Restocking

It was said the big 4 get stocked as needed with our fishing pressure. Here is a list I got from the state. Looks like crappie were stocked once, 9 years ago.

Arkabutla:
Flatheads - 2009
Largemouth bass - 2013, 1988, and 1973

Enid:
Flatheads in 2012
Walleye – throughout the 1970s and early 1980s
White Bass – 1970, 1971

White crappie - 2008

Grenada:
Bluegill and Redear - late 1990s and early 2000s
Flathead catfish - 1995, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2012

Florida Bass – 1975, 1988, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1994, 1995, 1997

Largemouth bass – 1973, 1977, 1986, 2013

Striped bass – 1970s – mid 1980s
Hybrid striped bass – 1977, 1984, 1987


Sardis:
Striped bass – 70-mid 80s
Hybrids – 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987

What happened to the walleye in Enid? Did they not do well in the warm climate? And thank you for the info.

That could be the solution to a bad spawning year. Just restock or just do it to replace the heavy fishing pressure of the last years. They could raise license fees if needed to pay for it. I don't think many fisherman would complain but I could be wrong. I would pay more to be able to catch more and have more fun, even though I catch and release mostly.

Seems to me Mother Nature does a pretty good job of restocking our lakes. Can't remember in 40 years when we didn't have up years and down years on these lakes. Yet we still go out and catch fish. Let the game and fish guys take care of it. Restocking is for places that can't reproduce enough to keep up. So far the big four are keeping up pretty good.


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Think that was cane's point delta, there is no need to restock these lakes. One lake that needed a boost in 75 years, I think that's good news. Like slabin says often, the biggest restocking needed on these lake is habitat created by the fishermen for the fish to continue to thrive.

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Originally Posted by Snubbys

What happened to the walleye in Enid? Did they not do well in the warm climate? And thank you for the info.

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They all went home in deep freezers with the Yankees

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Originally Posted by slabin

They all went home in deep freezers with the Yankees

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:Rofl

Ya done some good digging there, Cane. Thanks for the info.

I wish we had a public forum with the game and fish personnel more often. Biologists especially. I know they are an understaffed and a busy bunch, but I do believe that they could clear the air, and with a few facts, they could resolve some of the disagreements in the fishing community. I also think that the lakes are healthy and just each in a different part of their natural cycle. I wouldn't mind a bump in fees just to see more thorough enforcement of the current regs.


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Another thing to take away from this is: where are the best crappie in those four lakes inch for inch??? It's not Enid and that is where fish were introduced that maybe weren't native to that water. Enid holds the state record for one of them and Butla the other so apparently at one point the fish and Enid were just as good as the others. I never fished Enid till 2010 and the numbers of shorts was enormous but I think what they did worked. Enid has been very good these last 2 years and don't see it changing in the near future judging by the classes of fish we have been catching.

I'm not as old as most u guys but I've seen a stripe or walleye on the big 4. I started crappie fishing in 97 and Enid was slam full of fish. We mainly jigged the under water brush piles in 5 to 6 fow. We could sit there on one brush pile and catch 20 fish. There are times I remember catching 50 plus keepers off of one brush pile. The fish were small in length but healthy. Back then you could keep 30 fish 10 inches or better. You didn't have to measure the fish. We didn't even have a ruler in the boat back then. Times have changed, I haven't caught 10 plus fish off a brush pile in a long time. The fish are bigger now though. Before I started my older friends tell me the lake had some really big crappie. I think the guide curve and the loss of structure really hurt Enid until they moved to the 12 inch size. Who knows, I'm no biologist

Meant to say have not seen a stripe or walleye

Dee made the commit about the big 4 getting restocked as needed in a closed forum. I contacted MDWFP with the question, What lakes of the the big 4 have been restocked, what kind of fish and dates.
I guess I'm old enough to remember there was no limit, 100, 50 limits long before the 10" 30 creel limit. 500 to 200 to 100 hooks per boat to this new rule we have now.
I remember my dad standing in chest deep water at the Sardis spillway catching crappie when the water was low. Now they throw yellow tape up if it gets 3/4 that depth.
Nader spillway use to have some big stones, big enough for a small family reunion. We picked our stone and fished all day. Left with a #4 wash tub full of crappie. Back then no one sold ice except the railroad ice house which was closed on weekends.
At Enid, Long branch bridge. We tested the waters to find that 12' was ideal. After working on the barn at mom's place my son and I would stop at the Long Branch store for minnows. Get to the bridge and slide the boat in. Paddle out to the 4th piling, a rope from front to rear of the boat was centered on the piling bolts. Bait the hook, place rod tip where you wanted it while holding minnow. Drop minnow and watch the float. Just at the point of the float standing it would go under. We would leave when the minnows ran out or the 5 gallon bucket was full.

