Aerating the lakes please!

[pikergolf]

How does a high keep limit support fishing? People want to catch fish, a lake gets stocked once a year, cutting the limit creates good fishing for an extended time. To me it's about creating the most success, over the longest period.

[jryley]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Personally I would like to see a yearly limit of 5 fish on stocked waters per person.....that way people would be able to catch some decent fish at all times.....

Maybe a stocked water tag system....

LC

Funding the manpower to monitor that kind of system is back words in terms of financial viability....as is the theory that trying to maintain/aerate a small stocked pond is viable investment. Common sense states its cheaper to just allow a a pond to get fished out yearly and restock fingerlings.

Grass aint always greener fellas

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by jryley

Funding the manpower to monitor that kind of system is back words in terms of finacial viability....as is the theory that try to maintain/aerate a small stocked pond. Common sense states its cheaper to just allow a a pod to get fished out yearly and restock fingerlings.

Grass aint always greener fellas

Agree.

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by coyotezh

Hermitage was not fished out last year. I caught about 15 tiny not edible fish on Oct 24, 2012 from this pond. Fished from 9 to 3 that day.....

i agree about herm. not getting fished out. the last 3 years we caught trout there ice fishing in dec. and jan. Yet in the spring iv'e never caught or heard of someone catching one that overwintered. that is one pond where aeration might help some trout make it through the winter but i doubt the city would ever do it simply due to liability issues of
having an area of open water all winter and the thinner ice surrounding it.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by jryley

Funding the manpower to monitor that kind of system is back words in terms of financial viability....as is the theory that trying to maintain/aerate a small stocked pond is viable investment. Common sense states its cheaper to just allow a a pond to get fished out yearly and restock fingerlings.

Grass aint always greener fellas

Clearly people have a quantity over quality philosophy when it comes to stocked water fisheries.

LC

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Clearly people have a quantity over quality philosophy when it comes to stocked water fisheries.

LC

i don't fish herm pond anymore in the spring or summer (except to bring my 3 yr. old grandson there soon to catch his first fish) but late fall or ice fishing there can be fun and since the fish are all going to die over winter anyway, why not keep the limit? i find them quite tasty.

[BGSH]

Originally Posted by coyotezh

but those places are located at remote areas. most people just want to spend some time on fishing, not driving... not mention the gas price is so high these days... People can caculate: driving 100km will at least cost you 10 dollar of gasoline, how about increase the license fee a little bit, but you could catch big fish while you only drive 20km? not mention you could enjoy fishing longer time..less change you get lost and way less change get involved in an accident. lots of advantage, just don't understand why SRD don't want to do it?

Thats good all these lakes that hold trophy fish are in remote areas. better chance at catching a beauty without the crowds not to mention the scenery

[waterninja]

Originally Posted by BGSH

Thats good all these lakes that hold trophy fish are in remote areas. better chance at catching a beauty without the crowds not to mention the scenery

x2

[jryley]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Clearly people have a quantity over quality philosophy when it comes to stocked water fisheries.

LC

For sure they do, but theres nothing wrong with that. From my standpoint if Im taking my son fishing to Beaumont Pond im not going there to sit over a pole for 2 hours hoping to hook into the next record book fish. Im going to watch him catch hundreds of little dinky fish and have a great time. With that being said, and at the same time, I dont think that statement is entirely true. Is peppers lake not a stocked lake? I know I dont go there to hook into a ton of little guys. I go hooping to hook into a big one! So I think its a matter of effectively utilizing the resource dollars we have available. The guys pounding their fists every spring about how SRD should buck up and fine every "good for nothing" ATV'er while in the same breath spewing out sympathy for their lack of resources and ever decreasing budgets are the same guys preaching additional spending and brand new costly initiatives like aerating municipal ponds for a few bigger fish! Gimme a break

[Lefty-Canuck]

I agree for a stocked pond I like to take my kid down there to catch fish not overly worried about size, numbers keep the kids interested.

The thing is the lake gets cleaned out super quick by families of people catching and keeping their full limits multiple times a week.

Then the kids have nothing left to catch.

Certain stocked LAKES can support a healthy fishery.....the Beaumont POND ....not so much....

LC

[Bigtoad]

Here's what can happen when a few lakes are managed properly... they are either total C&R or you can keep one UNDER 18".

https://www.dropbox.com/s/9fuk9bw8msbj4kn/P5160351.JPG

https://www.dropbox.com/s/dlwm13fs99wmno6/P5160359.JPG

We caught a lot of fish on two days but the weather changed and fish were hard to come by. Despite what HunterDave and others would have you believe, bigger fish are not easier catch and you still had to work for them. The 3rd day, 5 of us fished hard and only moved 3 fish. The bonus being that the work paid off when your reel started to sing. Cause personally, I'd fish all day to catch one big fish than to catch an unlimited number of small ones. But that just me.

