Cumberland River Shock results are SAD !!!

[Rock_Fish]

Below is an Email that I received from the State research Biologist in charge of the River shock results that they do every year on The Mighty Cumberland. I met one of his field Biologist's at the Dam when they were getting ready to put in their shock Boat. And ask him if the results would be public Info, And how could I get a copy. And he gave me his Email, Then forwarded the one I sent him to his Boss. This is his Bosses reply!

I have all the Excel spread sheets, Etc. If one of the moderators would be kind enough to attach them to this post. I would be happy to send them all the info. It is quite extensive!




Rocky,

I appreciate your patience. I have been working on the Cumberland tailwater trout analysis last week and today and am now far enough along that I have results to share. I prepare an annual report each year on my research projects and the attached Excel spreadsheets have graphs that depict long term trends (1995-2009) for brown trout (BRT) and rainbow trout (RBT) in the Cumberland tailwater. CPUE stands for catch per unit of effort, which is simply a catch rate, in this case number of fish per hour of electrofishing, that we can use to index fish populations from year to year. Unfortunately what you will see in these graphs is that both brown and rainbow trout populations were way down this year and bigger fish greater than 15 inches were down for the second year in a row. We believe these declines are entirely due to the stress that poor water quality conditions over the last 3 years caused by the Lake Cumberland drawdown have put on the trout populations in the Cumberland tailwater. Our hope is that the dam repairs can be completed as soon as possible so that the level of Lake Cumberland can be raised back to a more normal level. Until that time when water quality improves the trout populations will likely continue to suffer.

Please call me if you need further explanation of this data. Thanks!

[FlyLie]

Rocky, thanks for sharing. Sorry to say, the results were not unexpected and I look forward to completion of repairs to the dam and restablishment of normal water conditions in the river.

I would be interested in getting a copy of the excell spreadsheets if you don't mind sending a copy to me at [email protected].

Thanks

[Rock_Fish]

Rocky, thanks for sharing. Sorry to say, the results were not unexpected and I look forward to completion of repairs to the dam and restablishment of normal water conditions in the river.

I would be interested in getting a copy of the excell spreadsheets if you don't mind sending a copy to me at [email protected].

Thanks

Hey Boone,
Sent them your way. Let me know if you can view them.

Cya,
Rocky

[Jbyrd]

Below is an Email that I received from the State research Biologist in charge of the River shock results that they do every year on The Mighty Cumberland. I met one of his field Biologist's at the Dam when they were getting ready to put in their shock Boat. And ask him if the results would be public Info, And how could I get a copy. And he gave me his Email, Then forwarded the one I sent him to his Boss. This is his Bosses reply!

I have all the Excel spread sheets, Etc. If one of the moderators would be kind enough to attach them to this post. I would be happy to send them all the info. It is quite extensive!




Rocky,

I appreciate your patience. I have been working on the Cumberland tailwater trout analysis last week and today and am now far enough along that I have results to share. I prepare an annual report each year on my research projects and the attached Excel spreadsheets have graphs that depict long term trends (1995-2009) for brown trout (BRT) and rainbow trout (RBT) in the Cumberland tailwater. CPUE stands for catch per unit of effort, which is simply a catch rate, in this case number of fish per hour of electrofishing, that we can use to index fish populations from year to year. Unfortunately what you will see in these graphs is that both brown and rainbow trout populations were way down this year and bigger fish greater than 15 inches were down for the second year in a row. We believe these declines are entirely due to the stress that poor water quality conditions over the last 3 years caused by the Lake Cumberland drawdown have put on the trout populations in the Cumberland tailwater. Our hope is that the dam repairs can be completed as soon as possible so that the level of Lake Cumberland can be raised back to a more normal level. Until that time when water quality improves the trout populations will likely continue to suffer.

Please call me if you need further explanation of this data. Thanks!

Ok don't claim to be a fish biologist but sounds like the trout are suffering the same fate as our deer herd . IF YOU RELAX THE CREEL LIMITS of course the populations will be down. More fish taken out of a put and take eco system and DUH !!!!!!!!

[Rock_Fish]

Ok don't claim to be a fish biologist but sounds like the trout are suffering the same fate as our deer herd . IF YOU RELAX THE CREEL LIMITS of course the populations will be down. More fish taken out of a put and take eco system and DUH !!!!!!!!

The numbers of big fish (Over 15") Are way way down. People have not been catching that many big fish this year either. They are just not there this fall like they have always been. And I was told the reason that they raised the creel limit is that they figured they were going to die anyway. Due to the water Temp / Quality. They released fish unscheduled from the Hatchery a couple of times. Rather than see them die in the raceways.

