Bassmaster Magazine recently named Toledo Bend Reservoir the "Best Bass Lake" in the nation for the second year in a row.
This is the first time a fishery has held Bassmaster's number one spot for more than one year.
Since 2012, the magazine has published the annual 100 best bass lakes in the country; Toledo Bend Reservoir has placed within the top 15 every year.
The Toledo Bend Lake Association provides replicas to sportsmen who land bass 10 pounds or larger and release the fish back into the lake alive. Replicas are awarded every June.
In 2015, the fishery produced 81 verified fish over 10 pounds. During the 2016 lunker year, running from June 2015 through May 2016, the number of replicas awarded nearly doubled to 139 double-digit bass.
Toledo Bend Lake straddles the Louisiana and Texas border, and lake management is the responsibility of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries and Texas Parks and Wildlife Department.
These agencies, in addition to various local organizations, have released more than 28 million Florida-strain largemouth fingerlings into the reservoir.
source: Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries
Showing posts with label bass. Show all posts
Showing posts with label bass. Show all posts
Sunday, August 14, 2016
Wednesday, December 9, 2015
Lake Mattamuskeet Fish Habitat
A wide range of habitat enhancement, fisheries research, and other projects on Lake Mattamuskeet could improve fishing on the lake for largemouth bass and other species.
A multi-year habitat enhancement project on Lake Mattamuskeet is set to begin in 2016. Partners in the project include the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and UNC-Chapel Hill researchers.
The research project will focus on maintaining submerged aquatic vegetation in the east basin of the lake and examining the potential to increase coverage of aquatic vegetation in the west basin.
Previously, the N.C Wildlife Commission conducted annual electrofishing and trap netting surveys in the main lake and surrounding canals to describe abundance, size, condition, and growth of largemouth bass, black crappie, and other sportfish.
A tagging program evaluated adult largemouth bass movement within and between lake and canal habitats.
Lake Mattamuskeet was stocked with 45,000 largemouth bass fingerlings in 2014 and 70,000 in 2015 as part of a multi-year largemouth bass enhancement study.
Numerous angler surveys found that blue crab, channel catfish, black crappie, white perch, and largemouth bass were the top five species targeted.
Fisheries management plans for 2016 include an additional stocking of 50,000 largemouth bass fingerlings as well as the implementation of a largemouth bass movement project to track the movements of individual adult fish as they move in and out the canals.
Located within Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mattamuskeet is North Carolina’s largest natural lake (40,100 acres). Lake Mattamuskeet fish include both freshwater and estuarine species because of the drainage canals that connect the lake to Pamlico Sound.
source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
A multi-year habitat enhancement project on Lake Mattamuskeet is set to begin in 2016. Partners in the project include the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, and UNC-Chapel Hill researchers.
The research project will focus on maintaining submerged aquatic vegetation in the east basin of the lake and examining the potential to increase coverage of aquatic vegetation in the west basin.
Previously, the N.C Wildlife Commission conducted annual electrofishing and trap netting surveys in the main lake and surrounding canals to describe abundance, size, condition, and growth of largemouth bass, black crappie, and other sportfish.
A tagging program evaluated adult largemouth bass movement within and between lake and canal habitats.
Lake Mattamuskeet was stocked with 45,000 largemouth bass fingerlings in 2014 and 70,000 in 2015 as part of a multi-year largemouth bass enhancement study.
Numerous angler surveys found that blue crab, channel catfish, black crappie, white perch, and largemouth bass were the top five species targeted.
Fisheries management plans for 2016 include an additional stocking of 50,000 largemouth bass fingerlings as well as the implementation of a largemouth bass movement project to track the movements of individual adult fish as they move in and out the canals.
Located within Mattamuskeet National Wildlife Refuge, Lake Mattamuskeet is North Carolina’s largest natural lake (40,100 acres). Lake Mattamuskeet fish include both freshwater and estuarine species because of the drainage canals that connect the lake to Pamlico Sound.
source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Monday, October 21, 2013
Delaware Largemouth Bass Stocking
Approximately 4,700 largemouth bass fingerlings were stocked in Records Pond near Laurel, Delaware during 2013. DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife undertook the stocking project to help restore the pond’s largemouth bass population.
In the fall of 2012, an unknown number of largemouth bass were washed downstream when the water level was lowered to protect the pond dam in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.
Spring surveys of the pond found low numbers of largemouth bass, so the Division of Fish and Wildlife is requesting that anglers practice catch-and-release through 2014 to allow the population time to re-establish.
