The Southern Region of the Division of Wildlife Resources went out and sampled DMAD and Gunnison Bend this week and I was fortunate enough to go along. Both lakes have plentiful and large crappie and white bass, largemouth bass, channel catfish, and yellow perch. There are apparently walleye in there as well but we did not sample them. The crappie should be easy to target after the water cools down a little bit. I am thinking about going back out in a couple weeks myself for a little crappie trip. It sounded to me like the anglers who fish these lakes have been unaware of what fish are really there and how to target them.
I would recommend a trip out there during the new moon next week if the weather cooperates.
Drew
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks for the update Drew. Those little ponds do seem to be largely underutilized by anglers from outside the immediate area. But, I can verify that there ARE lots of walleyes in there. A few guys had great success there this spring and postspawn. [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Question: How about Pruess (Garrison)? I have been trying to get out there for about 3 years...usually in May...but everytime I plan a trip the weather blows up. Has there been any DWR sampling or studies out there within the past few years? Anybody else open to launching an expedition to check it out?[/#0000ff]
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I don't think Pruess was on their list this year but I will ask about it and see what they know.
Drew
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[cool][#0000ff]Thanks.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Let me know when you are headed for DMAD and I will tag along for some immoral support.[/#0000ff]
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Where are these lakes located? I'm always interested in fishing some new Largie waters.
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[cool][#0000ff]Both are small impoundments on the Sevier River, near Delta, downstream from Yuba...after the river goes through Leamington Canyon...another good fishing zone.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Limited launching...especially at low water. But every species of fish that has ever been in Yuba can be found in those waters...plus some BIG white bass.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Here are some quicky maps. You can get more detail on the roads, etc. with the map book from Benchmark Maps...or online.[/#0000ff]
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Drew,
What size largemouth were found in the samplings? Does the largemouth population seem abundant?
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That is hard to say. The two methods of sampling used were gill nets and trap nets. These two methods really target fish that are on the move. Largemouth bass don't move much so I can't really say. We did sample one nice largemouth that was about 16 inches and at least one young bass from this year. That we caught a largemouth at all using these techniques is promising. Electrofishing will be more telling as far as the bass fishery.
I have heard from anglers that it does produce some nice largemouth.
Drew
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Hey Drew,
What did yall consider a large crappie? I'm not trying to start a fight or sound like a jerk but I've talked to some who think a 10 inch crappie is a slab...
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The largest crappie I have ever caught was 16.5 inches but I consider 12 inches a nice crappie and anything over 12 I consider exceptional. Every year I make a trip up to Brownlee Reservoir during the new moon in June. This is a large main stem Snake River Reservoir and has a huge population of crappie. The crappie go through a 5 year cycle and at the top of the cycle you will catch 14-15 inch crappie with a 16 thrown in every now and then. There is no limit on the crappie in this reservoir and never has been. I believe the only fish that have a limit in Brownlee are the black bass. The DWR in Oregon and Idaho have recognized that many of the fish species in Brownlee are unmanageable and need harvested in large numbers to minimize the effects of the cycles.
That might have been to much info......
Drew
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Hey Drew,
You weren't saying too much. You were letting me know your perspective on crappie size. I agree with your perspective. A 12 inch crappie is great! You can get nice fillets off of that for sure. The biggest crappie I have ever seen was an 18 incher that my older sister caught in Texas when we were teenagers. That particular lake is known as a great crappie lake but even an 18 incher there is not common. If you were seeing consistent 12 inch crappie (and larger) at DMAD...well, that is pretty dang awesome in my book! Thanks!
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[quote wagdog]If you were seeing consistent 12 inch crappie (and larger) ...well, that is pretty dang awesome in my book![/quote]
Amen brother![cool]
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