KayakDon Loc: Bethel, NY

Been fishing on the same 215 acre private lake for the last 20 years - no motor boats, catch and release for bass and pickerel. For the first several years, I could count on catching LMB almost every time I went out, usually 2 or 3, often in the 3-4 lb. range. Caught several 3 pounders fishing off our shore. Last 5 years, not so much. This spring for instance, been out maybe 15 times, total of 40 hours, caught 10 LMB, most 12" plus or minus, one 3 pounder and one 4 pounder - plus lots of pickerel, couple of smallmouth (small), crappie. perch, occasional bluegill. Pickerel can be good size - lots over 18", caught one 23" this past week.

So, question is, what could be going on? One old-timer swears it's an explosion of the crappie population. They are apparently voracious eaters of bass fry. That's not something I've noticed. No obvious changes in the watershed over this period - vegetation, water clarity, temperature about the same. I don't think there's been a big increase in the fishing pressure over the years. No more than 5 people who fish regularly (two to three days every couple of weeks) plus another 5 once or twice a month.

Thoughts?

DANO19 Loc: Missouri

Weed out those Pickerel. They probably eating most of the smaller fish since they seem to be prospering. Also you may have stunted Largemouths if you got a lot of 12 inchers. Time to weed a few of them out also.

OJdidit Loc: Oak Creek Wisconsin

DANO may be onto something, or perhaps not everyone is practicing C&R? Are people ice fishing in the Winter, too? Water clarity may be pushing them deeper as well as you may have Zebra Mussels affecting that, too.
You may want to consult with an expert to do a study to gather facts and develop a management plan.

Billy Bob Loc: Terre Haute,IN

If it is totally catch and release for the main predator fish, then it is probably over stocked, and they are stunted. You are supposed to take a certain number of fish out every year to maintain a good size ratio. Don't remember what it was exactly but could be googled for sure.

Big dog Loc: Bayshore, Long Island, New York

👍👍👍

MoJoe Loc: Springfield, MO

Just a thought: possibly establishing additional habitat would help. The more 'edges', the better, especially with advances in side and down imaging.

MoJoe Loc: Springfield, MO

Just a thought: possibly establishing additional habitat would help. The more 'edges', the better, especially with advances in side and down imaging.

agatemaggot Loc: iowa

Crappie will overpopulate a lake and thats what you have going on !

KayakDon Loc: Bethel, NY

Ice fishing could be part of the problem. It's a private lake with limited access, but a whole lot easier to get on the lake in the winter. I've heard we've had an increasing problem with poachers over the last couple of years who are definitely not practicing C&R.

Jim Kay Loc: Franklin, Virginia

Your Bass have probably matured to a point where they are not feeding where you are fishing. Read Spoonpluggig by Buck Perry or Lunkers Love Nightcrawlers by Karl Malz and Spence Petros.

NorthMoccasin Loc: SW Virginia, sometimes east central Florida

Dano and Billy Bob are on the right track. The population is out of balance. Are there lots of small crappie? they are usually undesirable in small lakes, due to the tendency to overpopulate. Total C&R on the top predators will usually result in lots of fish that grow slowly due to competition for food. Selective harvest is a better option.
Some state wildlife agencies have pond management specialists that can give you advise on what your options are. Failing that, private consultants are available to provide that service.

DANO19 Loc: Missouri

For each Bass removed, remove 10 Bluegill to keep a balance. How to correct an un-balance will need local conservation people to determine exactly. If there are a lot of 12 inch bass and pickerel, there should be some really large bluegills as the smaller ones should be forage for the other predators.

Vt bob Loc: Vermont

There may be another kind of invasive fish in the lake you don't know about. People put foreign fish or fish not good for bass eggs.
Also has a lot of cover been removed like blowdowns and underwater structure?
One of the best trout fishing streams in Vermont,the Battenkill ,suffered greatly due to natural cover being removed and the state is trying to resolve the problem.