New striper lake

[JoeB]

I hope that the fishery recovers in two years, but I find that hard to believe. Until the dam is fixed and the fish have a few years to recover, I will fish further south. I feel bad for the guides, this is how they make their living. I know striper guides on LC and hate to see them go through this. Norris Lake had a fish kill in '03 I think it was and it is still trying to recover. Norris will fully recover to trophy status before LC in my opinion. For those that think a 20 lb striper is a trophy, they haven't fished elsewhere. Just a little further south and a 20 lber is just another good fish. For those that think Ohio fisherman are desperate fisherman, I resemble that remark.

You mis-read something somewhere. I never said a 20 lb fish was a trophy, I said it was a quality fish. Big difference. And thanks, but I certainly have fished "elsewhere".

[Mean Morone]

You know, typed words can be read anyway they want to be read I guess. I'm sorry you thought I some how was trying to offend you. I was stating my opinion. I'm sure you have caught way more stripers than I will ever think about catching. Obviously you are a guide that is in defense mode right now. I don't blame you one bit. I hope the best for you. Matter of fact, If I knew you I would try my best to help send business your way. Good luck to you.

My opinion is that Lake Cumberland is my favorite lake. I have caught stripers up to 24 lb and smallies up to 5 lb mostly casting lures. I would love for the lake to produce half a dozen 10 to 20 lb stripers in a fall night like it used to. Those are quality fish. Until then I will fish elsewhere. Lets all hope that it will recover in a couple years after the dam is fixed.

[cindave]

Just the other day I was thinking about how disappointing it would be if the KDF&W did not restock our lake anymore. I read on here the other day that it was a real possibility. I believe that any product is only as good as its managed or produced. I'm not sure the reason that the KDF&W is not planning on restocking Cumberland but if it is merely a money issue, I feel that a striper stamp, similar to the trout stamp should really be taken into consideration. I know that I wouldn't mind shelling out an extra $25.00 if it would help to preserve and better manage our precious resource. Wake up KDF&W and deal with the problem at hand and stop blaming all of the issues on a leaking dam.

[Duayne]

I thought they were stocking more, not planning to not stock any..

Folks, the amount of rain we are getting the last few years has as much or more to do with this issue than the dam. The fact is, attempting to hold the levels should HELP bass spawns, not hurt it. Of course pulling it hard hurts, but they wouldn't have had to pull it this hard if it wasn't for all the water. I think they are doing as much as they can. The dam had to be fixed so it ends up being that it is what it is.

The guides do need to make a living so putting the mandatory keep regs in place should happen. The smaller fish are better table fair anyway. Or at least the 24" fish are better than the 30". But that doesn't mean that us recreational fishermen can't give those up and comers a break until the water cools. The lake will be STACKED with keeper fish this time next year with heavy classes behind that. If a few of the bigger fish make it, then we'll also have some 20 lb fish then or soon. Right now, Its my opinion that the best thing to do is leave em be if at all possible.

[mhall]

I hope that the fishery recovers in two years, but I find that hard to believe. Until the dam is fixed and the fish have a few years to recover, I will fish further south. I feel bad for the guides, this is how they make their living. I know striper guides on LC and hate to see them go through this. Norris Lake had a fish kill in '03 I think it was and it is still trying to recover. Norris will fully recover to trophy status before LC in my opinion. For those that think a 20 lb striper is a trophy, they haven't fished elsewhere. Just a little further south and a 20 lber is just another good fish. For those that think Ohio fisherman are desperate fisherman, I resemble that remark.

Sorry Scott, you obviously are a good fisherman...

[agreynolds]

well I see that you guys aren't getting it. Perhaps you all should put some Wheatie Balls on your umbrella rigs and catch some yellow stipers instead of white carp.

[stripernut]

well I see that you guys aren't getting it. Perhaps you all should put some Wheatie Balls on your umbrella rigs and catch some yellow stipers instead of white carp.

hahaha....did that last year one afternoon with the wife.....the most fun ive had since coyotes ate my brother!

[mhall]

hahaha....did that last year one afternoon with the wife.....the most fun ive had since coyotes ate my brother!

Nice come back, lmao.................

[Jbyrd]

my vote is yes, i would love to see them put stripers in Laural lake, whitch is call the dead sea,,& ur all right instead of ppl taken there money to TN. it would be nice to have our money left here. or hybrids would be fine,very fun fish to fish for, there so maney hybrids in Cherokee lake, they call them (The Cherokee Bass) but eather way lets call Laural Lake some else besides the dead sea. & call Hybrid Heven...or something that the Ohio Navys afraid of,,,lol

If you are calling Laurel the dead sea YOU haven't been there in a while. ALL year 20 -25 lbs is what it has taken to win a tournament. Heck in one event we had 23 lbs and 14 ouncees and GOT BEAT 24.5 won. In a renegade evnt they had 13 boats and 9 of them had over 20 lbs. It has been that way for the last 5-6 years. DEAD SEA I THINK NOT>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

[Jbyrd]

even if they fix the dam and bring cumberland back to it's old self, it would still be a good idea to stock laurel with some striper or hybirds. I think two lakes in ky with striper in them would be great. everyone thinks they won't stock laurel with striper because of the trout. 20 miles from laurel lake is woodscreek lake and it is over stocked with trout. the hybirds would mix well with the trout in laurel, they stocked a lake in eastern ky, called fish trap lake with hybirds, and the hybird and trout fishing are both good in fishtrap. and it's a smaller lake than laurel.

Hey 2 lakes? Barren and herrington already have them. Why would we RUIN the best smallmouth lake BAR NONE in the state. Guys Don't judge a lake if you haven't fished it....

[mhall]

Hey 2 lakes? Barren and herrington already have them. Why would we RUIN the best smallmouth lake BAR NONE in the state. Guys Don't judge a lake if you haven't fished it....

JByrd we gotta talk brother, I have been hearing awesome things about Laurel, I have been wanting to fish it for several years now. I think you have made my mind up. I'll send you a PM later if you don't mind?

[Jbyrd]

I am not a biologist but I have fished small lakes and ponds my whole life. ( 48) years. When a body of water doesn't have the food or you don't harvest a certain class of size fish then a condition known as stunting happens. I E millions of 15- 20 inche stripers and a small amount of larger fish .I know several people make big bucks from the stripers but from a bass stand point stripers ruined cumberland for the bass. Don't start the don't compete issue I have fished this lake for 30 years and it was alot better before the big striper stockings ..


As for stocking laurel with stripers that would be the down fall of laurel ,Guys remember that until the record was reinstated the state record came out of laurel !!!!!!!!!!!!!!