Thread: Weiss Lake - What needs to be done to make it better ?

Here is the answer.


People need to start releasing more fish back into the lake.

It seems tons of people go to the lake and keep as many fish as possible, they do that here on KY Lake also.

I live by Kentucky Lake, and I fish on KY Lake probably 40 to 60 days each spring, and summer.


I catch tons of keeper Crappie, however I release probably 99% of them back into the water.

If more people did this, Americas lakes would become much better.imo

I agree with Kentucky release more fish when you have enough for a few good dinners.I see a lot folks keep more then they should , when your fishing 5 to 6 days a week it adds up.I also see a lot folks around the bridges same people every time.
I used to make my Grandad mad when I would release a female Crappie busting with eggs lol it's alright to release a big female maybe one out of every two you catch.

Alabama Striped Bass Stocked Lakes.


Striped bass grow to gigantic sizes. Alabama’s state record stands at 55 pounds, while the world rod and reel record is 78 pounds. Striped bass can feed on large gizzard shad, which few other predators utilize efficiently. Competition with other important sport fish, such as largemouth bass and crappie, is limited. Recent research by the Alabama Division of Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries indicates stripers feed almost exclusively on shad and live primarily in open waters.

A diet study of 442 Weiss Lake striped bass indicated less than one percent of the stripers’ stomachs had remains of sport fish. States such as South Carolina, Tennessee, Florida, Arkansas, Virginia and Oklahoma have conducted studies with similar results and concluded that sport fish are not a primary food item of striped bass.

I don't think stripers are the problem (tho I don't like them), they don't tend to use the same habitat as Crappie, but you will hook 1 every now & then, mostly when long-lining, pulling, trolling. I think the largest problem is over fishing, keeping short fish & over limits. Crappie are a renewable resource, just have to manage them.

I may have missed it, but something I have not seen mentioned here is the fact that state law says that it is illegal to transport more than one days creel limit past the state line. I know that some people from out of state take more fish than that home with them. I know that if this was strickly enforced that a lot of people would not come to Weiss and spend their money which would hurt the local business people. I would hate to see that happen because I have several friends that own business in the area. When we talk about enforcing the laws on the books we must think about them all. I do agree that we need more enforcement of the laws we already have to help our present situation.

how about make Godfrey off limits for 2 months march and april, post a few signs post a fine, great breeding ground.And maybe a few others around the lake. Weiss will make everyone happy just like it is. It won't kill people to stay away from a few spots for the good of the lake. There will be some that will voice there dislike, but it might help.

Originally Posted by Kentucky Lake

Here is the answer.


People need to start releasing more fish back into the lake.

It seems tons of people go to the lake and keep as many fish as possible, they do that here on KY Lake also.

I live by Kentucky Lake, and I fish on KY Lake probably 40 to 60 days each spring, and summer.


I catch tons of keeper Crappie, however I release probably 99% of them back into the water.

If more people did this, Americas lakes would become much better.imo

I agree, and it seems that most of us agree that we need to reduce the number of fish being removed from the lake in one way or another. We have no control over some of these ideas, and no way to implement some of these ideas, but we DO have control over how many fish WE as individuals remove from the water. I cant control how many fish the other guy takes home, but I can control how many I take home. Catch and Release works, and if Crappie Fisherman dont catch on to the idea, we are headed for darker days. I love to eat fish as much as the next guy, and I do keep a few here and there, but that's not the reason I go fishing. I simply love to be out on the water enjoying God's Creation, catching fish is a bonus, and the feeling you get from watching a big ole 2 pounder swim away after you release her isn't a bad feeling either. If you've never tried it, you may be suprised how good it can make you feel.

One mature female crappie can produce 30,000 or more eggs each spring; however only about 1% survive to reproduce - but that is still about 300 crappie.

Maybe we should support our own sport for future days with more catch and release today? Maybe we should ALL consider releasing most of those big fat females full of eggs during the spawning season, and only keep the males and just a few of the females during the spawn? However this idea won't work if I release them back today and someone else keeps them tomorrow before they spawn. Please consider releasing the fat females full of eggs. We will be helping not only ourselves, but all crappie anglers in the long run, including our grandchildren. Doing this for just a few years would restock crappie populations in most lakes. Think about all the crappie we could then catch in the summer, fall, and winter ?