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Originally Posted by canebreaker

Dee made the commit about the big 4 getting restocked as needed in a closed forum. I contacted MDWFP with the question, What lakes of the the big 4 have been restocked, what kind of fish and dates.
I guess I'm old enough to remember there was no limit, 100, 50 limits long before the 10" 30 creel limit. 500 to 200 to 100 hooks per boat to this new rule we have now.
I remember my dad standing in chest deep water at the Sardis spillway catching crappie when the water was low. Now they throw yellow tape up if it gets 3/4 that depth.
Nader spillway use to have some big stones, big enough for a small family reunion. We picked our stone and fished all day. Left with a #4 wash tub full of crappie. Back then no one sold ice except the railroad ice house which was closed on weekends.
At Enid, Long branch bridge. We tested the waters to find that 12' was ideal. After working on the barn at mom's place my son and I would stop at the Long Branch store for minnows. Get to the bridge and slide the boat in. Paddle out to the 4th piling, a rope from front to rear of the boat was centered on the piling bolts. Bait the hook, place rod tip where you wanted it while holding minnow. Drop minnow and watch the float. Just at the point of the float standing it would go under. We would leave when the minnows ran out or the 5 gallon bucket was full.

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I was sure told that years ago when I took my son through the fish hatchery up there.

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Originally Posted by Rees Guide

It's not Enid and that is where fish were introduced that maybe weren't native to that water.

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I've always been curious about this. After the flood lakes were created did they have to stock crappie in the lakes? Or are these giant MS crappie remnants from an old genetic line of fish that were already in the rivers to begin with before the rivers were dammed and the valleys flooded?

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Originally Posted by Snubbys

I've always been curious about this. After the flood lakes were created did they have to stock crappie in the lakes? Or are these giant MS crappie remnants from an old genetic line of fish that were already in the rivers to begin with before the rivers were dammed and the valleys flooded?

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I would say the fish in the lakes were native to those waters. My father in law fished Turkey Creek and Scuna River before there was a lake and talked often about how good the fishing was. Keep in mind these rivers in Grenada had ferries at one point and sometimes some cargo traffic. In the delta all the rivers were used for cargo traffic, one bridge in Greenwood actually turned to get out of the way. Landfish Bridge over at Charleston was built very high to accomodate the traffic. It was a different world then, the flood control (much needed) changed a good bit.

Kind of my thoughts to John, my fishing partner and I have had conversations about this. We would talk about the old days before the lakes were made, I envision a bunch of folks catching 4lb crappie from the banks and not thinking a thing in the world about it, besides it being dinner. I remember in elementary school in Grenada we took a field trip to the Grenada Lake Visitor Center and they showed a film of Grenada lake being dammed, I have searched for that video, but cannot find it, guess I need to go back up there and watch it again. I do not recall them talking about the fish much, but then again I think I was only like 8 or so..

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Originally Posted by bird down

I'm not as old as most u guys but I've seen a stripe or walleye on the big 4. I started crappie fishing in 97 and Enid was slam full of fish. We mainly jigged the under water brush piles in 5 to 6 fow. We could sit there on one brush pile and catch 20 fish. There are times I remember catching 50 plus keepers off of one brush pile. The fish were small in length but healthy. Back then you could keep 30 fish 10 inches or better. You didn't have to measure the fish. We didn't even have a ruler in the boat back then. Times have changed, I haven't caught 10 plus fish off a brush pile in a long time. The fish are bigger now though. Before I started my older friends tell me the lake had some really big crappie. I think the guide curve and the loss of structure really hurt Enid until they moved to the 12 inch size. Who knows, I'm no biologist

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(think the guide curve and the loss of structure really hurt Enid until they moved to the 12 inch size. Who knows, I'm no biologist.)
BD, I think this statement hits the nail on the head for all 4 of our lakes. But especially Enid and Sardis.

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Originally Posted by Snubbys

. I do not recall them talking about the fish much, but then again I think I was only like 8 or so..

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They had TV's back then????