Too bad I have to drive 12 hours east to catch that quality of fish (or share the same pothole as Dave I guess, cause he has no problem catching big fish...pfff... whatever.)

Cheers.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

Too bad I have to drive 12 hours east to catch that quality of fish (or share the same pothole as Dave I guess, cause he has no problem catching big fish...pfff... whatever.)

Cheers.

I prefer driving the 30 minutes to an hour, or even 2 hours, for a chance to catch a big trout. If you think that all of the lakes in Alberta either winter kill or get fished out then you're sadly mistaken. To some of us it's not a big secret.

I love it when fly fishermen whine about not being able to catch big trout when people are routinely pulling 10lb lakers out of Cold Lake and 3lb rainbows out of Lakes X, Y and Z. Poor buggers....lol.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I prefer driving the 30 minutes to an hour, or even 2 hours, for a chance to catch a big trout. If you think that all of the lakes in Alberta either winter kill or get fished out then you're sadly mistaken. To some of us it's not a big secret.

I love it when fly fishermen whine about not being able to catch big trout when people are routinely pulling 10lb lakers out of Cold Lake and 3lb rainbows out of Lakes X, Y and Z. Poor buggers....lol.

Take off the blinders Dave, this is the fishing section.

[Bigtoad]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

I prefer driving the 30 minutes to an hour, or even 2 hours, for a chance to catch a big trout. If you think that all of the lakes in Alberta either winter kill or get fished out then you're sadly mistaken. To some of us it's not a big secret.

I love it when fly fishermen whine about not being able to catch big trout when people are routinely pulling 10lb lakers out of Cold Lake and 3lb rainbows out of Lakes X, Y and Z. Poor buggers....lol.

See, I wouldn't want to fish the same lakes as you anyway, you're annoying from 100km's away, let alone from the same lake. I'm sure there would be a steady breeze of hot air coming from your general area most of the time; it might make for nice chironomid fishing with some chop on the water but constant, nagging wind all day is enough to make you crazy.

And Cold Lake or the K Lakes aren't what we're talking about here Dave but I enjoy your deflections, as always. It's relatively small, aerated lakes that I believe was the original posting. And maybe a 3lb fish is big to you...fair enough, but it's funny how much bigger than 3lbs trout can get when they are managed properly.

[RavYak]

Something is wrong with your face, you should probably get that checked out.

Correct me if I am wrong as I never fish there but Hermitage usually gets fished out by the fall anyways I thought. What is the point of putting an aerator in there?

There are a couple more lakes I would like to see aerators in closer to Edmonton but the costs are quite high as another poster pointed out.

[BGSH]

Originally Posted by RavCanoe

Something is wrong with your face, you should probably get that checked out.

Correct me if I am wrong as I never fish there but Hermitage usually gets fished out by the fall anyways I thought. What is the point of putting an aerator in there?

There are a couple more lakes I would like to see aerators in closer to Edmonton but the costs are quite high as another poster pointed out.

Caught trout at herm all the way through febuary. But herm having open water all season probably not the best choice.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

See, I wouldn't want to fish the same lakes as you anyway, you're annoying from 100km's away, let alone from the same lake. I'm sure there would be a steady breeze of hot air coming from your general area most of the time; it might make for nice chironomid fishing with some chop on the water but constant, nagging wind all day is enough to make you crazy.

And Cold Lake or the K Lakes aren't what we're talking about here Dave but I enjoy your deflections, as always. It's relatively small, aerated lakes that I believe was the original posting. And maybe a 3lb fish is big to you...fair enough, but it's funny how much bigger than 3lbs trout can get when they are managed properly.

LMAO......I don't think that you have to worry about me fishing any of the "quality" lakes. I leave the special people alone......not my type.

So if the "quality" lakes are that great why would you drive 12 hours instead of driving to one of them.......Yet you want to create more of them......Absolutely brilliant!

Aerating a lake might help the trout over winter but it'll never grow them very big....especially any lake in or near a big city. You'd have to make it C&R or regulate it like a "quality" lake and every Spring (no icefishing!) people would rush down to fish out the keepers. This might make the "special" people happy but not the average person that fishes those lakes just for the fun of it. Maybe the OP should be fishing Muir Lake. It's close to the city, aerated and people boast of big trout in it. Have at er!

