Quote Originally Posted by sailfish1 View Post
my question to pop is , when would the 2 weeks be, the only problem i see with this is if you set a 2 week period, the air temps may drop to 30 during this time, or the lake levels bottom out or due to flooding go over the sea walls and the fishing will drop off and the people will come in after the time slot and catch them any ways . and would you set the time when the fish are in the coves getting ready to go in, or would you set it earlier when they catch a bunch off the main river ledges. just my thoughts.
Yes, timing would be important. Currently, Alabama Power is supose to hold the water level steady on Weiss Lake for 2 weeks, at the peak of annual spawn, determined by their fisheries biologist and/ or State fisheries biologist; wheather it is done correctly or not - I don't know. Therefore, the annual 1 or 2 week time for my proposed catch and release would be set on short notice each year to co-inside with their chosen dates. Local Chamber of Commerce, Motels, Guides, Radio, and local newspapers would have to work together to get the word out on short notice. We could also place signs at all ramps. Not a perfect solution, but at least an effort.

One other possible idea is to install " NO FISHING - Restricted Area " bouys in the backs of several spawning coves and move them around every couple of years.
I have seen these on Kentucky Lake, close to Mansard's Resort. I don't know if they have produced good results or not ? Just another idea. Does anyone one know much about the " Restricted Area " bouys. The ones I saw had dates ( such as Restricted Area - No Motorcraft - April thru. May ) or something like this ?
The bouys may be intended to keep jet skies and wave runners out of spawning coves during the spawn ?
Maybe some of our Kentucky Lake members can educate us on the bouys ?