostly we would have chub minnows, but we would have other minnows as well and I am sure even some shad on occassion. Now I was only 5 or 6 years old, but I know for a fact that when we were done fishing he would dump our minnow bucket back into whatever pond or lake we were fishing. It was not done maliciosly, but it was done because that is what EVERYONE did at the time. Now think of all the people who fish with minnows and think about what happens when they are done fishing. Most people, even today, dump their buckets back into the lake. Very few actually put them in the trash. Now lets think about the fact that just a few gizzard shad can become millions in just a few years. What are the odds.... I would say pretty good.

Now I will also say that someone can decide they are going to play lake manager for the day and ILLEGALLY transport shad or other fish to a lake. I am sure it has happened, but I will not single out a hugely diverse group and blame them as a whole for the actions of a few who may or may not be part of that group to begin with. It is as irrelvent as that person being a black, white, or purple person... I mean, would you say those white people put shad in the lake, or those black people did???.... It is irrelevent.

Have a great day!

[TR21Bassin]

Usually I don't get in on these posts but I don't see how the shad are ruining any fisheries. A lot of people use West Boggs, but do you think that they would really have the Bass population they have without the shad. Also, I've been fishing that lake for 5-6 years and it appears the shad population has declined so I don't see the argument. Some say it has hurt the crappie and bluegill, also don't see it. A friend of mine went up there multiple times this spring and had no problems catching limits of big crappie. Not trying to arue but just don't see it. What I think has hurt this lake more than anything is the killing of the shoreline grass. By removing this structure/cover the fry from spawns have no where to hide to seek protection.

If shad are so bad how come KY/Barkley don't see the issue, how about Patoka? Also, they Bass fishing did go down there for several years but now is coming back in leaps because the grass is coming back.

Sure some IDNR biologists have said "Someone has put the shad in these lakes". From what I've seen in Indiana the 10 years I've lived here is Indiana doesn't give a crap about their fisheries or outdoor opportunities. Prime example the amount of land waiting to be sold to the Patoka Wildlife Refuge System yet Indiana's politicians won't get the money. Many states monitor, and actually do things to improve the outdoor activities, and promote their outdoors which then the whole state reaps the benefits from people coming into the area and spending money.

Charlie

[lroberts]

TR21Bassin......shad hurt and somewhat help a small lake like Boggs. In the short-term some of the already larger bass can gorge on the big shad....and get BIGGER themselves....like we are seeing now. However, shad present another link in the food web.....therefore you have more competition and less food for some fish and in general fewer game species. As the BIG bass die off or are caught you are left with a stunted group of smaller bass who didn't have enough food to eat, or could not feed on the larger shad. KY Lake is not a good comparison for Boggs because of the sheer size difference...not to mention it is part of a major river system. You're right about the grass though. Monroe is really struggling also without the presence of grass. Ky Lake is also coming back because the grass is. Where do you mainly fish????

[TR21Bassin]

lroberts,

If your asking what state then its KY. As far as KY/Barkley, it just depends on the time of year. Typically I spend most of my time between KY Dam and 68/80 bridge.

I know the shad compete with smaller fish for food but there are still several small bass in Boggs along with crappie and bluegill. As stated before, I think the biggest issue there is the grass kill. The decrease in bluegill and crappie for some I think is the amount of fish thats hauled away from it.

Charlie

[GeoFisher]

If shad are so bad how come KY/Barkley don't see the issue, how about Patoka? Also, they Bass fishing did go down there for several years but now is coming back in leaps because the grass is coming back.

Charlie

Well.......West Boggs is about the size of Smith Bay.....that is WHY......AND don't KID yourself about Patoka.....the IDNR stocked STRIPERS there to help with the SHAD issue....and they are now starting to stock Walleye there also.

Patoka has not produced and will NEVER produce the quality bluegill and crappie that it did 10-15 years ago.....NOT as long as the shad are there. And I think the bass fishing, while you can catch some bigger fish, you don't catch NEARLY the numbers......

I don't have the answer to this, but I do know from fishing patoka for YEARS, that it has gone downhill.

Later...

Geo

[SteveM4A1]

FishNnut,
My dad used to have a minnow trap and a seine that he would use to get minnows out of a creek that connected to the white river. Mostly we would have chub minnows, but we would have other minnows as well and I am sure even some shad on occassion. Now I was only 5 or 6 years old, but I know for a fact that when we were done fishing he would dump our minnow bucket back into whatever pond or lake we were fishing. It was not done maliciosly, but it was done because that is what EVERYONE did at the time. Now think of all the people who fish with minnows and think about what happens when they are done fishing. Most people, even today, dump their buckets back into the lake. Very few actually put them in the trash. Now lets think about the fact that just a few gizzard shad can become millions in just a few years. What are the odds.... I would say pretty good.


Have a great day!

Did we not all grow up like this? I did not know the consequences until about 6 years ago. I can't think of one person in my life (all avid fishermen) that did not used to dump their minnow buckets back into the water to give the fish extra food.

[fishNnut]

Geo, the walleye stocking at Patoka is a result of the striper die off two years ago there. The guides found out that the big dead stripers were not bringing in any clients and lobbied the DNR to put the walleye in to replace them.

The walleye did grow +/- 8" the first year they were there. Can't wait to see the number of professional walleye guides that show up in about 3 or 4 years.

Now if the DRN would just put some musky in there, we could have a real fishery.

[fishassasin]

i think the decline in fish on this areas is because of people ... people affect every aspect of a lake to produce... too many people in big boats, over fishing the lake, taking too many fish out of the lake, and polution(which kills the grass). i say limit the lake to 25 hp or less make a slot limit on the bass. its not the shad.

[fishNnut]

i think the decline in fish on this areas is because of people ... people affect every aspect of a lake to produce... too many people in big boats, over fishing the lake, taking too many fish out of the lake, and polution(which kills the grass). i say limit the lake to 25 hp or less make a slot limit on the bass. its not the shad.

What lake are you talking about??

[redearhoosier]

Patoka has so much potential but unfortunately, it doesn't seem to be high on the priority list of the DNR. I guess as long as the bassfisherman are happy, everythings hunky dory. I think it's a fraction of what it could be, it's certainly not a balanced fishery. Balanced fisheries should be the ultimate goal on any lake.

[Leadf00tjr]

Well maybe they'll drain Patoka, Indian,Tipsaw, and Celina like they did Starve Hollow and some of the other good bass lakes to make you pan fishermen happy.

[Legato]

delete this thread. And ban if they remake it for a 3rd time