Prime bass water: Think I’ve mentioned before there’s a lake about 100 miles from my house that has bass in it that I’ve wanted to try. Only other closer is the pond in town. I was...

bric Loc: Helena, MT

Think I’ve mentioned before there’s a lake about 100 miles from my house that has bass in it that I’ve wanted to try. Only other closer is the pond in town.
I was forewarned by my buddy the night before, however this lake is on the way, as I was going to visit.
As I got my boat fully inflated at the put it, two guys were coming off the water. They said no luck at all, didn’t even see a fish. They are regulars here and said it should be ‘fish on’ this time of year.
I said that I heard there was a fish kill from the long cold winter, but I was going in anyway to at least get some exercise rowing around. Then one of them went over and read the sign.
Needless to say I had the same luck as them.
Hope this lake recovers soon.

Papa Jack Loc: Indianapolis

That is a shame

fishyaker Loc: NW Michigan (Lower Peninsula)

WOW! What a beautiful spot! That is tragic about the Winterkill phenomenon. We get that around here too...and it's a real shame when it happens.

Very nice photo spread to support your story, and at least the effort paid off with spectacular scenery.

bric Loc: Helena, MT

fishyaker wrote:

WOW! What a beautiful spot! That is tragic about the Winterkill phenomenon. We get that around here too...and it's a real shame when it happens.

Very nice photo spread to support your story, and at least the effort paid off with spectacular scenery.

Least it was on the way to my buddy's place so not a total bust. Wish I would have tried it sooner. But I will keep and eye out and be back. It will be interesting to see how dedicated our fish & game department is to managing this fishery. I'm going to call the most local office and find out who the biologist is and visit with him/her. They are usually pretty receptive to feedback and giving information, just might take awhile to get ahold of them.

bknecht Loc: Northeast pa

bric wrote:

Think I’ve mentioned before there’s a lake about 1... (show quote)

Sorry to see this Bric, I’ve experienced that same scenario many years ago on one of my favorite home lakes. The oxygen deprivation that occurs during weed decomposition after an especially long cover of ice takes a serious toll. Many times after such a catastrophic event the focus then becomes chemical weed control which also has its drawbacks. Man wasn’t meant to control nature.

mistred64 Loc: Grayslake, illinois

That's sad.

FishermanLeeSonoma

Bummer but hopefully they won't take too long to rehabilitate the lake. Looks like a lot vegetation has to go and some well planned stocking of sunfish. They have those strange barges with a wide paddle wheel they use to help take out vegetation, I hope they get a quick start so the fish will have a good start.

bric Loc: Helena, MT

FishermanLeeSonoma wrote:

Bummer but hopefully they won't take too long to rehabilitate the lake. Looks like a lot vegetation has to go and some well planned stocking of sunfish. They have those strange barges with a wide paddle wheel they use to help take out vegetation, I hope they get a quick start so the fish will have a good start.

There was another sign that said they stock with bass to control the perch population so they would get larger. Also said they stock fingerling bass as well as adults. I didn’t see a huge weed problem as the water was pretty clear, just the lily pads. Heard there were pike in there as well.

Rhyno Loc: Santa Rosa,California

bric wrote:

Think I’ve mentioned before there’s a lake about 1... (show quote)

Mother Nature doing her work

FishermanLeeSonoma

bric wrote:

There was another sign that said they stock with bass to control the perch population so they would get larger. Also said they stock fingerling bass as well as adults. I didn’t see a huge weed problem as the water was pretty clear, just the lily pads. Heard there were pike in there as well.

That's great! Just need some time for the fish to grow. Sounds like plenty of food!

NJ219bands Loc: New Jersey

After a fish kill in a pond near my house, I caught nothing for several years. Then after the pond recovered naturally, I caught and released > 700 fish in 3 days.

Bassmatter Loc: Rohnert Park Ca.

bric wrote:

Think I’ve mentioned before there’s a lake about 1... (show quote)

That’s a shame hopefully it recovers! I’m not sure how long till it does! A lot of years! bric good to hear from you! Good luck and be safe!

JB134 Loc: Montana

Hey Tim… I’m just a little suspicious when it comes to Fish & Game here in our state when it relates to bass. I’ve had several face to face conversations with them about bass here. In a nut shell, they told me bass were enemy #1 as trout is king… they actually poisoned lakes throughout Montana to kill bass. They further told me that they stopped doing this about 15 years ago, but it was still on the table because they believe bass are putting a serious dent in their trout and Kokanee salmon populations. Those 2 fish basically supports their budgets. I’m not saying specifically they did anything to that body of water, but having work for the government my entire life, I do not discount the possibility. Anyway, just my 2 cents. Cheers

40GRIT Loc: San Ramon, CA

bric wrote:

Think I’ve mentioned before there’s a lake about 1... (show quote)

Bummer Bric, any idea the reason for the fish kill?

runandgun Loc: East Texas

JB134 wrote:

Hey Tim… I’m just a little suspicious when it come... (show quote)

JB, I had the same conversation several years ago. They definitely prize the trout and salmon fisheries.