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Yes sir, bigguns took two fulled growed men to budge a 20" television back then in the 80's :Rofl :Rofl

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Originally Posted by Snubbys

Kind of my thoughts to John, my fishing partner and I have had conversations about this. We would talk about the old days before the lakes were made, I envision a bunch of folks catching 4lb crappie from the banks and not thinking a thing in the world about it, besides it being dinner. I remember in elementary school in Grenada we took a field trip to the Grenada Lake Visitor Center and they showed a film of Grenada lake being dammed, I have searched for that video, but cannot find it, guess I need to go back up there and watch it again. I do not recall them talking about the fish much, but then again I think I was only like 8 or so..

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I do know the old timers fished with a different pole than we do today fishing for crappie. Picked out a 10 or 12 foot cane pole, stick as they could find and then cut a foot or so off them, put a nylon string on it, a big float and a 2/0 hook with the biggest minner they could find. They weren't fishing for no dink!!!!

I wonder if the Lakes put a locked box of some sorts at their entrances just for the collecting of money/or even people's change for the use of restocking that lake would people contribute to this cause. When the Game Wardens check the lake and if the lake didn't need to be restocked it could go toward placing fish habitat each year. I know I would not mind chunking a dollar or two toward helping my lake every now and then and I know other true to the sport fishermen would also. You would be surprised how much a dollar or two from fishermen could add up and help.:twocents

I just have to say that I love hearing those old stories. Before they passed, I used to sit and listen to my dad and grandad tell stories like those for hours on end. I was just fascinated.


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Dad used a 4/0 hook, said you'd miss bites with smaller hooks. Now you can't use over a #2 hook in some places.

I would rather see the winter pool raised 5' at all the big four. I think that would do more quicker for the fish population and not alter genetics.

Five feet more at winter pool would translate to 5' more in the spring. The low water this spring amplifies the catch. Five feet more would have made a big difference.

My grandpa has told me stories of how they used trot lines to catch tons of crappie at Grenada but back then the lake would hold water almost to Calhoun City. Had to be better for the fishing with all that cover in the back waters. Haven't seen it get that that in a long time!


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In 1954 we fished from a home made houseboat. I was 9 years old. We would go from the main landing (nader) up to the Yalobusha towards Choctaw. There was timner everywhere. We would tie up to a tree and set there and fish. We all sat on the roof in folding chairs, 4 or 5 folks, and used minnows. We caught a lot of fish lifting them all the way out of the water to the roof with a cane pole. Dropped a lot of fish and broke a lot of poles too. Most all the trees still had leaves on em. Didn't see folks trolling, they were all tied up to something.

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Originally Posted by Boatbottom

I would rather see the winter pool raised 5' at all the big four. I think that would do more quicker for the fish population and not alter genetics.

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That's not going to happen like I have said time and time again build habitat I don't care how young or old you are it's are job as fisherman heck I have even got cray out in the cold and wet this year and he's a old goat. The problem is its the trollers against the single pole guys or single pole guys against the trollers when we can figure out that we all benefit from each other things will work out alot better. How many fish has a trollers caught that was spawned on a stake bed the numbers would blow your mind I'm sure. Some folks think if they build beds that someone else will benefit I look at it like this the fish benefit from it way more then we can and that's the goal.

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Originally Posted by slabin

That's not going to happen like I have said time and time again build habitat I don't care how young or old you are it's are job as fisherman heck I have even got cray out in the cold and wet this year and he's a old goat. The problem is its the trollers against the single pole guys or single pole guys against the trollers when we can figure out that we all benefit from each other things will work out alot better. How many fish has a trollers caught that was spawned on a stake bed the numbers would blow your mind I'm sure. Some folks think if they build beds that someone else will benefit I look at it like this the fish benefit from it way more then we can and that's the goal.

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I agree on the structure argument. I could care less if you take one or 20 poles to the lake, the fish need habitat to spawn in. Ive seen the oxbow lakes lose more and more structure each year due to floods and it has definitely hurt populations and catch rates. I would be willing to come help out on habitat days now that I am fishing these lakes more. Whoever has the info, shoot me a PM and i will give you my number, I would be glad to give a little back to these lakes.

Back to the restocking subject. I think these fish replenish themselves well, but restocking may result in overstocking if we have down numbers followed by a bumper crop spawn. Adjust the limit to protect the fish as I think game and fish has done and done well to make these lake the fishery they are now. Yes, its not the days of old, but what is anymore. We have more people fishing now, and more people traveling to fish, and I dont see this changing.

Love hearing the old stories about these lakes, wish we could go back in time to see what it looked like when they were first constructed.

