Restocking allatoona

[rwalton]

I Think we shoud ask DNR to help us with a restocking effert with certain types of bass which are lacking in Allatoona lake. I propose that on one of our big tournaments such as the Spring fling or fall bash. DNR give each boat a bag of yearling Largemouth and spotted bass to insert into the area of our choosing during the tournament. That way their not all emptied into the same area and have a better chance of survival.

[Fletcher]

Good Luck with that. They will only say that it is cheaper to buy Hybrid, White, and Striper Bass. They don't give about the LM or SM Bass in Allatoona. That would cost them to much of their hard earned money.

[rwalton]

They earn it from us bass fisherman that fish tournaments and buy their fishing lic. most of the money that enters the DNR are from licences. The deal is in my book is spread the money out between everyones needs..And if they want to go cheaper It would be cheaper for me not to have to buy a fishing and hunting licence every year but we all know that can't happen. Then you get a big ticket your fishing equipment and boat taken so they can sell it and build a better lake for those freaking pleasure boaters...

[leapnlineman]

Jan 14, 2011 4:07:04 GMT -1 Fletcher said:

Good Luck with that. They will only say that it is cheaper to buy Hybrid, White, and Striper Bass. They don't give about the LM or SM Bass in Allatoona. That would cost them to much of their hard earned money.

Fletcher first off you need to get your facts straight.

1) They do not buy the hybrid and striper fingerlings they release into the lake they raise them from roe.

2) There are no smallmouth in Allatoona.

3) It was Jim Hakala (DNR Biologist) and Terrell Stoves (USACOE) that came to Mike to develope the Tree Cutting Program on Lake Allatoona to help the largemouth and spotted bass population.
So I would say that they do care, perhaps even more than us fishermen who just reap any rewards of their efforts on our behalf. This program came about due to the efforts and conclusions from #4 below.

4) Jim Hakala (with the DNR) and several other DNR officers have spent many days electroshocking the lake to gather information on the population of both largemouth and spotted bass over the past several years to try and find a solution to the problem with their population. So there is money being spent to study the problem. I myself have read a rather lenghty report that Jim generated from the results of this electroshocking which was used as a basis to promote the Tree Cutting Program.

5) Its really not a matter of money, its a matter of the lake being a flood control lake and its close proximity to a major city (fishing pressure) that makes it hard to have a superior largemouth and spotted bass fishery at Allatoona.

I don't mean to demean you but I have been more than just a casual bystander when it comes to the problem facing the "Green Fish" in Allatoona. And both Mike, myself, the other moderators and most importantly many, many members of this forum have played a vital and important role in improving the habitat of both the largemouth and spotted bass of Allatoona. I would feel amiss if I did not try to correct you and futher educate others who have the same misconceptions about our local DNR and USCOE representatives whom I have had the pleasure of working with and am proud to call my friends.

[IceAAA]

Well said Ray. Where might one get Jim's report you mentioned. I do like reading his shock reports and wish we got to see more from him. Thanks.

Andy

[rwalton]

wow did think i would cause all of this... I was just an idea guys...

[leapnlineman]

Andy you can find that report here:

allatoonabass.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dnr&action=display&thread=3605

[Mike Bucca]

Like Ray has alluded I and many many others have been involved with the DNR and COE to help our lake. The problem is along with what Ray stated is there is no deep cover. I have had side imaging working on 7 years now I can tell you there is minimal cover out deep on Toona. Without cover the fish are constantly moving. When fish constantly move they stay lean vs sitting on the sofa to fatten up (gain weight). I have caught some nice spots on Toona that if they came from Carters or Lanier they would have had a legit shot at the state record. The offshore timber is part of the reason why Carters and Lanier fish are so fat. Our fish have to move to feed hence long and fairly skinny. While carters and Lanier which have offshore timber they can sit in the timber and just wait for baitfish to swim by. Thats another reason why it's difficult to pattern fish on toona but thats another topic for another day. That along with the heavy pressure being in the proximity of Atlanta which also involves sub topics of people keeping trophy or sub trophy sized fish (By toona standards), poor handling (notice alot of the fish you catch have mouth scars or no mouth at all due to angler pressure) etc etc. We don't have a fish numbers problem which even a previous GON article Allatoona ranked #1 in the STATE in numbers of fish per hour if memory serves me right.

