Cormrants

We have them blasted things up here to......

This is what I know about the government side of controlling birds like cormorants. Fish farmers and state and federal hatcheries can get depredarion permits to control them (keep them from eating their fish). Also some state agencies have gotten permits to thin out the populations but the rules and restrictions on these permits make it tough. Apparently someone has sued the United States Fish and Wildlife Service for not checking up enough on the permittees and making sure that they are complying with the strict regulations. We have been told that this will not affect us immediately buy after 30 days, when something in court happens, the people with these permits (at least government agencies) will not be able to defend their fish crops. I asked if these permits could be expanded to controlling them in lakes and I was told, not likely anytime soon.

I could thin a big herd out each year during duck season...

I noticed last year huge migrating flocks. I've watched waterfowl avidly since 1972 and have never seen this quantity of cormorants until the past 2 years. I'm not sure if there are more of them or their migrating habits have changed. Maybe they read crappie.com and find out where the good fishing is and migrate there.

Good friend of mine commercial fishes. Catches hundreds in his nets. Many as deep as 50ft.

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Originally Posted by blackfish

Good friend of mine commercial fishes. Catches hundreds in his nets. Many as deep as 50ft.

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In winter when I'm gill netting they make a mess in them , hard to get out .

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

In winter when I'm gill netting they make a mess in them , hard to get out .

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I hate that for you. But I hope they all get hung up in nets.

I drive over the River on the I430 bridge twice a day on weekdays and have noticed a dramatic increase in their numbers over the last several years. Some mornings I see several flights of thirty plus. the population could stand some thinning.

Chris

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

In winter when I'm gill netting they make a mess in them , hard to get out .

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Maybe you didnt let the net SOAK in the water long enough for them to get real limber....

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Originally Posted by NIMROD

Several lakes around the state have huge flocks (in the 100's) of Cormrants . They are eating fish and injuring them like crazy daily. Even Crappie well over a pound showing up with cuts from these birds . When are they going to be removed from protected statis ? Right now about 10% of bigger Crappie have injuries on them that I catch. I sent this to AGFC but maybe some biologists can address this . The numbers seem to increase every year . They can have an impact on fish numbers in my opinion .

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Horseshoe is full of em!