09-03-2013, 09:41 PM
[quote chugg]I feel that way because the stocking of those other fish is once and done at newton. They do not stock anything but tigers in newton after initial stocking is done. I guess I'm just a bass guy. I noticed a steady decline in my catch rates over the last 4 years. Not only numbers but size as well. Very few fish over 2lbs and more small fish.[/quote]
I would argue that this is a result of too many perch, bluegill, and crappie. I would argue that bass populations decline and fish growth declined as the perch, crappie, and bluegill numbers climbed. Perch, bluegill, and crappie will all prey on young of the year bass and compete with yearling bass for food. As a result, you get too many mouths fighting over the same food base. The tiger musky, in my opinion, will only help that situation out...even if they are preying on larger bass. And, if you stop stocking musky, this cycle will happen much quicker and with much worse results.
[signature]
I would argue that this is a result of too many perch, bluegill, and crappie. I would argue that bass populations decline and fish growth declined as the perch, crappie, and bluegill numbers climbed. Perch, bluegill, and crappie will all prey on young of the year bass and compete with yearling bass for food. As a result, you get too many mouths fighting over the same food base. The tiger musky, in my opinion, will only help that situation out...even if they are preying on larger bass. And, if you stop stocking musky, this cycle will happen much quicker and with much worse results.
[signature]