There is definitely no way one answer can be correct for each distinct watershed.
Local unique conditions will dictate populations, size and distribution within that lake and/or river system.
The obvious ones are predation (fishermen, birds and other predatory fish), available food and forage, cover, water quality, etc... etc...
There are definitely good arguments to support your comments are true and other arguments that would oppose your view ...... depends on the specific lake or system you might be referring to.
My point is - this issue, and subsequent conditions that are deemed as contributing causes, if present, are very specific to each watershed.
Without a proper study, however, we are just throwing out opinions ..... but worth a good discussion anyways ...........
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