Quote Originally Posted by kyjohn View Post
While fishing main lake ledges on Ky Lake this summer I've seen unbelievable numbers of bighead especially when the water is calm! I don't think there is any doubt that the ugly monsters are affecting our fish populations, but I can't help but wonder: Wiskers pointed out above that back in the 60's & 70's it was nothing to "CATCH AND KEEP 100+ BIG CRAPPIE A DAY." Ya think that could possibly have had anything to do with a drop in populations? Just my worth.
Absolutely John. It did have an impact. The saving grace with the lower lakes was the back water. Every year when the water got up it somewhat replenished the the lower lakes with river fish. There weren't near the fishermen back then that there are today either. But... In all my yrs of fishing those lakes I have never seen the fish as poor as they have been the last few times I went. Oh sure they bite good. But it's because their starved.

I'm just trying to convey the urgency of the problem. KDFW has to walk a fine line between calling attention to the problem & scaring off tourism.
I don't.

We can look all over the world and see examples of how Invasive species have devastated the local eco systems. Australia is a prime example. The fresh water Crocs are dieing off by the thousands due to feeding on the poisonous Cane Toad. Feral hogs are destroying the land. Constrictors are taking over our Everglades.

This is a serious problem that has the potential to ruin Ky & Barkley lakes or game fish.