Thread: DNR Putting Out Fish Habitat!

Not only are they letting things go at the lakes. On state properties they are stripping the forests. In the past they did a great job of timber harvest. Since the Daniels administration they now harvest 3 times as much timber in a given year. Some areas when timbered all or most of the trees are gone with some of the trees only 6 inches in diameter cut. State Forest properties are supposed to be managed for timber and recreation. There isn't much recreation to be found in a woods full of brambles 12 feet high. Current administration is either too naïve or is only managing for now. When woodlots are cut out like that fast growing species will dominate. Future select cuttings of slow growing more valuable trees like Oak, Hickory, and Walnut will be looking at 100 year horizon. Rape the forest now who cares about future generations.

Originally Posted by Frank Cecil

I went to Sullivan last Monday. They are going to need more than habitat. I caught 50 crappie and nothing over 8 inches. However I was at Turtle creek 2 weeks ago. I was informed that they are going to restock crappie there again. I Caught five crappie there back in 2005. largest was 2.8lb smallest one was 2.0lb

question?? if you caught 50 all under 8" did you ever think that MAYBE there are too many Crappie in that lake and their growth is stunted?? Adding more fish will only slow their growth down even more.. You didn't say how long those 50 fish took you to catch them, but if it was only a couple of hours or less sounds like too many fish and they're not growing.

Elk Creek used to be my favorite lake to fish. I have fished it for bluegill, redear and crappie for 25+ years. It's gotten really pathetic though, there's no bathrooms, no garbage cans and I've witnessed horse dung all over the ramp from Amish fishermen. They let their horses crap just about every where.

Indiana doesn't have nearly the commitment to its fisheries as other nearby states. States like Tennessee and Kentucky have developed trophy lakes. They now reap the benefits from hundreds of millions of angler dollars flowing into their areas. Indiana is WAY behind the curve on this.

You hit the nail on the head redearhoosier but lets get back to bragging about our surplus cash.

Originally Posted by Frank Cecil

I went to Sullivan last Monday. They are going to need more than habitat. I caught 50 crappie and nothing over 8 inches. However I was at Turtle creek 2 weeks ago. I was informed that they are going to restock crappie there again. I Caught five crappie there back in 2005. largest was 2.8lb smallest one was 2.0lb

Frank, that lake should give up plenty of nice ones, in a year or two. those 8s should grow to 12s for you. about that time hoards of hooks will ascend and knock down the numbers. lol

what happened to turtle creek? they drain/kill it off or something? crappie dont need stockings usually. they have better than average recruitment.