Higher water temperatures = Higher mortality. That is a fact.

So which is it? Privately funded or partially privately funded? Have we been misled all these years when we have been told it is not funded by the State?

CA....10 or more 20+lb fish

TX...none at or above 20 lbs.

trout are the key.

warmer climate = longer growing season.

So which is it? Privately funded or partially privately funded? Have we been misled all these years when we have been told it is not funded by the State?

I'm late to the party on this one. I have posed the question of what role does genetics play in growing big bass with many of the brightest minds in private lake fisheries management. And almost without fail, the conclusion is food chain is by FAR the most important factor to growing big bass. In fact, allowing your bass to grow up with their forage bass (new lake) is best. As Chris said, lakes peak at about year 10. Habitat, harvest, and genetics all play a role. Nobody knows for sure, how much genetics plays in the entire process, but common sense and science tells us that you spawn a superior female and a superior male, your more likely to grow superior offspring.

Having said food chain (water quality, forage) plays the most significant role in growing big bass, I do think superior genetics might give a fish an extra small percentage. To me, the debate is really what percentage that is. In other words, given SAL fish or other known or beleived to be known superior genetic fish vs a pure florida bass. If we gave these two fish identical circumstances; what percent larger would the superior genetic fish be as compared to a pure florida fish. The inherent challenge is creating the ideal environment. There are dozens of factors that come into play in addition to food chain. Some of those are harvest, predators (commorants, otters ect...) dissolved oxygen kills or events, other genetics entering the lake from downstream or upstream lakes, water fertility etc..

I am embarrased to tell write how much time I have spent talking and writing about this issue, with friends, biologist, and others in fisheries management world.

BTW, I read the posts on this subject and floored by the knowledge of this subject by some of you. Ken, Chris, and Dr JL; Your knowledge of the subject is outstanding and thanks for sharing this with the group.

www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/lunker_largemouth.html

One of the very best, concise pieces ever written about what it takes to grow big bass. And by a man who knows what he is talking about.

We all know that lakes cycle. Relatively stable lakes like Fork not as much as the wildly fluctuating, such as Falcon. It becomes a new lake with new habitat about every 10 or so years. Fork and other stable reservoirs pretty much peak in productivity around their 10th years. From there, habitat and water quality decline.

Most of the giant fish caught at Fork and in the Top 50 were first stockings of pure Floridas at their respective lake's peaks.

The SAL program is more about genetic engineering than anything. It takes many, many years to develop lineage on the best producers so that they may be used to produce a fish that is genetically superior to the norm.

Deer breeders are a prime example. Used to be, breeders grew lots of 150-175" deer with a few 200's. Through line breeding and maintenance of records on their herds, breeders got better and better at identifying both males and females that were top producers. Now days, there are 300" deer all over the state of Texas in breeding pens. I know of a couple over 400 and one over 500. Genetic engineering at it's best.

SAL is somewhat geared toward the same thing. Only they have far fewer specimens to work with than deer breeders so, naturally, its going to take longer to get there. And I believe SAL's primary goal is more bass that will grow larger faster to replenish constantly declining genetics in Texas lakes. Not necessarily large numbers of 15+'s as they are simply freaks and it would take new lakes to accomplish. That's why new water bodies like Naconchie have the potential to break the state record years down the road, if they are taken care of.