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...