I think the smolt are getting eaten just my theory, a lot more smallmouths then I used to see in walnut and other small creeks and I just think thats their major food source in there. I use spoons and rapalas that look like smolt at the tips of creeks during spring and harmer smallies. Plus big walleyes, plus they stock way to many smolt, i guarantee if they stocked less but bigger smolt the numbers would increase, plus if the increased size limits to 20 inches then we wouldn't have fishermen being the biggest predators

Just a thought here , since there were so few fish on the "east side" this year and years past you all need to go to the "west side" to fish then. Dont complain if you "think" there were fewer fish on the east side. Its how its always been.
There has been the same numbers as years past IMO. The only difference has been the increase in anglers fishing for them. And if those increased numbers of anglers "take" fish home with them then of coarse there will be less fish to catch.
It aint rocket science.
 Im not the smartest guy by any means but if ya just look at it in the simplest of means the answer can be found. A lot of factors have an impact on the numbers of fish that return or do not return to the cricks each year. Pick a few of those factors that you feel are the ones that impact those numbers and quit complaining about it. The answers are there. Open yinz eyes and thee shall see.

The Deetz

"the smolt the PFBC stock now are 2-4 inched smaller than the smolts stocked previous years(good years).

they chose to stock smaller younger smolts in a effort to slash some of the feeding costs."

They stock the smolts when they are READY to be stocked, feed costs have nothing to do with it.


"3cu fish are mainly the ones you have seen the past couple years..
so, always support 3cu because as it is, they are the ones stocking your fish.".

The 3CU does a great job, and plays a vital role. So I'm not suggesting that folks not support them ( quite the opposite ).
However, while many fish you catch are 3CU stocked. The PF&BC stocks ten times the fish, that 3CU does. So the above statement,is FAR from accurate.

ORIGINAL: thedrake

How do we grow larger smolts? Aren't they all around the same size at the time they need to be stocked?

don't know myself, but IF predator fish are an issue; stocking the smolts at a larger size and maybe closer to the lake would maybe increase lake return smolts... i just thought whisper had a decent point; i myself dont have the answer. i'd say creel limits though would definitely help . put 10000 fish in a barrel and let 1000 fisherman fish for them for months at a time(no fact base numbers, just a generalization)... the fish are bound to run out...

I haven't caught a steelhead in about 3 months!!!!!!!! Wish the runs were as big as they were a few years ago. or maybe i need to just get off the couch and drive up and do some fishing. hahaha 

Dime,

I know folks always want "an answer", and that can be good. In this case, they're looking for an answer to a problem that doesn't exist.

You ? does deserve one though.

The predators in question, are IN the lake. So stocking smolts closer would have no effect. Secondly, the predator "problem" is cyclical. The adult Walleye population should be on a downward swing. So predation will decrease as a result.

Also Creel rates no doubt appear higher than they actually are. Because IMO most folks focus more on the ones they see roped, than the ones they see released.

As for stocking size. To properly imprint, the smolt must be stocked at a certain stage. From conversations I have had with those involved. The fish's behavior in the raceway indicate when that occurs. Basically THEY tell us when it's time to stock them.

Dimee,

Im get you, but with harvest rates fairly consistent at 22-25%, I don't see this as a problem. Nor does the PF&BC, hence the limits. I have never had a problem finding fair-good numbers in late winter, even mid spring. Sure, there might have been more, with less harvsest. But it begs the question, ( How many do you/we need? ). There should be a balance between the ( needs? ) of the CR guy, and the meathunter. How much do limit their right to harvest, in order to have more fish for you/us to play with? Particularlly in a put & take fishery. From my observations, the current creel limits keep that balance, in balance.

the fish are ther you just have to work for them and walk a ways its good for you and gets you away from the crowds.as eyeassassin said i too have caught fish about everytime up and the few times i didnt catch fish they were ther cause others were catching them or i could see them.not everybody keeps a limit of fish as you seem to think i see a lot more released than kept. non human predators are more of a problem than the people. and yes the numbers are down but i still catch fish and if i only catch 1 or 2 or even zero i was in the great outdoors and enjoyed my time. what more could you ask for.

Have any of you pessimists fished anywhere else other than Erie? I've been to 48 states and never seen such small tribs packed with fish. Ever fished a river instead of a "stream" or "crick"?

The color yellow really does make me sad......

I thought this year was an improvement over last year...whenever we were able to find open water and not have knee surgeries that is.

Again, its a manufactured fishery...as long as they keep stocking the fish, it will always be better than average steelheading. Theres a much tougher element to avoid when fishing Erie tribs anymore and it has nothing to do with the amount of fish, skill levels or conditions. Anywhere you go...Tricky

90-10 ??

90% whine about not enough fish while 10% go fishing and catch fish.

I think we're spoiled. At a lot of the streams on the west coast,having ONE HOOKUP means an outstanding day of steelheading.

ORIGINAL: bingsbaits

90-10 ??

90% whine about not enough fish while 10% go fishing and catch fish.

 
 

Numbers of steel in our tribs are FAR from natural. I think the return rate and numbers of steel stocked have far more to do with fishermen success than C&R ever will in a manufactured fishery like ours. Basically, IMO, C&R is not a necessity on any of the stocked Erie or Ontario tribs. Its called appropriate daily bag limits and They will be replaced.

Nope, steelhead aren't tricky at all

ORIGINAL: rippinlip

I think we're spoiled. At a lot of the streams on the west coast,having ONE HOOKUP means an outstanding day of steelheading.

+1 nuff said