[walking buffalo]

Originally Posted by pikergolf

How does a high keep limit support fishing? People want to catch fish, a lake gets stocked once a year, cutting the limit creates good fishing for an extended time. To me it's about creating the most success, over the longest period.

Manage stocked waters for different purposes. For the high traffic locations and for the kids, "any possession limit can be maintained through supplemental stocking".

My main point is it time for the fishing community to stop relying on having the government do all the work. Local activism needs to become common again. Got a local fishery that needs attention, then get involved. The government is quite willing to play along....


On the aeration issue, lakes do not need to be aerated all winter long. The late winter is when low oxygen issues are most likey to occur. For an example, at one small private lake that I help maintain we monitor the oxygen levels throughout the winter. This lake is used for skating/curling recreation when the ice is strong. Often just before breakup we need to pump up the oxygen levels so the ice access is shut down and aeration starts. People lose perhaps a week or two of on ice time when the ice could be sketchy anyways and thus maintain a great fishery. After experiencing a couple of winterkills, we no longer have a winterkill issue and now have trout exceeding 15 pounds.

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

Here's what can happen when a few lakes are managed properly... they are either total C&R or you can keep one UNDER 18".



Cheers.

Managed properly?

That's just one Perspective. It is also proper management to have high volume put and take fisheries for the community to enjoy. Let's have a bunch of both.

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Clearly people have a quantity over quality philosophy when it comes to stocked water fisheries.

LC

I favour quality fisheries, but some(many) would not be suitable for quality fisheries.

[Bigtoad]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

Managed properly?

That's just one Perspective. It is also proper management to have high volume put and take fisheries for the community to enjoy. Let's have a bunch of both.

I agree 100% that we need both. But currently we don't "have a bunch of both," we have a bunch of one kind that appeals to some and a few of the other which appeals to a growing number of people. In fact, according to a random angling poll by SRD of more than 1000 anglers, a majority of people (see graph below). Yet the vast majority of lakes are a 5 fish limit of any size. Doesn't make any sense.

Just drive down to Beaver Lake by Caroline on a weekend or any other easily accessible "Quality" lake in the province (there's only a handful) and see how busy they are. It's clear that we need more of them.

bigger fish.jpg

Cheers,

[huntsfurfish]

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

I agree 100% that we need both. But currently we don't "have a bunch of both," we have a bunch of one kind that appeals to some and a few of the other which appeals to a growing number of people. In fact, according to a random angling poll by SRD of more than 1000 anglers, a majority of people (see graph below). Yet the vast majority of lakes are a 5 fish limit of any size. Doesn't make any sense.

Just drive down to Beaver Lake by Caroline on a weekend or any other easily accessible "Quality" lake in the province (there's only a handful) and see how busy they are. It's clear that we need more of them.

Attachment 73852

Cheers,

Agree

[Bigtoad]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

So if the "quality" lakes are that great why would you drive 12 hours instead of driving to one of them.......Yet you want to create more of them......Absolutely brilliant!

Simply because there are not enough quality lakes in the province to meet the demand of people who want to fish them. These lakes become slightly better than regular 5 fish lakes but SRD overstocking and fish mortality rates aren't allowing many of these fish to grow over 5lbs+.

In Manitoba, there are a number of lakes in a close radius that are managed well to grow big fish and see relatively little fishing pressure. 4-5lbs is an average fish, they often stock brown and rainbows together, they have tiger trout, and the chance at a 10lb+ fish is a real possibility. It's enough to seriously wreck a guy.

Originally Posted by HunterDave

Aerating a lake might help the trout over winter but it'll never grow them very big....especially any lake in or near a big city. You'd have to make it C&R or regulate it like a "quality" lake and every Spring (no icefishing!) people would rush down to fish out the keepers.

Yes. Aerated lakes should be C&R or a limit of one. Glad you figured that out all on your own. I don't know why SRD has such an issue with ice fishermen to be honest? They allow it in Manitoba... hey, they even allow bait!

Originally Posted by HunterDave

This might make the "special" people happy but not the average person that fishes those lakes just for the fun of it. Maybe the OP should be fishing Muir Lake. It's close to the city, aerated and people boast of big trout in it. Have at er!

Actually Dave, the average person would rather catch larger fish (even if it means catching less) than more, smaller fish. The "special" people these days are the ones that bonk their limit every time they are out fishing with little regard for the sustainability or future of that fishery (obviously, keeping 5 at a lake that winterkills anyway is not what I'm talking about here).

