Well I think Coal is close to dead

[timsesink]

After being at Coal 3x times last year and now 3x this and catching 2 fish in total I think this lake is pretty close to dead. A few years ago you could barely keep them off the tip-ups and now it's slowed to almost a stop. Does anyone have any thoughts on this or similar experiences? (and yes I know how to catch pike )

[Lefty-Canuck]

Proximity to the city, over fishing, poaching, winterkill, highly eutrophic lake close to many cattle operations....it all takes its toll.

I agree Coal was a Jem and now its just sad....it needs to be closed to retention.

LC

[bushnell]

Was out there last weekend,and yes it was dead. Didn't catch any ourselves and only saw a few caught around us. Have to agree with LC Coal used to be fantastic but now it sucks. Needs to to closed for retention for a few years.

[bloopbloob]

Yup. Used to be my favorite local spot, 20min drive. It got some publicity, and within 3 years, it went to crap. Now I don't even bother trying out there. Have a new spot that I haven't seen on the forum yet, but just by word of mouth i'd bet the traffic has increased 5fold in the last two years. It's going in the same direction

[Altawhitetail_11]

Such a shame. We used to go there all the time in highschool. 4-11 most night would yield 30+ fish. Isn't like that anymore. They need catch and release there for the next few years. Or at least bring the limit down

[Xiph0id]

I'm 15 mins away and I don't go there any more.
Only time I will go again is for a boat ride in the spring.
I'm done fishing it.
Fishing in the creek is still productive.
But not a lot of size.

[Game Hunter]

Caught 7or 8 pike last visit but they were all small. Now taking longer drives from the city to get better fishing experiences. It's a nice close place to fish, too bad it's slowing down.

[kirbstomps]

a good tactic that I use to see if its dead is to poke it in the eye with a stick....

[Isopod]

Personally I'd like to see it closed to any fishing for a few years, stock it generously with pike and perch, then re-open it but allow retention of only 25 cm and up perch and 61 cm and up pike.

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Isopod

Personally I'd like to see it closed to any fishing for a few years, stock it generously with pike and perch, then re-open it but allow retention of only 25 cm and up perch and 61 cm and up pike.

Sad to say but the same thing will occur a couple years after it reopens in that scenario.

LC

[bigfishen]

Originally Posted by Lefty-Canuck

Sad to say but the same thing will occur a couple years after it reopens in that scenario.

LC

I agree but it would be nice to see something being done, rather than keep on going down the road we are currently on.

[EZM]

Originally Posted by custom8mm

Was out Saturday all day on the south side had right around 25 flags up lots of dinks but loads of fun caught some 5-6 pound fish 1 12 pounder it's not bad out there if you just stick to your instincts fish the shallower stuff as they get close to spawn. Caught most
My fish in 6-7 ft

any pictures to share?

[chriscosta]

I never see people fishing perch there...anyone ever have any success?? That lake can produce some nice fish from what I can remember lol

[Lefty-Canuck]

I saw one on my camera last year....but I have weds the shallows there for hours upon hours and never seen a single perch minnow.

LC

[Safety D]

Its funny every one says DEAD now !!!! LOL

[Lefty-Canuck]

Originally Posted by Safety D

Its funny every one says DEAD now !!!! LOL

Yah its been dead for a longer time than now

LC

[BuckHunterBowen]

We'll believe it or not there are perch in there still...next to impossible to catch them...