Currently Medina lake is 69.58 feet low and will be over 70 feet low by next week. With San Antonio Water System pulling with the Spigget wide 0pen and irrigation rights for the farmers, it apperas this lake will be a puddle by next year. We could get some rain but it will take flood a of historic amounts in the town of Medina and Bandera to get water back in it. I guess you can say the out look is not very good to this little lake. Here is my question and I dont mean to sound dumb here but I am just thinking out load about the fish population in there. Does anyone know or maybe someone who knows someone with the State who may know if there are any fish reloacation programs that maybe with time could be organized to save some of the fish and transport them to another lake. It really is sad watching this lake die right before my eyes.

Yes, it is a huge shame. This lake goes through wide swings in level anyway. I guess I just don't understand why they want to kill it. They really need to build an irrigation lake south of town and only tap Medina in dire need.
I sure would hate to be a property owner on the lake paying "water front" tax rates.
I'm not sure of the logistics of moving fish but I don't think it would be practical due to the possibility of disease transfer. Looking at what was released through stocking there should be quite a few fish in there.
I would like to fish it one more time before it dies. I only live 12 minutes away from Red's but I'm not sure I could get my new boat back out and up the hill.

I do understand the purpose of these impoundments and fishing is only a by-product. Not the reason they are built. What I will never understand is when they keep sucking it down past a critical level. The forgone conclusion is it's going to be dry anyway and then the water will no longer be pumped. Just wish the water commissions would "give up" a little earlier and leave a little behind...kind of a brood pond for for when it does get some water. Someone needs to find an "endangered" species nesting on the shores. I think I saw a Spotted Condor Owl nesting there! PITA, The Humane Society...They could do something!

This is a great question! As I know it, it is illegal to transplant fish to other locations, however if the TP&W or other state agencies wont get involved...what else can be done?

It's a wonder how Texas Fishing keeps its premier fishing recognition. Maybe we could get BPS and Cabela's to team up on this idea?

Yes it is Mr. Holding. I think there are some good fish still in there but I have never fished it and may not at this point.

I went about 5 weeks ago and caught 5 in the 13 to 15 inch fish, I know this past summer when it was 56 to 60 low I was able to fish with a jig n spoon since the fish where really starting to suspend then. never really fished that way for bass. I know lakes like Spence went dry and I guess all those fish where lost. I guess seeing such a resource we all care about I guess could just rot is just very sad to me. Kind of hard to believe that this lake once held the state record. well hopefully something positive will happen and a lot of this will work its self out.

As San Antonio develops new sources of water Medina will see less pressure. SAWS is looking for a 10% raise in rates to do just that. It will take 5 to 10 years to develop these resources. Hopefully they will include irrigation.
Using surface water is very inefficient. Something like 80% of the water released from Medina for irrigation never makes it to the fields.
While Medina was built for irrigation times change.
I wonder what the economic impact is when a lake is no longer able to support recreation?

I know I would not have any problem helping on what ever it is we could do to save some of these fish anyway. I will call TP&W and get there intial thoughts on relocation of some of these fish if in fact this lake does go dry.

I know San Antonio is going to be building a plant that treats bsalt water that is actually below the aquifer but I think that is 5 years and hopefully it works due to the cost of this project. I know San Antonio is one of the fastest growing cities and the need for water will only increase. It is why I said a long time ago that the city and the county along with surronding counties need to build a massive lake south of town fed by both the San Antiono and the Medina River.

never the less that is just wishful thinking.

I know most may have this link but for those who dont, its a pretty good tool to keep up with the lake levels in Texas

http://waterdatafortexas.org/reservoirs/statewide

it is hard to believe that this lake held the record caught Jan 6th 1943 13lb 5ozs and held it until 1980. Just a shame.

Use to be some good fish in there....maybe some day it will come back!