So if we have lots of fish we need to manage/slot those numbers some how not throw more numbers at it and add even more misfits to the equation. Jim had a meeting a year or so ago about the findings and also had a survey that we had an opportunity to fill out as well as ask questions and many of us from here attended.

The problem with slots is what may be good for the lake may not be good for the local economy say nothing about passing the restrictions through the legislature. If you slot a lake it's quite possible tournaments will be restricted or even excluded (not stating a fact here but just listing possibilities). When you restrict tournaments you have a effect on local business. Tackle shops, gas, hotels, restaurants, etc etc. Then another problem with slots is you have to KEEP a certain lenght of fish for the slot to work. In other words you have to reverse the catch and release mentality which is always a tough sell.

I am sure the DNR is hurting in this economy just like every other business is. When govt needs to cut spending I'm fairly certain DNR is at the top of the list to cut spending as it's not important in the grand scheme of things then the DNR has to prioritize as well.

On another note we don't have a Bass Hatchery in the state of GA. I'm uncertain what the status is of the one in Warner Robins but it's supposed to be a bass hatchery (not sure if it's operable as a bass hatchery just yet)??

In defense of the DNR and COE they have been VERY accommodating to the anglers in many respects. Most I agree with and some I don't and most of it's not their fault as they are multitasking to the kilt. They have allowed us to cut over 2000 trees to help with putting cover back into our lake which I hope impacts the lake positively somehow and this also helps with shoreline erosion issues that we have. We have full reign of dropping another 1000 trees when we can get at them which we need to start back up here soon. They have also placed xmas trees in several areas as well and have replaced them every year for the past 2 or 3 years now. Fish tagging study which is still under review albeit slow (prolly due to budget cuts).

Having said that I do understand your frustration and nobody wants more bigger fish on Toona than me. I guess my point is don't expect a Guntersville, Lanier or Carters out of Toona. We were handicapped from the get go when the lake was built and clear cutted.. Can it be better than what is now? I have been told that it could be and still remain optimistic that it will. I'm not biologist but having talked to many of the state fisheries biologist as well as private sector biologist here in Georgia as well as Texas that's the basis of the situation that I have concluded to. It's my recommendation to anyone that wants to make a difference in our lake. Join us for some tree cutting in the future. It's a great way to help our lake and not to mention relieve some stress and meet some new friends as well.

Mike

[ProMo]

Mike and Ray are right on the Money with their statements, i learned a few years back when i spoke before i knew the facts concerning our boat ramps. I started fishing Allatoona in 1990 on a regular bases and was frustrated with seeing the Lake pulled down 17+ feet below full pool and just couldn't beleive what i was seeing, but true Pros such as Mike Bucca who have to earn a living in this industry know the facts. Keep in mind that our lake is only 11,600 acres and from what i see-some awesome sacks of fish come out of this lake and is very impressive considering how much it gets pounded year around. The first year is fished Allatoona in 1990 there was hardly any cover on the lake, now thanks to a lot of people working very hard the fishing is better then in that decade.

[IceAAA]

Jan 14, 2011 14:09:47 GMT -1 leapnlineman said:

Andy you can find that report here:

allatoonabass.proboards.com/index.cgi?board=dnr&action=display&thread=3605

Great doc that explains much and makes alot of sense! Thanks.

[Fletcher]

I think you guys miss understood what I was wanting to say, and maybe I should have added that I know that there are a lot of people out there helping to make Allatoona a better a better lake. Is what I was wanting to say is that they are only stocking Hybrids, Stripers, and White Bass. I can not understand why (IMO) they would continue stocking these fish and Not at least rotate them out with LM, and Spotted Bass. IMO Striper, and White bass are the problem and are the reason the natural indigenous fish of the Toona are in danger of being harmed. And I also understand the whole over fishing witch is why the the restocking of the indigenous fish is as important and the tree cutting.
I'm sorry for the miss understanding and I hope I was able to explain better how I feel about it. I was not trying to down the efforts of the DNR or the COE. I just believe that over stocking any other fish is not the answer either. I have heard that the DNR or maybe COE stated that it was cheaper to buy Stripers, Hybrids, and White Bass, than it was to buy LM and/or Spotted Bass. The fact that they stock more of one and NONE of the other is one of problems that I see needing to be fixed and yes I focused only on that because that is the only problem that is not being worked on.

This is My Own Opinion and I know that Not everyone here is going to be fine with that.

[rwalton]

lol iceAAA