Need to stop the fish slaughter.

[Raptor]

I think its time that F&W stop releasing dates and locations where they are stocking fish. Took a drive to Mount Lorette ponds today just to walk around, and not one fish was swimming around. its very sad to me. This used to be a great pond to bring my kids when they were little and let them experience catching a fish or two. Too many people have abused this pond in particular and even with two as a limit, it makes you wonder how this pond got cleaned out. As someone who has witnessed poaching and reported it, doesn't seem to matter.

I myself as an avid fisherman do not need to know where the fish were stocked. The answer to me is catch and release only in these types of ponds so as to let the kids learn and enjoy. The second thought is to not release info on release dates. Maybe having to drive to find out if the pond is stocked or not may deter some who just wait for the date and then fish it out as there own fish market.

What do other members think the solution is?

[lastlatvian]

I went to that pond a day after they reported stocking it (wasn't fishing but finished a hike in k country) and could not see a single fish. This pond is so clear and shallow I have my suspensions if it was even stocked. If it was then someone is catching 500 ish fish illegally.

[pikeman06]

Just chiming in from central alberta. She was a rough winter and pretty sure alot of our ponds winter killed. ..same thing here. If they stocked these ponds I usually fish there sure isn't much sign of life. On a nice mid July night like tonite after a rain the day before these ponds should look like a washing machine with rising trout. They don't.

[smitty9]

The problem isn't the information, the problem is lack of enforcement. The problem is that our province has 4M people and a distinct lack of fishing opportunities and water - when compared with other provinces.

As for Mount Lorette, I've heard this complaint for years. Gets fished out pretty quickly. My solution? Set aside poaching and enforcement issues for the moment, and do this:

Stock it multiple times in the summer. I've never been there, but I have heard it's a great kids pond and accessible to those with disabilities.

Mystery to me why they just don't stock it 3x a summer. Sounds like a great way to promote fishing to the public!

[Marty S]

Twenty five years ago they stocked waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy more fish.

Now, much increased population, and stocking 1/5 of the fish. Makes no sense, I believe it is the work of the C&R cult brainwashing the govt.

[CMichaud]

I thought I heard that the stocking program was reduced partially in response to whirling disease fears?

Having said this, the bite has been incredibly slow where I go for the last couple of weeks. I frequent three ponds and they are all the same.

I agree that some of the ponds did winter kill (saw the evidence at one of the ponds when the ice came off)

I C&R but see nothing wrong with people keeping the odd fish. I do think the limit should be reduced to one or two vs five a day. FWIW, I do not think I have ever seen a F&W presence at any of these ponds.

[wildbill]

Originally Posted by Marty S

Twenty five years ago they stocked waaaaaaaaaaayyyyyyy more fish.

Now, much increased population, and stocking 1/5 of the fish. Makes no sense, I believe it is the work of the C&R cult brainwashing the govt.

And........have you seen the influx of park wardens this year?
Off the charts!
They don’t seem to be overly sharp, but apparently we need them patrol all these new parks, gotta keep them city slickers happy ya know?
Shut down fisheries, more people fishin, less fish stocked, man we got some certifiable geniuses at the helm now, good lord!

[bobalong]

Originally Posted by Raptor

I think its time that F&W stop releasing dates and locations where they are stocking fish. Took a drive to Mount Lorette ponds today just to walk around, and not one fish was swimming around. its very sad to me. This used to be a great pond to bring my kids when they were little and let them experience catching a fish or two. Too many people have abused this pond in particular and even with two as a limit, it makes you wonder how this pond got cleaned out. As someone who has witnessed poaching and reported it, doesn't seem to matter.

I myself as an avid fisherman do not need to know where the fish were stocked. The answer to me is catch and release only in these types of ponds so as to let the kids learn and enjoy. The second thought is to not release info on release dates. Maybe having to drive to find out if the pond is stocked or not may deter some who just wait for the date and then fish it out as there own fish market.

What do other members think the solution is?

Leave put and take fisheries as they are. If the numbers of fish are down it is most likely a stocking/enforcement problem so put more time and dollars into those.

[ssyd]

Don't they just stock fingerlings? It's not that there's no fish left it's that they have to grow before you can catch them. I don't doubt that last years stock get fished out though. Like Marty said, population is increasing but stocking rates are decreasing.

[CNP]

Originally Posted by ssyd

Don't they just stock fingerlings? It's not that there's no fish left it's that they have to grow before you can catch them. I don't doubt that last years stock get fished out though. Like Marty said, population is increasing but stocking rates are decreasing.

No. A person should check stocking reports before making assumptions.

[smitty9]

Well, I never heard of some exclusive whitefish season in April at Pigeon (what you're implying?) The lake did use to be open to all species fishing during the spring, but again, that was common for many lakes.

Cow lake historically was a pike / perch lake. There are still perch there, from what I've heard. For awhile they did dump brood rainbows as well (too big for pike) but I don't think they do that anymore. But, before there were rainbows, it was pike and perch (I'm talking before the 1950"s).

Actually, a good portion of so-called "pothole" lakes that we count on for rainbow trout fishing weren't - contrary to common belief - "barren" before trout came along. More than a few - Cow and Hasse come to mind - were pike / perch fisheries. My understanding is that the bios in the 50's / 60's / 70's would wait for a severe winter kill and then stock trout. Rotenone was considered as well.

Most "infested" trout lakes are only infested with perch. Few have pike as well. It's not ideal by any stretch, but you can have a fishery with trout and perch. But it's not great by any means...

I agree with you about tags, some flexibility would be a good thing. Bios and CO's could adopt the view of tags per boat instead of per angler when in comes to the on-the-water experience.