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Originally Posted by slabin

That's not going to happen like I have said time and time again build habitat I don't care how young or old you are it's are job as fisherman heck I have even got cray out in the cold and wet this year and he's a old goat. The problem is its the trollers against the single pole guys or single pole guys against the trollers when we can figure out that we all benefit from each other things will work out alot better. How many fish has a trollers caught that was spawned on a stake bed the numbers would blow your mind I'm sure. Some folks think if they build beds that someone else will benefit I look at it like this the fish benefit from it way more then we can and that's the goal.

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Agree that the chances are very slim but with the right approach maybe a chance. I would ask the winter pool be raised 5' on only one of the big 4 each year. The other 3 would stay the same. That way the flood control goals would be minimally effected and each lake could catch its' breathe once every four years. The corp cares about flood control and if they deemed this plan within their goals, who knows.

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Originally Posted by Boatbottom

Agree that the chances are very slim but with the right approach maybe a chance. I would ask the winter pool be raised 5' on only one of the big 4 each year. The other 3 would stay the same. That way the flood control goals would be minimally effected and each lake could catch its' breathe once every four years. The corp cares about flood control and if they deemed this plan within their goals, who knows.

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Can't happen, when Grenada was going over the E spillway by 7 feet that would be 12 feet and the damage would have been devastating to the city of Grenada. The years it has gone over the E sliway they never reached winter pool, if they had it may not have went over

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Originally Posted by MO' MONEY

I agree on the structure argument. I could care less if you take one or 20 poles to the lake, the fish need habitat to spawn in. Ive seen the oxbow lakes lose more and more structure each year due to floods and it has definitely hurt populations and catch rates. I would be willing to come help out on habitat days now that I am fishing these lakes more. Whoever has the info, shoot me a PM and i will give you my number, I would be glad to give a little back to these lakes.

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WE can do some planning. The lakes are filling so most material will have to be dropped. Collect material, what we can where we can. Call a work day and see who can show up. Call the COE lake office to see what material they have that can be used.
I have a truck load of bamboo tops, 8 to 14' tall I guess. Lot more where I got it and the guy wants it all gone.

Look as far as habitat every spring go to any bank on the lakes where the wind has washed up driftwood and beaver cuts. Grab a Arm full walk out a few feet make some structure very easy. Just show up with your waders. ive lost count of beds I've put out. Been fishing Sardis Enid and Grenada been putting stuff in all 3. I enjoy it. #1 feels great to give back. #2 feels great to catch fish off what I've put out. #3 feels great to see thousands of hatches of fish holding in those beds avoiding predators in open water. Concern I have is those white pelicans does anybody know if there protected I would love to take those out. They can eat some fish. There numbers are growing

Yes the pelicans are protected under the migratory bird treaty.. I haven't been seeing a lot of those the last couple of weeks. Have seen a lot of gulls though (as usual) and some type of fish hawk last Saturday afternoon while camping. Interesting birds for sure, large wingspan and brown colored. A group of 4 or 5 were wearing the dinks out in a cove, after my exploits with the shorts recently I was actually routing them on.. Lol. Besides they was only fishing with two talons..

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Originally Posted by Snubbys

Yes the pelicans are protected under the migratory bird treaty.. I haven't been seeing a lot of those the last couple of weeks. Have seen a lot of gulls though (as usual) and some type of fish hawk last Saturday afternoon while camping. Interesting birds for sure, large wingspan and brown colored. A group of 4 or 5 were wearing the dinks out in a cove, after my exploits with the shorts recently I was actually routing them on.. Lol. Besides they was only fishing with two talons..

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Then you haven't been in shallow water, watched a group of 20 or 30 of them herd bait fish in a corner the other afternoon wear them out, they are eating machine!!

Yes I've seen them in action, they can put down some fish. Seems imminent doom is at every turn now. Got out of staters, guides, trollers, single polers, trotliners, yo yo guy's threatining our fish and now we getting it from the daggum bird's too.. just don't do a body good to set foot outside the house anymore these days.... Lol

You left out the boat ramp sitters.

Bahahaha has, I think of all those pesky things y'all just mentioned, the boat ramp sitters and boat dock sitters grind my gears more than any mentioned.

As as far as the genetics on these lakes, that could be the case. Here in MO we have a COE flood control lake, Wappappello. My family has had a cabin on it since the 60's. Dad has told me stories of "the old days" when my grandpa and his fishing buddy would go out with a laundry basket to put fish in and that they would catch some serious slabs, 20" plus. Dad said they never batted an eye when they was filleting them, they just seen it as another meal. Nowadays your lucky to catch a limit of 11" fish. And if you do you culled 300 shorts. Y'all have a good thing going that's for sure!