Rock Bass ??

[KrotzNH]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Oh yeah they're there.

We own a home in Moultonborough, and I have been fishing the lake for 5 years now. My target is usually bass and pickerel, but the number of rock bass I have been catching has grown exponentially each year. This season, I have literally caught more rock bass than all other fish combined - and I am using large lures that rock bass have no business biting! It is very concerning ....

[SteveO123]

Caught my first-ever rock bass (2 in a couple of minutes) here on Opechee the other day for the first time in 10 years. Coincidentally (?) the largemouth left after the milfoil was removed. Oh well-- Just have to deal with those red-eyed bass-turds now.

--Steve

[kawishiwi]

From. http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fish...rock-bass.html
"Conservation/Management: Rock bass are considered an invasive species that, once introduced, is capable of altering the food web in lake and pond ecosystems.

Recommendations:

Discourage the spread of rock bass through illegal introduction into new waterbodies. Once established, rock bass are virtually impossible to eradicate."

So until something starts feeding in earnest on the rock bass or rock bass fry it seems they are with us. As with any population theres a chance it will crash and maybe the bass can make a comeback. As it is I'ved moved my bass fishing to 30ft+ in midsummer. It appears to me, a winni novice, that there are smallmouth that have become more like the salmon feeding on the open water bait. Read some of the trip reports on fishlakewinni.com to hear how many smallies are being caught DEEP by the Salmon/Trout trollers.
Its tough fishing that deep to find bait/bass as they appear to relate only to the wandering bait clouds vs gathering on structure.