Bluegill and golden shiners were stocked last fall in an effort to boost the pond’s fish community and provide forage for predatory fish such as bass and crappie.
source: Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
In the fall of 2012, an unknown number of largemouth bass were washed downstream when the water level was lowered to protect the pond dam in preparation for Hurricane Sandy.
Spring surveys of the pond found low numbers of largemouth bass, so the Division of Fish and Wildlife is requesting that anglers practice catch-and-release through 2014 to allow the population time to re-establish.
Bluegill and golden shiners were stocked last fall in an effort to boost the pond’s fish community and provide forage for predatory fish such as bass and crappie.
source: Delaware DNREC Division of Fish and Wildlife
Thursday, July 4, 2013
North Carolina "Keep Bass Alive" Cards
The North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission recently announced the availability of a “Keeping Bass Alive” card, suitable for downloading and printing. The new document provides tips for both recreational and tournament anglers.
The card can be downloaded at: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/News/documents/Keep_Bass_Alive_Card.pdf
More information on keeping bass alive, including the B.A.S.S.-produced publication, “Keeping Bass Alive: A Guidebook for Tournament Bass Anglers and Organizers,” is available on the Commission’s website, www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.
source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
The card can be downloaded at: http://www.ncwildlife.org/Portals/0/News/documents/Keep_Bass_Alive_Card.pdf
More information on keeping bass alive, including the B.A.S.S.-produced publication, “Keeping Bass Alive: A Guidebook for Tournament Bass Anglers and Organizers,” is available on the Commission’s website, www.ncwildlife.org/fishing.
source: North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Largemouth Bass vs. Smallmouth Bass
Two types of black bass are often caught by North American anglers. Among the most popular freshwater fish in North America, the largemouth bass and smallmouth bass look similar but have considerably different lifestyles.
Largemouth Bass Facts
Adult largemouth weigh up to 20 pounds and can live up to 15 years.
The native range of largemouth bass is the largest of all black bass species. They have been widely introduced beyond historical limits and are now found in most of the USA.
Largemouth bass are most abundant in shallow, weedy lakes. They are also found in farm ponds, mill ponds, and other small bodies of water.
Largemouth also live in tidal rivers and creeks and can tolerate brackish water more than some other freshwater species.
Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) is a serious problem in some lakes and reservoirs. Outbreaks of the disease in an impoundment often reduce bass populations significantly.
Other names for the species include large mouth, bucket mouth, green bass, black bass, river bass.
Smallmouth Bass Facts
Smallmouth bass weigh as much as 6 pounds. They have been known to live as long as 15 years, although fish over 7 years of age are considered uncommon.
Smallmouth bass are found in clear, cool lakes, rivers, and streams. They prefer large lakes over 100 acres in size and deeper than 30 feet rather than shallow ponds.
Smallmouth bass feed primarily on crayfish and small fish. As adults grow larger, crayfish and small fish make up an even larger part of their diet.
Bass in lakes tend to be more abundant and faster growing than those living in rivers and streams. Individuals in warmer, southern reservoirs tend to grow faster, but have shorter lifespans than fish from cooler lakes and streams.
In flowing streams, smallmouth tend to be found in deep pools and around rocks. In some streams, adults may occupy a specific pool for the entire warm season.
Smallmouth bass have been introduced into several northern lakes outside their historical range. In northern lakes, the introduction of non-native smallmouth bass has had negative impacts on native species including, brook trout, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, and other fish.
Members of this species are known to seek shade in warm weather and also move into deeper, cooler water during summer.
Largemouth Bass Facts
 |
| Largemouth Bass |
Adult largemouth weigh up to 20 pounds and can live up to 15 years.
The native range of largemouth bass is the largest of all black bass species. They have been widely introduced beyond historical limits and are now found in most of the USA.
Largemouth bass are most abundant in shallow, weedy lakes. They are also found in farm ponds, mill ponds, and other small bodies of water.
Largemouth also live in tidal rivers and creeks and can tolerate brackish water more than some other freshwater species.
Largemouth bass virus (LMBV) is a serious problem in some lakes and reservoirs. Outbreaks of the disease in an impoundment often reduce bass populations significantly.
Other names for the species include large mouth, bucket mouth, green bass, black bass, river bass.
Smallmouth Bass Facts
 |
| Smallmouth Bass |
Smallmouth bass weigh as much as 6 pounds. They have been known to live as long as 15 years, although fish over 7 years of age are considered uncommon.
Smallmouth bass are found in clear, cool lakes, rivers, and streams. They prefer large lakes over 100 acres in size and deeper than 30 feet rather than shallow ponds.
Smallmouth bass feed primarily on crayfish and small fish. As adults grow larger, crayfish and small fish make up an even larger part of their diet.
