Emergency Regulations Lake Cumberland-Striper

[Chubminnow]

I sure will be glad when the repair work to the dam is complete.

[peter]

When the lake comes back up might be tough in the spring to pull shallow near the banks with all the bushes and 20 foot tall trees that will be under water. Snag city. The tops of some of those trees can look like fish on a fish finder.

Some body come up with a plan.

[Duayne]

I'm glad they are doing something. Maybe this will be the start of the seasonal regulations many of us have been asking for. This is pretty much my signal that the only equipment that should be used for catching stripers might be a landing net at this time.

For anyone that has been down of late, how are the walleye and the bait fish holding up?

[KR]

Kill em all!

[striper81]

I have been fishing for stripers on LC for probably 15 years or more and im not entirely sure of this new regulation. Since the mortality rate is considerably higher on fish that are caught and released in water temps exceeding 70 Degrees, Why can we not have a "season" in place during the months when the water temp on average is higher than 70 possibly close the season during the months when the mortality rate is higher and re-open the season when the mortality rate is lower, (Such as mid July -mid September closed.) This could be put in place until the lake returns to normal. I could be entirely wrong in thinking this and some will probably think I am crazy. I don’t feel like this will help the fishing pressure on the fish currently in the lake now but only hurt the population. If that is the intent then by all means keep 5 @22" Just my .02 This is not a new problem we all know that the mortality rate is higher in the summer months weather the lake is at 723 or 680. The situation is just made worse by the lower lake levels.

[markmac60]

A bit off subject but related. Am I the only one that does not expect the lake to ever be brought back up to it's pre-drawdown level of 720? I believe that the powers to be will bring it back up but only partially, probably 700. I believe the decision will be based on two main factors. 1) All necessary low water adjustments have been made by now (water intake, ramps, etc...) and most importantly 2) protection of the huge investment of the repair. 20 extra feet in elevation translates into a bunch more pressure on the dam, specifically the earthened portion and the associated limestone, which is the weak link. I understand the financial impact that the drawdown has had to the local economy, but a partial rise in the water level will bring back most of the people that have stayed away due to inaccurate reporting (and some malicious) that they drained the lake. They have to protect the investment. Just my opinion.

[Redskeeter]

I have been fishing for stripers on LC for probably 15 years or more and im not entirely sure of this new regulation. Since the mortality rate is considerably higher on fish that are caught and released in water temps exceeding 70 Degrees, Why can we not have a "season" in place during the months when the water temp on average is higher than 70 possibly close the season during the months when the mortality rate is higher and re-open the season when the mortality rate is lower, (Such as mid July -mid September closed.) This could be put in place until the lake returns to normal. I could be entirely wrong in thinking this and some will probably think I am crazy. I don’t feel like this will help the fishing pressure on the fish currently in the lake now but only hurt the population. If that is the intent then by all means keep 5 @22" Just my .02 This is not a new problem we all know that the mortality rate is higher in the summer months weather the lake is at 723 or 680. The situation is just made worse by the lower lake levels.

This actually makes sence to me.Although I have not been fishing for stripers on CL yet I believe a season to protect these fish is a great idea. Many states have seasons for different species at it seems to work so why not on stripers. And if any of you pros happened to see my red skeeter on the lake this fall looking lost feel free to point me in the right direction.

[Ky Trophy Fish]

What some don't understand is that most of the fish floating on surface are there not because anyone caught and released them,but due to poor water conditions(high water temps/poor oxygen content).This is due to the large amount of cold water pulled from Cumberland this spring and summer to keep lake level close to 680.Higher than normal summer air temps hurt also.

There is a number of fish floating aournd Indian Creek /Dam area.Won't speculate as to the number ,but it is significent!!!Haven't been on other areas of lake to have first hand knowledge.This is a very serious situtation for Cumberland's striper fishery.Comments about possible changes to striper regs to improve the fishery are mute till the work on dam is done and lake returns to normal (We can all hope).Had the same situtation this time last year-mainly with walleye.If we have a heavy rainfall year in 2011 and Corp has to dump lots of water,depleting the cool water reserves,we will be facing this problem again.

Some who have commented that lake would be better off without stripers might think about this --If striper fishery goes to pot,most will still fish for something/somewhere. Be carefull what you wish for,might see a bunch more people after your targeted fish at your favorite spot.

[Jbyrd]

Ok I am the first to admit that I am not a striper fisherman . But early in the summer and late spring the number of stripers that we where catching while fishing for bass was UNREAL.. Every weekend while tournament fishing we where catching 75 - 100 !!!! Most were 15 -20 inches long. BUT I heard that the fish and wildlife had increased the numbers they had stocked.
OKAY this is the same thought process that third world countries use in having kids. Limited amount of food, (oxygen) but if they have more kids then the chance of one surviving is greater. OK COMMON sense kicking in , the more fish in a lake the more oxygen being used up. Yes there is a happy medium but if it is known that the oxygen levels won't sustain but a certain number of fish ,why add to that number? And another thought what about other lakes that the damns are not being repaired. The ones the level remain pretty constant. One key factor is grass. It adds oxygen to the water. Also some one said the problem was they had to pull the lake to keep it at a certain level ,actually pulling the lake helps the o2 levels , current = dissovled oxygen increasing.

[Duayne]

They didn't increase the stocking number on a whim. Results showed that stripers are using more of the lake than they originally thought and they stock based on the USAGE lake area.
The issue with drawing more water than normal has to do with where they draw it from and the affect it has on lake temps. The draw happens from the lower reaches, which pulls the cooler water which raises the over all lake temp and removes some of the cool water layers. The fish have been fine with the higher than normal temps, until this latest dry spell. The higher temps results in lower amounts of dissolved oxygen and without a source to help keep levels up, the amounts can drop rapidly this time of year. The slight current movement from drawing does not add O2 to the lake. It may help the river..

As Randall pointed out, this has nothing to do with catch and release *this time*. That can be an issue with 4 year or older stripers in normal years. But if adult fish are distressed before catch and release at this time, that means the 2-3 year classes would move into the range of dying during catch and release.

*Please* if you fish for stripers at this time *please* make sure to not fish the jumps and use larger baits to try to avoid the 2-3 year classes. Getting those fish through this as unharmed as possible is a major key to the next few years. Take advantage of the size limit and stop when you have your limit. If you get the chance to net a dying fish, please do so and take advantage. Getting those fish out will help. Also, use some sense and only collect *dying* fish and not *dead* fish for consumption.

Pray for rain...

[Jbyrd]

Ok quick question . Does boat traffic add o2 to the water. I already know this answer because o2 levels in water is what I do for a living. Also current does add o2. When the lake is not moving it looses more oxygen than if there is current. Anything in the water that current moves around it adds dissolved oxygen, It might not be a large amount but it does add it in ppm. This is the reason that in extreme cases the fish will be in 1 foot of water with 90 degree water temps. The waves and boat wash add o2 to the water at that level
But back to my original question why add more fish that will use up more oxygen. 2 fish in a livewell don't use as much oxygen as 5,6,7 ect....

[FlyLie]

Sometimes I can't help but just wonder about some of the remarks posted on this board.....??