Cheers.

[Bhflyfisher]

I find it so funny, that lakes like muir, beaver, and etc have more people on them in on one day, then others like sh!tkakoo, sauer, star and etc, see in an entire week.

[BGSH]

Originally Posted by Bhflyfisher

I find it so funny, that lakes like muir, beaver, and etc have more people on them in on one day, then others like sh!tkakoo, sauer, star and etc, see in an entire week.

Ya I agree but keep in mind usually people who fish muir release the fish they catch and usually people who fish the others keep everything. If we had open water at herm all year round they would have to stock it every two-three months to keep up with the demand.

[Northwinds]

Maybe there is a need for a properly managed u-fish type operation that has
quality fish over 5 lbs and bigger.Raising fish to that weight and would not be cheap.I also suspect catch and release would be out of the question as the mortality rate of the bigger fish being so high, especially in the summer months, would make releasing a fish of that size unpractical.Death losses in big heavily fed fish can exceed 60% even with the best C&R skills.

[Redfrog]

Originally Posted by walking buffalo

If it is a put and take fishery, any possession limit can be maintained through supplemental stocking. Keep the keep numbers high and promote fishing!







Instead of asking the general fishing public and the government to look after things, get proactive and JUST DO IT!

Garner support and funding locally to improve your fishery and get it done.


It wasn't very long ago that the majority of Alberta fishery maintainance ws accomplished through grass roots efforts. It seems to be now that most people just want to put a dollar down and have someone else do the work. We need to change this mindset and look after local projects ourselves.

I like perch. you are talking about a bucket list right? Or just double the numbers for stocking and double the license fees.

[Redfrog]

Originally Posted by BGSH

Thats good all these lakes that hold trophy fish are in remote areas. better chance at catching a beauty without the crowds not to mention the scenery

What about the families and poor people who would like to catch a quality fish once in a while? It's fine if you are rich enough to spend all your time fishing. Let the others eat cake.

[aulrich]

Out of all the fish out there stocked trout should have tags. or at least a supplementary licence like if you want to hunt pheasants.

Personally I would question if a lake that needed aeration to get the fish through winter would be suitable as a quality lake.

[pikergolf]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

LMAO......I don't think that you have to worry about me fishing any of the "quality" lakes. I leave the special people alone......not my type.

So if the "quality" lakes are that great why would you drive 12 hours instead of driving to one of them.......Yet you want to create more of them......Absolutely brilliant!

Aerating a lake might help the trout over winter but it'll never grow them very big....especially any lake in or near a big city. You'd have to make it C&R or regulate it like a "quality" lake and every Spring (no icefishing!) people would rush down to fish out the keepers. This might make the "special" people happy but not the average person that fishes those lakes just for the fun of it. Maybe the OP should be fishing Muir Lake. It's close to the city, aerated and people boast of big trout in it. Have at er!

Dave have you ever fished a quality lake?

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

I agree 100% that we need both. But currently we don't "have a bunch of both," we have a bunch of one kind that appeals to some and a few of the other which appeals to a growing number of people. In fact, according to a random angling poll by SRD of more than 1000 anglers, a majority of people (see graph below). Yet the vast majority of lakes are a 5 fish limit of any size. Doesn't make any sense.

What doesn't make sense is you lobbying for more of these "quality" lakes yet you drive 12 hours to fish in Manitoba instead of fishing them. HELLO.....Police and Bullshead are just down the road from you but you said that you have to drive 12 hours to get to some "quality" fishing? Can you say FAIL?

I am very familiar with the graph that you displayed. SRD posted the survey on the RELM website for 30 days (?) until they realized that it was a useless way of gathering info because it was skewed. When the word got passed amongst the Trout Unlimited (TU) members that the survey was on there they made sure of it.....lol.

I don't think that you "quality" guys have any idea of what you're doing and you can't see past making it easier to catch bigger fish. Most people leave you guys alone at places like Muir but if you start taking lakes like Dolberg, which for anyone that isn't aware of it is on the TU hit list to create a "quality" lake (sneaky buggers), then guys like me are going to fish them every opportunity that we get and keep the one big fish that we are allowed to. How are you going to grow big fish.....not that it's been successful anywhere else for goodness sakes?

If you want to reclaim a lake like they did at Muir then good for you....people will leave you alone with it. But if you want to put aerators in a bunch of lakes and turn them into C&R lakes or "quality" lakes with special regulations, take away icefishing and the use of bait just so it's easier for you to catch bigger fish......then !