Thread: Hyco Red Drum Seminar

yes I was there and they had a good presentation. What I learned was that Hyco's Tillipia population is what's holding the bass size down and the crappie numbers down . They said it's the competiton for breeding grounds ad food that's messing up e system They don't expect the drum to wipe out the tilapia so much but they hope to use them to support the red drum and make Hyco a unique fishery. The drum eggs can't hatch in fresh water so it will be easy to manage.

What is wrong with Bass, Bream. and Crappie; native fish to our lakes? I would think these Would best! NC Wildlife is not in our best interest!

Monk

There was a big fish kill on Hyco. Hundreds of dead tilapia. I was told it was because of the power plant changing from coal to natural gas and the water wasn't being heated like it has been in the past.

I've seen quite a few dead talapia last few trips to Hyco. I don't know if the plant has completely stopped using coal but they have certainly stopped discharging hot water.

Well I'm sorry to say you're wrong about them not having our best interest this time. I do know who you are and I have a lot of respect for you but you should hear what they have to say before posting a statement like that. They are trying to combat African Tillapia which by the way they did not stock in Hyco. Tillpia are destroying the Bass,bream,and crappie so the N.C Wildlife are willing to try stocking Red drum in the lake just so we can have something else to fish for. I believe that to be in all of our best interest, no different to me than hybrid bass or stripers. I was on the fence about it myself until I heard what they had to say and so were a lot of the other people there but we took a vote before we left and all but 1 person was on board with the plan. That 1 person was worried only about extra boat traffic on the lake.

They said the water got to cold in parts of the lake because they did switch from coal for now due to the fuel prices being so low.