West Boggs Shad Kill

[Tackled]

I fished West Boggs this weekend for the first time in a few years. The first thing I noticed was tens of thousands of dead shad in the 4" to 6" range. Gladly, I only saw two other species (two small catfish and one very small crappie). The second thing I noticed was an oily scumslick up in the shallow stump field (the waterfowl resting area) on the north end of the lake. Anyone know what is up? Water is wayyyyyy discolored - maybe from run-off, no idea since I drive a bit to get there. Only caught four bass all day on Sunday

[MikeAxsom]

We have not been able to actually determine a precise cause for the shad kill, but we have eliminated some possibilities. The most likely cause, after talking with IDNR biologists, seems to be the rapid change of surface temperature during the two 80+ degree days we had late last week. This caused surface temps to rise quickly, and may also have caused some water column mixing more rapidly than the average spring warm up. This theory is supported by the almost totally selectivity to shad in the kill. We'll take the shad kill as a bonus, and we really needed it to happen.

There has been no chemical treatment for fisheries management, and the only explanation I can give for the scum seen in some shallow areas is decaying vegetation caused from silt covering plants during the recent floods. Those floods are also the cause of the lingering turbidity of the water; although that is clearing more daily now.

[indiana boy]

Anybody know how the tournaments turned out this weekend? Was there a good turn out?

[Moose1am]

I would guess that it may be a type of disease that's specific to Gizzard Shad only. When you get very high populations of any animal living in very close proximity the spread of disease can be very rapid. But I do agree that it was a good thing that should help lower the GS population for a while. Many scientists understand the population dynamics of different species. Populations can build up and then crash from disease or lack of food. I wonder if the population crash of the GS will help the sunfish population expand as maybe they will have more food than before. With less GS in the lake. GS eat the same food sources that the sunfish eat.Were the variations in the lake's surface temperature greater than in the past few years?

We have not been able to actually determine a precise cause for the shad kill, but we have eliminated some possibilities. The most likely cause, after talking with IDNR biologists, seems to be the rapid change of surface temperature during the two 80+ degree days we had late last week. This caused surface temps to rise quickly, and may also have caused some water column mixing more rapidly than the average spring warm up. This theory is supported by the almost totally selectivity to shad in the kill. We'll take the shad kill as a bonus, and we really needed it to happen.

There has been no chemical treatment for fisheries management, and the only explanation I can give for the scum seen in some shallow areas is decaying vegetation caused from silt covering plants during the recent floods. Those floods are also the cause of the lingering turbidity of the water; although that is clearing more daily now.

[RickF]

I fished the one on Saturday. I think there were 30 boats. I only managed 3 that went about 9 1/2 pounds. The winner had an amazing 5 fish limit that weighed 29.95 lbs. He had 2 8lbers. My fish came shallow on red rattle trap. My guess is the winner was bed fishing.

[MikeAxsom]

Moose1am, there is no apparant disease vector in this event, and the kill appears to have run its course over the weekend. As soon as the temps cooled back down the kill subsided. I wish you were right and we had developed some GS specific disease. I'd be trying to bottle the stuff and looking to retire early.

I suspect the high GS population did contribute an additional stress factor which may have affected them, as we know shad are subject to the cumulative effect of various stress conditions. But the experts looking at this one are convinced it was mostly the rapid temp change.

[JBucher]

Anybody know how the tournaments turned out this weekend? Was there a good turn out?

Is this Jeremy?

[indiana boy]

Yes John this is Jeremy, heard about the big stringer congrats. I have had a couple days like that out there but never in a tourn. thats awsome!! Did ya catch a bunch of fish?

[JBucher]

Yes John this is Jeremy, heard about the big stringer congrats. I have had a couple days like that out there but never in a tourn. thats awsome!! Did ya catch a bunch of fish?

call me at 875 3839

[Tackled]

Congratulations on the big sack. I was part of the team that squeaked out the Sunday win. If you were fishing beds, I need to know your sunglass supplier, lol. Mine came shallow on wood with soft plastics in natural colors

[indiana boy]

What was the winning weight on Sunday?

[kenny]

I take it john had the 30lb sack,Congratulations. Who did you fish with your brother or weed?