If it did everyone on here would die thats what would happen world just came to a end.

I'm wondering if San Vicente will even open, what with the severe drought in California.....

I'd be in jail for trespassing, habitual offender!

Being a former San V guy, the lake was phenomenal when I lived out there until 1986. The biggest key to mist if not all of the Southern California lakes is the year round growing season and stocking of rainbow trout. Those fish out there are trained, they know exactly when the trout truck is backing up. When those trout come out of that truck, most are stunned and are now fair game. All San Diego lakes close at some point during the year unless they've changed it recently. The open at sunrise and close around 5-6pm. Another thing with the San Diego lakes, they are much smaller and deeper. Bill Murphy used to anchor up for hours upon hours soaking a live crawdad on a small hook and split shot. The man knew what he was doing for sure... Or guys like Mike Long with his swimbaits both are great anglers.

If any of the Texas lakes besides squaw creek would close for a few months, those fish would relax. If fork was to close just say 3 months, I'm sure the fishing would change.

This discussion highlights the experiment perfectly. If the lake fails to shell out big fish it'll be a very bold data point on the importance of stocking forage to grow big bass. If the lake does shell out giants it'll be a big data point indicating man has a big negative impact on fish growth rates. Personally I'm firmly in camp number two. If you let nature do it's thing it'll grow some monsters. Perry's fish didn't need trout stocking to get to it's size.

True.... But you're talking about one bass.

Look at the top 50 bass in the world. There's no close second place to Cali.

Bring on the transplanted fish and stock the forage if you ask me (nobody ever asks me).

We get this additional 3-4 inches of rain they are calling for this week and you may be able to test this theory at Ray Roberts sometime in October or so! I know the lake isn't COMPLETELY closed, but I bet it isn't seeing 5% of its typical pressure for this time of year.

Not always the case, remember bass will over populate a body of water. While ur numbers may rise, u might also do damage to the system by taking all the pressure off the bass. More competition for food, bait fish will not thrive, which to me is one of the bigger keys to growing big bass. Each lake is different.

Fayette County is a prime example, over populated with Bass, not too many grow over 8lbs. Course there is a lot of pressure on that 2200 acres. Introduced tilapia in hopes of growing bigger bass.

You take out tournament mortality, which for the most part is quality fish, it definitely helps the lake. Mexican lakes are the best example of this situation

What's the explanation for the giant caught in Japan where LMB are an invassive species and must be removed when caught?

I've read Bill Murphy's book 2 or 3 times, it would be amazing to go fish that lake

If it closed for a decade it would likely become over populated and full of small fish.

Bass fishing in Lake Biwa is not really what you would call awesome. Five fish bags of 10-12 lbs seem to be the norm. There are a few giants swimming around without much to bother them and plenty to chow down on. It's not the kind of scenerio that most would consider desirable. Fishing hard for a few bites and hoping to win the bass lottery. Not like the kind of fishing that we enjoy here, where it's normal to boat numbers of solid fish up to 10 lbs on a regular basis.

Thanks. I think I remember hearing something like that now when that giant was caught I think maybe the LMB eat some kind of high in protein carp. Maybe that's even what the fish was caught on.

How many folks would be willing to give up Fork for a year to experiment? Not like it'll happen but just a thought.