As I was admiring the CAG calendar, I was reading through the month of February; the one with the ATC stuff on it and a couple of ugly dudes holding fish. lol

It mentioned that due to some efforts on some of of carp fishing brethren, LBL is now a trophy carp fishery. I remember when it happend and am thankful for it. (Tremendous success and all that)

My question is, how do we maintain it to be a trophy carp fishery? Should we be taking some of the smaller fish out of the lake? (not saying we should, just asking) I have a bunch of catfisherman that would love some trotline bait if that is the case. I would say something under 10 pounds?

What say you, oh carp fishing brethren?

While I do subscribe to the theory that fewer fish means larger fish, I don't believe that LBL is overpopulated (like Joe Pool). I believe that LBL is in the process of turning over it's Carp population after the floods of 2007(?). The fish that are there are generally younger fish than those we were dealing with before.

Also, I believe this past Summer did something crazy to the lake (lakes all over Texas for that matter), and it is taking them a while to get back into their patterns. Earlier in the season when I had a couple of trips down there, I blanked. I hadn't blanked down there in years. Also, I was with Al, and he blanked too. He's fished that lake more than anyone, and would be the last angler I'd expect to go fishless.

I would leave the lake as is, and would not start harvesting just yet. Let's see how things go over the next year or so. If we start catching a bunch of little fish, then we can look at harvesting, but in my opinion, they just need some time to grow.

I have the numbers from the last few ATC's, and can give you a little bit of data when I get to my computer.

Chad

Cool, thanks Chad. I completely understand what your saying and agree.

I would love to see a census. That would be cool.

Start a poll, Man:

1. Let 'em grow.
2. Yank the puppies out.

Lol

I agree with what you said...if we find that there are too many dinks, then take some out.

For now, let's see how things roll with the WCC and the ATc

pm sent ted about my thought since we cant post what id like to say....

Got it. I could be wrong, but I think that it is the only one that it is not allowed on.

If you would like to eat one...a 5 pounder makes some good eating!!

I've never caught a carp at LBL under 15 pounds, but there are probably some there.

im on the same page here. ive caught alot of fish from lbl and have seen alot of fish caught from lbl, but they're rarely under 15 or so...

Oh Dang, I forgot... ATC Numbers coming shortly...

iv got a few from there under 15. not alot.

The smallest i ever got was 9 lbs.

My numbers for 2011 are incomplete, so I guess we can look at what we have.

2008- 16 Teams. 133 Fish; 2811 Pounds; Average Fish- 21.14 Pounds. Fish per Angler- 4.16
2009- 17 Teams. 139 Fish; 2586 Pounds; Average Fish- 18.6 Pounds. Fish per Angler- 4.09
2010- 18 Teams. 139 Fish; 2270 Pounds; Average Fish- 16.33 Pounds. Fish per Angler- 3.86

For 2011, I do not have all of the counts, but we can look at what we do have.
2011- 81 Fish; 1665 Fish. Average Size- 20.56 Pounds

Looks like the number of fish has pretty much stayed the same,and Fish per Angler is also pretty close. But we look at total pounds and average fish and see a decline until last year. We can interpret the numbers whatever way we want, but what I see is that we have pretty much the same number of total fish, but they have been younger; considerably younger over 2009/2010, but are beginning a rebound.

I guess in about a month's time, we'll be able to see if the upwards trend continues,or if we have something to be concerned about. I really think the 2010 Average size was an anomaly, but looks like it could have been a real part of the downward trend.

I don't know- These numbers can hardly be considered a scientific look because of all of the inconsistencies (numbers of anglers, skill of anglers, weather, rains, chemicals from SXSW in the water, etc., but they are numbers from a consistent time of year, so there may be something to them in some respect.

Thoughts?

Chad

Through 2008-2010, there were 5 fish under 10# counted in the ATC. The smallest was a 5#12oz caught by one of the Canadian teams in 2008.

Chad

2007 did some crazy stuff to that lake., I am with chad I think we are seeing or have seen a new crop of younger fish...I just don't see the really old looking fish like we use to catch being caught anymore.

Environmental effects are probably playing a big part if fish are not reaching full maturity. Isn't LBL really a river or are there dams that separate sections? I only saw it passing by and from an old map. Fertilizer runoff is really bad for fish, especially carp. Carp like colder temps. Hence them being huge and old in countries over in Europe. There are different parameters that play a big part in their development. I'm used to deep cold lakes without much bottom vegetation. This is all new to me. I don't know about England though. I mainly fished Germany, Italy and Belgium.

its dammed at either end.

Most of the lake is about 20-28' deep. It is part of the Colorado River. It is also fed by Barton Springs. The lake stays a little cooler than others in Texas. Did you know that the first Fish Hatchery in Texas was a Carp Hatchery at Barton Springs in Austin? It's believed that LBL holds/has held decendants from that original strain of Choice German Carp.


Chad

Smallest I've caught was 10 lbs. Smallest I've seen and weighed was a 2 pounder that was in the WCC tourny last fall.

Sweet! German stuff all over Texas!!!

Ja!