Bass in lakes tend to be more abundant and faster growing than those living in rivers and streams. Individuals in warmer, southern reservoirs tend to grow faster, but have shorter lifespans than fish from cooler lakes and streams.
In flowing streams, smallmouth tend to be found in deep pools and around rocks. In some streams, adults may occupy a specific pool for the entire warm season.
Smallmouth bass have been introduced into several northern lakes outside their historical range. In northern lakes, the introduction of non-native smallmouth bass has had negative impacts on native species including, brook trout, rainbow trout, Atlantic salmon, and other fish.
Members of this species are known to seek shade in warm weather and also move into deeper, cooler water during summer.
In some areas, smallmouth bass populations are threatened by invasive Alabama bass.
Sunday, August 14, 2011
How Old Do Largemouth Bass Get?
According to a Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Fisheries Biologist, a local angler may have caught and released the oldest largemouth bass in Montana. The bass might also be one of the oldest surviving largemouth bass in North America.
10-year old Garrett Frost of Kalispell caught and released a tagged largemouth bass in Rose Creek Slough on July 16, 2011. The fish was estimated to be 20-22 inches in length and weigh approximately 3.5 lbs.
Prior to releasing the fish, the angler spotted a tag on the fish and recovered it. Fishery Worker Jon Cavigli checked the database and found that the bass had carried this floy tag for 14 years.
According to Garret’s father, Tyler, the bass appeared to be in good condition, and weighed 3-1/2 pounds on his scale.
According to the tag information, the bass was caught and tagged by Phil Rivard in Fennon Slough on October 3, 1997. At that time the fish was 14.2” long and weighed 1.5 lbs.
Based on the size of the largemouth bass in 1997 and the age-growth database, Deleray estimates that the fish was probably 5 years old when tagged. Adding that age with how long the tag was in the fish places its age at 19 years old. This may be the oldest confirmed largemouth bass reported in Montana.
Most sources place the maximum age at 15 or 16 for largemouth bass in the northern United States. Deleray is contacting other fisheries biologists, and, so far, has not found any records of largemouth bass as old as the Rose Creek Slough bass.
Largemouth bass in Montana are at the northern edge of their range. Fish tend to grow slower and live longer in the cold waters found in Montana and other northern states.
source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Fisheries
10-year old Garrett Frost of Kalispell caught and released a tagged largemouth bass in Rose Creek Slough on July 16, 2011. The fish was estimated to be 20-22 inches in length and weigh approximately 3.5 lbs.
Prior to releasing the fish, the angler spotted a tag on the fish and recovered it. Fishery Worker Jon Cavigli checked the database and found that the bass had carried this floy tag for 14 years.
According to Garret’s father, Tyler, the bass appeared to be in good condition, and weighed 3-1/2 pounds on his scale.
According to the tag information, the bass was caught and tagged by Phil Rivard in Fennon Slough on October 3, 1997. At that time the fish was 14.2” long and weighed 1.5 lbs.
Based on the size of the largemouth bass in 1997 and the age-growth database, Deleray estimates that the fish was probably 5 years old when tagged. Adding that age with how long the tag was in the fish places its age at 19 years old. This may be the oldest confirmed largemouth bass reported in Montana.
Most sources place the maximum age at 15 or 16 for largemouth bass in the northern United States. Deleray is contacting other fisheries biologists, and, so far, has not found any records of largemouth bass as old as the Rose Creek Slough bass.
Largemouth bass in Montana are at the northern edge of their range. Fish tend to grow slower and live longer in the cold waters found in Montana and other northern states.
source: Montana Fish, Wildlife & Parks Fisheries
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Spring Bass Fishing Techniques
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| spring largemouth bass |
In parts of North America, bass adapt their feeding patterns in spring, as forage species become available. In some habitats, fish species migrate into spring habitats almost overnight, causing bass to follow.
In spawning areas, bass may eat the spawning species, or feed on minnows or other fish that arrive to feast on fish eggs. Bass in these areas are in ambush mode, and will attack small spinnerbaits, jigs, soft plastics, or other lures that imitate minnows and other small fish.
Bass can act strangely during the spring. For example, bass are sometimes seen very close to the water's edge, preying on sunfish, crayfish and other species that hide among shoreline vegetation, tree branches or other obstructions. These fish can be targeted with senko type worms, top water plugs or other shallow water lures.
In shallow areas bordered by drop offs, lily pads (spadderdock) begin to appear and bass quickly begin patrolling these areas. As lily pad beds expand, micro-communities thrive. The lily pad community food chain begins tiny insects and invertebrates, followed by minnows, sunfish, perch, frogs and other forage species. As the season progresses these areas become important feeding areas for largemouth and other bass species.
