Quote Originally Posted by 27458 View Post
5. As far as limits. Limits on my main lake used to none. Then l think went to 50 per person. Then 30. Now 15. At some point size and pole limits went into effect. So, say all you want about the lakes won't get hurt. I know better.
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"So, say all you want about the lakes won't get hurt. I know better."

Well said 27458! I fish primarily Sardis and Arkabutla. I strongly believe that I've seen both lakes hurt by over fishing (Butla in Summer/Fall of 2012 and Sardis in the Spring (spawns) of 2015-2017).

Sardis was pounded very hard in the Springs of 2015 thru 2017. We experienced days of catching 50 fish with only 3-4 keepers during the Summers of 2015 thru 2017. The high water Springs of 2018 thru 2020 made it hard for a lot of trollers (I am one) to catch limits during the spawn. Consequently, fishing pressure was lower during those spawns, and the summer/fall/winter fishing has been much better as the ratio of keepers to shorts has been much higher.

Butla was pounded hard during the low water summer of 2012 largely due to publicity on internet, I believe. MDWFP said the extreme low level of 207 that year also caused fish kills. It took several years for the lake to recover and even in 2020 the lake was not back to the fishing quality that we saw in years prior to 2012.

I know that some will disagree with my observations and that's fine, since we're all entitled to our own opinion.