Thread: Lake Eufaula archives

This is a good conversation. I come from a place where trout fishing is the main thing. It took a very long time for fishermen to start catching and releasing fish. I used to keep fish to show all my buds. But then I had so many in my freezer that I ended up wasting a lot. I can totally understand and support those who either fish for a living or need/want the meat, but for me, I mainly fish for the sport of finding fish and getting the bite. I let most of my fish go, especially the big ones (after a picture of course). I do think taking all the large fish out that we catch can hurt a lake (but, I'm not an expert on maintaining a healthy fishery). Based on Crappie Wisdom (book), it takes quite a number of years for a crappie to reach 12+" in our Oklahoma lakes. I believe sportsmen are the most in tune with what they should be doing to keep the tradition going for future generations, not the regulators. I believe in all of you, who love this fish, just like I do.

Originally Posted by DrNip

Let's not trash this useful thread and get it locked. You want to belly ache about limits being too high start a thread.

This thread is about fishing Lake Eufaula. While the comments posted are of interest to some they should be in their own thread so that those that are interested may peruse.

Just try to keep things civil guys. Oologah used to be the same way, but with more and more ex Bass fishermen getting older, most turn to Crappie. Take into account todays electronics making secret brushpiles a thing of the past. Thirty years ago one could go to Duchess Creek or Gentry Creek during the spawn over night and see a city of lights, generators, family get togethers and banks loaded with Toad size Crappie. There are very few lakes that are like they used to be due to pressure an the fact there are just more fishermen on the water.

I cannot blame any guide for making a living and touting his catches. 30 years ago, I'd bet that hardly anyone had the attitude of keeping 9 to eat and let the rest go. I'd like to see a 10" limit on Oologah imposed as I've seen many keep smaller fish that wouldn't get two bites out of once cooked.

Keeping a limit somewhat makes up for the trips that didn't produce results. Some folks like to have others over for a big fish fry. Some give their fish to an elderly couple who can't fish but love Crappie.

If I owned a dock on any lake and I wanted fish under that dock, I would invest in figuring out the best way to create the most comfortable habitat for the Crappie.

Welcome to the board yotebuster37! Not many lurkers join up because they want to complain about something on their very first post. Now that you're talking to us, you'll meet guys that fish Eufaula on a regular basis that will help point you in the right direction should your dock not be cooperating. The people on this board are so good, you'll be kickin yourself in the hind end for not meeting us all sooner. As for me? I'm just a guy that loves to fish for Crappie. Since joining Crappie.com, I kind of like meeting people from across the State/Country that I can go fish with them on new water and not have to drag a boat and a bunch of tackle. You're going to be amazed at some of the friendships you'll make!

Keep things on the low everyone. I won't lock this thread but will come in and make multiple deletions if needed.

Reaper

Gill net surveys... There is a reason why they do em every year. Fishing reports are anecdotal. Just cause someone doesn't catch them doesn't mean they are not there. Crappie populations are highly cyclical with fishermen only part of the equation, in many lakes only a very small part of the equation. I am not a big one for trusting government, but I don't think there is a conspiracy in our State game Dept to reduce crappie numbers. They have a eye on it, if it gets out of hand, and I hate to admit this, I actually trust them that they would do something about it.

Research cormorants (water turkeys) and cormorants in Oklahoma. Cormorants eat about 1 pound of fish every day. Our Fish and wildlife department estimates that 50,000 cormorants live in Oklahoma from October to May. That's 25 tons of fish per day. Lesser numbers are in Oklahoma in other months. There are no estimates of how many fish are injured by the cormorants and die later, but we've all seen crappie and catfish with stab wounds.
In the 90's, a headline in the Oklahoman said that there were 9,000 cormorants on Lake Hefner. They stayed there for seven weeks. That's 220.5 tons consumed, and who knows how many injured fish.
Cormorants have wiped out a lot of catfish farmers throughout the south. There were 147 catfish farmers in Oklahoma in the early 90's. Not sure how many there are now.
It would appear that cormorants take a lot more fish than the fishermen take.

Originally Posted by yotebuster37

I can remember when I could go on my dock year round and catch a mess of fish, now not so much.

yotebuster37, where on Eufaula is your dock? I have a dock in Arrowhead Estates (in Rock Creek Cove). I hang cedars below the dock and we do pretty well with catching crappie. I only fish a few months out of the year (and we are there only on the weekends) - once the water gets warm, we are either hanging out in the water or cruising around on our pontoon. So I have to stock up my freezer to get me through to my next fishing "season".

Originally Posted by Fishers

Gill net surveys... There is a reason why they do em every year. Fishing reports are anecdotal. Just cause someone doesn't catch them doesn't mean they are not there. Crappie populations are highly cyclical with fishermen only part of the equation, in many lakes only a very small part of the equation. I am not a big one for trusting government, but I don't think there is a conspiracy in our State game Dept to reduce crappie numbers. They have a eye on it, if it gets out of hand, and I hate to admit this, I actually trust them that they would do something about it.

Gill net surveys are an very important part of seeing where you lake population is. . . Don't think so? Check out the latest texoma survey as they reflect the results of last year's flood. . . Striper population down fifty percent. . So does the wildlife dept make regulation changes or should fisherman fill their ice chest full because they drove two hours to get there. It's a good idea to see the difference between of having a great day and creating waste.

I will speak up in the defense of Brian (EB) cause after talking with him which I do everyday I know his thoughts and feelings. He will not defend hisself due to creating more conversation. When he said "we cleaned 5700 crappie", he was not speaking of him alone. It was many friends in our circle of life he was referring to. Close friends, relatives, and local guides as well. Hope this clarifies a few things.....Ranger.