Fishing these areas requires weedless lures which imitate natural inhabitants. Good choices for fishing around lily pads include senko worms, texas worm rigs, buzz baits, soft plastic frogs and weedless spoons.
Wednesday, March 16, 2011
What Kinds of Freshwater Fish Can Be Caught During Spring?
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| Bluegill Sunfish |
Among the best known fish to be caught during the spring are fish that make early season spawning migrations. These include species such as yellow perch, American shad, river herring, and others.
Yellow perch are found throughout much of North America. These hardy fish are actually caught all winter, even in the coldest weather. As the waters warm in spring, yellow perch move up rivers and creeks to spawn. During these migrations, they can sometimes be caught in large numbers.
Unlike perch, that reside in lakes, rivers or brackish estuaries for most of the year, herring and shad are fish of the open ocean. Adults make annual migrations from saltwater, up tidal rivers, ultimately reaching freshwater creeks and streams.
Although herring and shad populations are greatly reduced from historical highs, catch and release fisheries still exist in most coastal states. Shad are highly sought after by anglers during their spring migrations.
Chain pickerel are best known as cold weather fish. These ruthless predators increase their feeding sprees in spring, often startling unwary anglers. They eagerly take lures intended for largemouth bass and do not hesitate to attack panfish that are being brought in by anglers.
Although largemouth bass are generally associated with warm weather, they are actually quite active in early spring. These gluttonous fish can be caught as soon as water temperatures begin to rise, often being found in the same locations where summer catches occur.
In early spring, black crappie begin to alter their behavior. Freshwater crappie seek out traditional spawning areas within their lakes or ponds, while coastal river fish may travel some distance to special creeks or other nursery areas.
Another member of the sunfish family that is known as a springtime catch is the bluegill, or bream sunfish. These colorful panfish bite well as soon as insects and invertebrates start to become active near farm ponds, lake edges or other near shore habitats.
Chain pickerel are best known as cold weather fish. These ruthless predators increase their feeding sprees in spring, often startling unwary anglers. They eagerly take lures intended for largemouth bass and do not hesitate to attack panfish that are being brought in by anglers.
Although largemouth bass are generally associated with warm weather, they are actually quite active in early spring. These gluttonous fish can be caught as soon as water temperatures begin to rise, often being found in the same locations where summer catches occur.
In early spring, black crappie begin to alter their behavior. Freshwater crappie seek out traditional spawning areas within their lakes or ponds, while coastal river fish may travel some distance to special creeks or other nursery areas.
Another member of the sunfish family that is known as a springtime catch is the bluegill, or bream sunfish. These colorful panfish bite well as soon as insects and invertebrates start to become active near farm ponds, lake edges or other near shore habitats.
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Spinnerbait Techniques For Catching Panfish
Spinnerbaits are excellent lures for catching bass, crappie, bream, yellow perch and other freshwater fish, especially during cool weather when fish are sluggish.
Most panfish spinnerbaits use a special metal arm and jig combination. One end of the arm is equipped with a swivel and a silver or gold blade. The other end of the arm is equipped with a snap for connecting to the jig.
These simple designs have several advantages:
- Their modular construction allows anglers to easily change soft plastic lure bodies or jig heads.
- Most models can be purchased with or without a jig.
- Simple spinnerbaits catch a wide range of species, including largemouth bass, black crappie, bream sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel.
- Anglers can choose from a variety of soft plastic bodies, marabou jigs or add bait strips.
- Due to their design, spinnerbaits are less likely to get hung up on limbs or other underwater obstructions.
- Spinnerbaits can be worked very slowly, allowing sluggish fish time to react.
- Pulsating spinner blades create pressure waves as well as bright flashes which attract fish in murky water.
Most panfish spinnerbaits use a special metal arm and jig combination. One end of the arm is equipped with a swivel and a silver or gold blade. The other end of the arm is equipped with a snap for connecting to the jig.
These simple designs have several advantages:
- Their modular construction allows anglers to easily change soft plastic lure bodies or jig heads.
- Most models can be purchased with or without a jig.
- Simple spinnerbaits catch a wide range of species, including largemouth bass, black crappie, bream sunfish, rock bass, yellow perch, and chain pickerel.
- Anglers can choose from a variety of soft plastic bodies, marabou jigs or add bait strips.
- Due to their design, spinnerbaits are less likely to get hung up on limbs or other underwater obstructions.
- Spinnerbaits can be worked very slowly, allowing sluggish fish time to react.
- Pulsating spinner blades create pressure waves as well as bright flashes which attract fish in murky water.
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