Overpopulated lake?

[HawkeyeSmallie]

There's a very local lake that I fish, only around 20 acres.

 

I've fished it most of the summer either going after bass or big bluegills.

 

I can normally go out there and easily catch 10-15 bass. The problem is they probably average maybe 12". I've caught two 15 inchers this summer but that's it.

 

I've wondered if they were overpopulated.

 

Fast forward to a few days ago at another smallish lake (30 acres) and it's a night and day difference.

 

Second cast resulted in a 18.5" heavy bodied fish. At least 3.5 lbs. I also caught a really nice 16" fish. Third largest was just shy of my season's best at the other lake.

 

Needless to say, from now on I'm going to drive an extra 20 minutes for some bigger fish.

 

Anyways, doesn't it seem like it's overpopulated?

 

The sign at the boat ramp says anything under 15" has to be thrown back. I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist.

 

Anyone else run into something similar? Thoughts?

 

Thanks!

[WRB]

Ask your local DNR if they would electro shock survey the lake to know for sure the bass population.

Tom

[gim]

You didn't mention how often you've fished at this other lake that produced bigger fish, but if you haven't been there as often, then your sample size by comparison is skewed.  You need more outings at the same time of year compared to the other one for adequate comparison.

 

Each body of water only has enough resources for the amount of fish living there.  Its called carrying capacity.  Its more obvious in smaller bodies of water.  Bigger fish need more food.  This is why removing some smaller bass can help, as it frees up food for bigger ones.  Of course if the regulation doesn't allow, there's not much you can do.

 

This problem is glaringly obvious here with northern pike.  Tons of small, aggressive ones and very few bigger ones.

[AlabamaSpothunter]

The relative weight chart will give you your best view short of getting an electro shock study done.

 

Simply record each Bass's length and weight you catch, then see how their relative weight scores look.   If the fish are far below 100% relative weight, you'll have your answer that the fish aren't growing to full potential.   

The reason why that might be isn't always population density, but most times in a small pond it is, combined with a lack of forage base to support that population.  

[HawkeyeSmallie]

12 minutes ago, gimruis said:

You didn't mention how often you've fished at this other lake that produced bigger fish,

 

Just once.

14 minutes ago, WRB said:

Ask your local DNR if they would electro shock survey the lake to know for sure the bass population.

Tom

 

It's been surveyed once this year.

 

84% were 8-12"

16% were 12-15"

 

[WRB]

15 minutes ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Just once.

 

It's been surveyed once this year.

 

84% were 8-12"

16% were 12-15"

 

You already know the answer to your question.

Tom

[HawkeyeSmallie]

26 minutes ago, WRB said:

You already know the answer to your question.

Tom

 

Well not really.

 

I've fished on and off since I was kid with years off here and there. This year I've fished the most in over 20 years and largemouth are definitely new to me.

 

IF the lake is truly overpopulated which I assume it is. I still have the following question:

 

I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist.

 

 

[Tennessee Boy]

Who owns the lake?

 

If it has been surveyed and has posted limits then it is being managed.  The sign suggests that they do not think it’s over populated.  There are lots of explanations for the lack of big fish.   Maybe it was just stocked.   Maybe it needs more prey.  You can only hope that whoever is managing it knows what they are doing.  My guess is they are not looking for advice from the general public.

[HawkeyeSmallie]

27 minutes ago, Tennessee Boy said:

Who owns the lake?

 

If it has been surveyed and has posted limits then it is being managed.  The sign suggests that they do not think it’s over populated.  There are lots of explanations for the lack of big fish.   Maybe it was just stocked.   Maybe it needs more prey.  You can only hope that whoever is managing it knows what they are doing.  My guess is they are not looking for advice from the general public.

I believe it’s owned by the county.

 

The sign has been out there a long time.

 

It’s such a small lake I don’t think it’s high on the DNR’s list to manage.

[Bird]

I'd say it's overpopulated.

We have a lake that is immediate release on LMB and has been that way for years.

We catch nothing but 12" - 15" bass in abundance.

Many years ago they stocked this lake with Musky...... hasn't helped yet 

[Swamp Girl]

Someone needs to change the sign to this: "Please keep and eat five bass under 12". They are delicious!" 

[Bankbeater]

Maybe, maybe not.  You've said that this is a "very local lake".  Does that mean that it is just close to your place, or does that mean that the lake is open to the public and sees a lot of fishing pressure?

If it sees a lot of fishing pressure then the larger bass may have learned to spot a bait or technique and know to scram.  The smaller bass may not have figured out what a bait is yet.

[papajoe222]

I was lake director at my local club. When I took over, there was a 13in. Minimum. You guessed it, an abundance of fish under 13 in. And very few over. I instituted catch and release on all bass. Three years later the fish had grown, but now there was an imbalance of forage to bass. Now there is a three fish limit in bass 12in. and under. Six years later we were able to hold weekday night tournaments because the fish were now approaching 3lb. and above.  12 years later and you’re allowed one trophy fish a year, but they strongly suggest CPR. 

[WRB]

3 hours ago, HawkeyeSmallie said:

 

Well not really.

 

I've fished on and off since I was kid with years off here and there. This year I've fished the most in over 20 years and largemouth are definitely new to me.

 

IF the lake is truly overpopulated which I assume it is. I still have the following question:

 

I'm debating about talking with the conservation officer and/or the fisheries biologist.

 

 

Talk to whomever manages the lake. 
You are catching what bass size is in the lake making up the majority of the population.

You want larger size bass drive 20 minutes to the other lake that has them.

Tom

[Pat Brown]

I have fished places where there's lots of small fish but only big ones bite and places with lots of big fish where only small ones bite and there will be times of day/week/month/season/year where it switches and you catch some big fish in the pond where small ones bite and vice versa.

 

Fall is definitely a time where I find it's either a lot of small fish or a lot of big fish biting in a day.  On my lakes it almost seems like the small fish use optimum structure during less optimum feeding conditions and the big fish bide their time and optimize the structure during peak conditions only and during those windows they're the only bass eating in those key structure areas.  This of course can make it especially exciting/anxiety inducing in the fall when you lose a big one in the first couple minutes of the trip.  Every bite for the rest of the day carries with it a lot of expectations!

 

This isn't the case all year at all - but during the fall it really seems like a LOT of fish group up by size and move around.

 

As far as overpopulation - most bodies of water in the US are overpopulated and under culled.  Feel free to cull small fish and help your fisheries be their best.

[Pumpkin Lizard]

After many years of epic fishing, my personal childhood bass pond growing up inevitably became overpopulated with stunted bass. They were much smaller than 13 inches. You could throw a bare 1/0 hook into the water and catch 9 inch bass with ease.

 

Still a few broke through and grew large.  We fixed the problem by transplanting some Pike from the Housatonic which couldn’t reproduce. 

 

I would say there is not enough information here to answer your question.