Thread: Restocking

I just have to say that I love hearing those old stories. Before they passed, I used to sit and listen to my dad and grandad tell stories like those for hours on end. I was just fascinated.


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Dad used a 4/0 hook, said you'd miss bites with smaller hooks. Now you can't use over a #2 hook in some places.

I would rather see the winter pool raised 5' at all the big four. I think that would do more quicker for the fish population and not alter genetics.

Five feet more at winter pool would translate to 5' more in the spring. The low water this spring amplifies the catch. Five feet more would have made a big difference.

My grandpa has told me stories of how they used trot lines to catch tons of crappie at Grenada but back then the lake would hold water almost to Calhoun City. Had to be better for the fishing with all that cover in the back waters. Haven't seen it get that that in a long time!


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In 1954 we fished from a home made houseboat. I was 9 years old. We would go from the main landing (nader) up to the Yalobusha towards Choctaw. There was timner everywhere. We would tie up to a tree and set there and fish. We all sat on the roof in folding chairs, 4 or 5 folks, and used minnows. We caught a lot of fish lifting them all the way out of the water to the roof with a cane pole. Dropped a lot of fish and broke a lot of poles too. Most all the trees still had leaves on em. Didn't see folks trolling, they were all tied up to something.

Originally Posted by Boatbottom

I would rather see the winter pool raised 5' at all the big four. I think that would do more quicker for the fish population and not alter genetics.

That's not going to happen like I have said time and time again build habitat I don't care how young or old you are it's are job as fisherman heck I have even got cray out in the cold and wet this year and he's a old goat. The problem is its the trollers against the single pole guys or single pole guys against the trollers when we can figure out that we all benefit from each other things will work out alot better. How many fish has a trollers caught that was spawned on a stake bed the numbers would blow your mind I'm sure. Some folks think if they build beds that someone else will benefit I look at it like this the fish benefit from it way more then we can and that's the goal.

Originally Posted by slabin

That's not going to happen like I have said time and time again build habitat I don't care how young or old you are it's are job as fisherman heck I have even got cray out in the cold and wet this year and he's a old goat. The problem is its the trollers against the single pole guys or single pole guys against the trollers when we can figure out that we all benefit from each other things will work out alot better. How many fish has a trollers caught that was spawned on a stake bed the numbers would blow your mind I'm sure. Some folks think if they build beds that someone else will benefit I look at it like this the fish benefit from it way more then we can and that's the goal.

I agree on the structure argument. I could care less if you take one or 20 poles to the lake, the fish need habitat to spawn in. Ive seen the oxbow lakes lose more and more structure each year due to floods and it has definitely hurt populations and catch rates. I would be willing to come help out on habitat days now that I am fishing these lakes more. Whoever has the info, shoot me a PM and i will give you my number, I would be glad to give a little back to these lakes.

Back to the restocking subject. I think these fish replenish themselves well, but restocking may result in overstocking if we have down numbers followed by a bumper crop spawn. Adjust the limit to protect the fish as I think game and fish has done and done well to make these lake the fishery they are now. Yes, its not the days of old, but what is anymore. We have more people fishing now, and more people traveling to fish, and I dont see this changing.

Love hearing the old stories about these lakes, wish we could go back in time to see what it looked like when they were first constructed.