And some old timers say the Deer population is suffering from the increased Coyote population. Not the Bag limit. Cause there has not been that many checked in. One old timer also pointed out. " How many fawns do you see lately?" Not very many! Anybody that likes to Deer hunt, Needs to Coyote hunt every chance they can! JMHO

[sglass]

I agree that the coyote population is on the rise but I strongly believe that the deer heard is down because only 3/4 of hunters call deer in. I wish that KY would put more officers in the field during hunting season and on the roadways to ensure that the laws are being followed. This goes for fishing as well. This year I had the chance to shoot a doe but passed. The only buck I seen was a 4 pt. I did see several fawns but I hunt in Eastern KY where the Coyote population is lower than Central or Western Ky. My brother and I seen many does that had twin fawned this year but no bucks.

Shawn

[coombro]

I for one feel the slot fish were even more numerous on my fishing trips this year. The twenty + were a little less cooperitive than years past think we might have landed 4 or 5 all year. The fall water temps and stained water took a toll for sure, but we landed nice fish all year. Since dam repair began I've adjusted my stratagy and honestly beleve this my best year since repair work started. I really miss the daily rise of the river,but I've adapted and have had a great year. Just have to work harder and cover more river 15 to 20 milles is average trip in my boat. And finding the swift water is key.

[fisherman0625]

I agree that the coyote population is on the rise but I strongly believe that the deer heard is down because only 3/4 of hunters call deer in. I wish that KY would put more officers in the field during hunting season and on the roadways to ensure that the laws are being followed. This goes for fishing as well. This year I had the chance to shoot a doe but passed. The only buck I seen was a 4 pt. I did see several fawns but I hunt in Eastern KY where the Coyote population is lower than Central or Western Ky. My brother and I seen many does that had twin fawned this year but no bucks.

Shawn

I live in eastern ky and i can HONESTLY say that we are VASTLY OVERPOPULATED with coyotes . They are killing beagles while people are rabbit hunting. Thats very sad. Hasnt happened to me yet, im a rabbit hunter and deer and turkey, but im going to start coyote hunting after rabbit season. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. IM THINKING ABOUT maybe A NWCF lol National Wild Coyote Federtation!

[sglass]

I live in eastern ky and i can HONESTLY say that we are VASTLY OVERPOPULATED with coyotes . They are killing beagles while people are rabbit hunting. Thats very sad. Hasnt happened to me yet, im a rabbit hunter and deer and turkey, but im going to start coyote hunting after rabbit season. SOMETHING HAS TO BE DONE. IM THINKING ABOUT maybe A NWCF lol National Wild Coyote Federtation!

NWCF would be great. This year we seen our first coyote in the woods in Morgan County and this guy was on a ridge top where it is hard going so he was def on the hunt. While fishing during the summer at night you would not believe the coyotes I hear around Wilgreen and Stoner creek. I get nervous walking to get the truck at night when I am by myself. I have seen some monsters deer hunting in Sadieville.

[RICHYD4U]

Rocky-
Thanks for the report brother. Sad to say that I was not surprised by any means. I could tell it was happening over the past three years by the numbers of spawners I caught each winter. It has dwindled from fifty a day three years ago (in slot, some over)....to three this last trip. Really sad. The CR used to be amazing during the spawn on the fly rod! Miss those days!

-Rich

[troutcrazy]

I for one feel the slot fish were even more numerous on my fishing trips this year. The twenty + were a little less cooperitive than years past think we might have landed 4 or 5 all year. The fall water temps and stained water took a toll for sure, but we landed nice fish all year. Since dam repair began I've adjusted my stratagy and honestly beleve this my best year since repair work started. I really miss the daily rise of the river,but I've adapted and have had a great year. Just have to work harder and cover more river 15 to 20 milles is average trip in my boat. And finding the swift water is key.

15 to 20 miles is the key, and that's not floating down and motoring up...that's using 20 miles of river which rolls into motoring for 40 miles. The more river you fish the more opportunity you have to find fish. I know that's an obvious statement, but in the past I didn't have to use 15 or 20 miles to find quality fish and numerous fish. That's simply not the case. I used to have a fishing pattern for time of day, rate of flow and so on, but like you I have had to adjust my fishing pattern and habits. While this is difficult on one hand it's going to be very useful in years to come. I have learned more of the river...I know where a gravel bar slopes, where there are natural channels, where there is underwater structure. We may have to pay for poor fishing in the short term, but in later years these unusual problems will provide new prime fishing spots.

[etcfishin]

The results are not surprising to me either. I'd received some reports from a few sources that there was a fish kill earlier this year. I don't think a lot of people believed me, but this evidence supports that. I don't believe that the decreased regs have caused a decrease in the population. There's been fairly high water most of the fall which usually makes the fishing a little more difficult.

A couple comments for what it's worth on the deer population. I haven't seen the decrease in deer populations in Central KY. I've seen more deer this year than ever including 4 on my way home tonight. I do believe that we could see impacts of coyote predation in the future. There have also been reports of fewer deer where that disease hit last year during the drought.

With the economy down this year and people losing their jobs, I'm not surprised there's fewer deer taken. First you have your license and tags, then you have to buy ammo at jacked up prices due to the shortage. Finally you have to pay near $100.00 to get the meat processed if you don't do it yourself.