Spoke to Pa Fish & Boat Area 6 Biologist at Reading Show

[Eli]

He believes the Bass population in Marsh Creek is very healthy.  He said it is common cycle that there are years when it will be not as good as others.  He believes the population is mostly affected by weather during the Spawn and post Spawn.  While tournaments, Meat fisherman and general pressure do impact the lake, he believes that if there is a good population of Bass, as Marsh Creek has, than a good spawn will refill the lake.  He noted that too many Bass can also impact the growth of bass in the lake. 

We discussed Bruce's idea of a "slot limit".  He said that while Marsh does have a good population over 15", especially since the 15" minimum was placed, their surveys never found a large population over 17". 

I said that maybe it would be better off with a 15" maximum instead of a minimum.

He did state that the summer, July & August, when the water heats up are the most sensitive and recommended concidering paper tournaments if they are possible, or careful livewell management.

He did sound upbeat on the health of Marsh Creek.

[bassboogieman]

Thanks Eli, good info.  I still think a slot would allow for larger bass in Marsh Creek, but I am certainly no biologist.  It seems finding many bass exceeding 17" - 18" has been a problem for me.  And hopefully it's not because of "meat" fishermen keeping bass.  I haven't heard of too many fishermen keeping meat, those guys usually are after the crappie and perch. 

[Eli]

He also said that Muskies are overrated as predators.  Does not believe they will have a material impact on the Bass or panfish populations.

[bassboogieman]

I find it very hard to believe Muskies are Vegatarians................... :undecided:

[docirv]

Omnivores,,,,,

[Pillager]

I find it very hard to believe Muskies are Vegatarians................... :undecided:

Overrated does not equal Vegetarians last I checked the dictionary...

[bassboogieman]

Well wisenheimer, it also continues that they will not have an impact on the bass or panfish population.  So if they are not eating them, what is making them grow so large so fast?  It isn't Vienna sausages............................ or hydrilla.  :rolleyes:
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[Eli]

No one said they were not eating them.  Just that they don't eat enough to damage the population.

[SebSkie]

Hello guys,

Glad Eli got some good knowledge from the fish biologist. Yes Muskies will eat Bass, but like I always said they won't eat anymore bass then a bass would.  There have been plenty of studies showing that Muskies prefer soft rayed preys (etc. perch, sucker, chubs) but like a bass, if there preferred food item is not present they will eat what is available. As we all know that March Creek has an awesome population of perch. Here is an study of a muskies diet http://www.mi50.com/docs/diets.pdf.

Also what people don't realize is that there have been muskies stocked in MC since the early 80's... they have been there the entire time and we still have had some awesome years of Bass fishing. I know most people will argue that there has always been tiger muskies and not pure breed. What most people don't understand that studies have shown that we do not have the right variables in order for the pure breeds to reproduce naturally. They did a study of all of PA and only found in northwest PA that they have reproduced naturally. Also Tiger grow faster, but live a shorter life span. Pures will grow slower, but bigger in the long run since they tend to live longer.

What really upsets me is some bass guy's mentality that "all the muskies eat my bass, so if I catch a muskie I will kill it."  As a muskie angler now, this upsets me since I would never kill a bass or any fish intentionally. As proof, we caught a 6lb smallie out of MC and it was quickly released after a few photos. If you really call yourself an angler, you should respect all fish, not just the one you target.

I just hope people learn the facts before they start assuming facts that are not true.

Thanks,
Sebastian

[docirv]

Yup, Seb is right on that we should all practice catch and release with all species of fish except for the snake head. It is imperative that we all honor each other's preferred species if we are to continue to improve the great past time of fishing.

[bassboogieman]

There is nothing wrong with someone keeping a fish to consume, and that includes bass.

[SebSkie]

I agree there is no problem keeping a fish here and there if it is intended to consume. What i have a problem with is someone killing a fish just because they think they eat all the bass....

[dan61psu]

I met a few tards doing that with Pickerel in my favorite lake to fish up near State College I used to shore-fish on...Lake Colyer.

They literal caught em and chucked em on the bank and laughed about it.