Shad Post....

[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

[hardestyeric]

There are plenty of good fish in Monroe and Patoka. You just have to know how to catch them. Why does everyone always blame the DNR when you go to a big lake and not catch fish? They aren't farm ponds. Everybody complains when the DNR raises fee's but they expect the DNR to magically have money to stock every species known to man and make sure they are easy to catch.
Eric H.

[raporter]

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

Either that or babysit every post. Shame we can't have a civil conversation about this.

[TR21Bassin]

Patoka is a decent bass fisher at best. You made reference to Aaron Marten's show. A friend of mine talked to these guys each day while they were filming and their review was not good. It took them 3 days to get enough footage for a 30 min show.

As far as the shad issue. You don't see near as many shad in Patoka, Boggs and other lakes up here as you do in more southern impoundments so I really don't think the shad are that big of issue. Also, everyone assumes that someone released the fish there. I know several small lakes/ponds in KY that have never had any shad put in them yet they are there. As mentioned before it you have a crane or any other water bird land in a shad bearing lake and they step into a shad next full of eggs then fly to another body of water these eggs are moved via their feet and legs not to mention what they eat. I've talked to several biologist outside of Indiana (no faith in INDNR)and they all say that this is possible and highly feasible.

For the comments about the griping of DNR and what they do and don't do and the increase of fees. I am one of the people that have not purchased a DNR boat sticker in over 3 years because I refuse to give them another dime and see nothing in return. Unfortunately it looks like I'm going to have to buy one for this year so I can run my boat and figure out what is wrong with the motor and to fish the USA Bassin Regional at Patoka. If I could see anything the DNR has done to improve fisheries or anything it would be as big of a deal. But since I pay local taxes, state taxes, boat and vehicle registration along with fishing/hunting license I find it rediculous to spend $20 more just to launch my boat on a state owned lake.

Charlie

[lroberts]

TR21....just wondering what circuit of USABASSIN you fish. I fished the Monroe circuit, and will be fishing the Patoka Regional also. Interesting about the Bass Edge show...they sure do a good job of disguising the multiple day deal. It was done during the flood....if thats like Monroe last year it seemed to be feast or famine. We either really found and caught them or just made A LOT of casts!!!!

[TR21Bassin]

We didn't fish one particular division. We fished a couple at Beshears in KY and we've fished 2 in the KY Lake Division. Only fished the ones we wanted and fit in our schedules well. Win some money and qualify for the regional so we can qualify for the Nationals.

I know several guys in the filming industry and you'd be surprised how many show shoot for multiple days just to get 30 min worth of footage.

Charlie