Salmon outlook

[bbatch]

So far the salmon fishing has been spotty, but when you catch a fish it's a good one! We've boated 4 salmon, all between 3 and 3.5 lbs. No fish in the usual 2 - 2.5 lb range. There does appear to be a missing year class.

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by bbatch

So far the salmon fishing has been spotty, but when you catch a fish it's a good one! We've boated 4 salmon, all between 3 and 3.5 lbs. No fish in the usual 2 - 2.5 lb range. There does appear to be a missing year class.

The predominant salmon you are catching by a long shot is the 5 year old. The 5 year old, especially the males are big and beautiful! I have seen a few males caught in excess of 5 lbs! Lots of nice rainbows and lakers out there too!

Good luck!

Dan

[WINNI BOB]

Hi;
I have been fishing, snorkeling, and scuba diving the lake for over 55 years(all species). With that number of years, I have seen a lot of changes...most, not good ones. The rapid(last 5-6 years) down-turn of both the Smallmouth and the Salmon fishery is tragic. Believe me, I know my craft.

My preferred method of fishing is drifted, or "slow-trolled" smelt or shiners .

I have had days where me and a buddy have caught and released close to 25 Salmon in 4-5 hours. One day in Center Harbor we caught and released 28 Salmon. we could only use 1 rod each. We had 3 "double-headers". For the last 5 years, we average, only, 1-3 per day. This year we have fished almost every day, so far, we are averaging 1-2 day. The 2 Lakers that we caught were both "Grossly" misshaped. The tails were bent....they looked like snakes.

I used to get all my "crayfish", for Smallmouth bass bait, amongst the many shore-line rocks. Well, there are, almost no crayfish anymore. As a result, the bass fishery is, also, way off. This was their prime food. The size of the bass that are left, is much smaller, and far fewer than past years.

I am heart-broken. I was hoping to spend the rest of my life fishing the big lake, I no longer keep any fish, and have developed the quickest, and most effective methods to "safely" release all my fish. Yes, I use that 8" plastic red hook disgorger" for deeply hooked fish. It takes practice to use it, but I can release over 80% of caught fish with no bleeding or damage.

The pics, attached, were taken when the fishing was better.

[bbatch]

I've noticed the significant decline in crawfish as well. What do you think is the reason?

[barefootbay]

Originally Posted by bbatch

I've noticed the significant decline in crawfish as well. What do you think is the reason?

Plain and simple lake degradation !

[farechofisherman]

Winni Bob, spot on. I've been saying that for a few years now, on this and the winnifishing site. I caught my first fish on winni 60 years ago this spring. You nailed it, crayfish down, used to grab a dozen in the shoreline rocks in 30-40 minutes. Now I can't find ONE! Too many green lawns and septics are ruining the fishery. We used to C&R 25-30 salmon on a spring day. Now 2-3 and your doing well. Too many lake trout as well, seems to be way too many in my nets last 5-10 years, and now these rock bass. I don't have the answer, but I know guys like 308 and others seem to be taking an active role, which is fantastic, and I wish them well. Hopefully it will turn around!

[WINNI BOB]

Originally Posted by bbatch

I've noticed the significant decline in crawfish as well. What do you think is the reason?

Hi;

As some of the responders have, already, mentioned, I think that the "rock bass" explosion has contributed. It is known that they forage on new-born crayfish, newts, and other invertebrates. They have, unusually, large mouths, for their size, and can swallow even larger lake dwellers. They are awful "bait-stealers". When using crayfish or helgramites, it's costly when you lose a bait that cost you $ 1.00 ea.
No question, the pollution in the lake is awful. Horizontal visibility, underwater, used to be near 30-40' back 40-50 years ago. Today, you're lucky to be able to see 10' in front of you. In case you didn't know, the various beaches around the lake (including the Weirs, Gilford, etc) have been closed for the past several years due to coliform bacteria. Phytoplankton, also, adds to the poor water quality. Also, last year there were no lifeguards at any of the beaches. The kids that usually oversee the beaches don't even apply anymore, and they are offered $18/hr plus Free "life-saving" courses. Daily exposure at the beaches was causing them to break out with sores.

[Garcia]

As a kid we regularly caught yellow perch and smallmouth. Anytime we kept something to eat (usually for my grandmother), we put the head and guts in the crayfish trap and always caught enough for the next day's adventure. I don't think my kids have even seen a crayfish in the lake.

[SAB1]

Very interesting thread going here. Certainly some valid points. I've been fishing the lake for 50 years myself but in the past few years not much. To many guys and fewer decent fish kinda drove me out of it. Lot of things have changed for sure as illustrated above. Bass fishing is terrible now. Back in the 70's and 80's, 3 and 4 lb smallies were very common. Now that's a monster. But back in 70's 80's we didn't have bass tournaments. Yes crayfish were everywhere. Used to love hunting for them. Now we see none. I was always was a Salmon and Lake trout guy though. Nothing like it. But back in those days of the 70's and 80's there were a fraction of people and fraction of boats on the lake that there are now so things are going to change. Everyone trolled live bait, Fly's, Mooselooks or Chev Chase's. That pretty much all you found in AJ's back then. One thing not mentioned though is how we as fisherman also contribute to stress on the fishery. Back in "old days" most of us all fished in 12-16 ft starcraft rowboats with a 6-15 hsp motor trolling for endless hours with mono or leadcore. Now you see very few of these setups. Everyone is out there in nice 20-26ft cuddy cabins rigged up with fish finders, down riggers, planer boards lures in all shapes, colors, and sizes. Gps for the best trolling speeds and marking the hot spots. Man the fish don't have a chance! All good fun though. For me though, as in last weekend, for spring fishing I have reverted back to that starcraft!

[ishoot308]

Originally Posted by WINNI BOB

Hi;

As some of the responders have, already, mentioned, I think that the "rock bass" explosion has contributed. It is known that they forage on new-born crayfish, newts, and other invertebrates.

^^^^^^ THIS is why you don’t see crayfish any more. ^^^^^^^^^

Dan