The problem with just dumping in fish, is that no two lakes are the same, while similar, there are differences. Hybrids could very well work, but then again they may upset the balance even more

If the Shad are at such high numbers the Stripers will have no effect on other species that is their number 1 target fish. Once again Shenango has mass schools of Shad but just maybe enough Stripers to hold them in check. I would say if Stripers didn"t exist on Shenango it would be just as bad as Wilhelm . I personally doubt those Shad numbers will drop in the next 10 years on their own. Shenango Stripers have been a blessing to us local fishermen. They are super awesome fighters on any tackle you use! They grow very rapidly and have not had any effect on other species. We catch and release about 99% of them but some people say they are good eating. I'll stick with Walleye.

I think the water clarity was also affected by the rapid increase in water temperatures last year.

I personally also think the Wilhelm weed growth and water clarity has also been impacted by local farming practices. Every stream or run-off surrounding the lake basically originates or runs through a local framer's fields. It can't be healthy for farming chemicals to run off into the lake.

I'm on the fence about introducing stripers. While I can see how they could lower the shad population, I'm not sure how they would affect the bass and other species populations. Although Shenango has a fair bass population, I'd rate Wilhelm as better in terms of numbers and quality, at least in previous years. I'm not sure if intorducing yet another fish competing for the same food is the answer. What has possibly worked in one lake may not necessarily work in another, but if the shad continue to explode, and no answer or solution is acheived, that intorduction may be a viable "chance" to take.

Bass are adaptable. Once it was thought that the inroduction of the round goby into Lake Erie would all but decimate the smallmouth population. They have adapted and now forage on the goby, maybe more so than Emerald Shiners, once a primary food source. I'm hoping the Wilhlem bass adapt and forage more heavily on the shad. Gizzard shad are a food source for bass on many lakes across the U.S.

Fished wilhelm today only landed 5 but the first was very nice 18.75 inches 3.55 lbs.
http://i1259.photobucket.com/albums/ii551/bdugg/imagejpeg_2_10.jpg

Just a practice on photo posting with the new system. Shenango River.

I have been fishing Wilhelm for 25 years. When I say 25 years I'm talking just about every weekend from April 15th till October 15th. The bass fishing has gone way way down hill the past two years. I'm not so sure you can blame it all on the Gizzard shad. The water clarity is terrible. The weeds that are in the lake are covered in brown silt. I have started to go to Pymy and Erie this year and doing allot better. I don't know what the fix is but I hope the lake turns around. I have a place at one of the campgrounds and was spoiled with only having a minute drive to the launch. Now its costing me a lot more in gas to go to the other lakes. I'm going to give it a couple years but if things don't improve I'll have to look at a possible move up to Pymy. Don't want to. I like were I am now but I camp to fish.

Yeah, Wife & I  were up there last Thursday, went to upper end to get out of the wind...Got a few small crappies and gills,nothing to write home about. Marked a bunch of fish down near causeway on marina side in 11 to 14 FOW but again all small stuff that we got. Sure not like it used to be but it was fun....Cheaper to run there from Franklin, then pymatuning ....talked to the guy at the bait shop and he said one guy at camp grounds has only got 4 walleye so far but all legal. Going to take my 7yr old grandson out soon, so maybe we can get him some action with the small stuff...lol

Sergeant Major

Fished last night for eyes from 6pmthe till 8pm launched out of 1me went to the north side of the lake between dugan run and ****. Caught a bunch of pan fish no eyes. I just got back from erie at port clinton where we caught our limit of eyes (24) everyday for a week in 2 to 4 hrs. What a let down. I dont think they can see the bait unless it hits them on the nose.

 
24 every day for a week? When's the fish fry? Man! If you need company for a trip up there after those eyes in  Port Clinton, let me know. LOL! Good job Sarge.

I fished Wilhelm this morning, 6 till 11. Bass are definately post spawn, saw fry in a few places. Caught one nice bass in the 4-5 lb range around one ball of fry.
Fished mid lake and in the stumps. There are tons and tons of bluegill beds up there. Saw thousands of gills and many large ones. Caught 7 bass there, caught 7 bass in the stumps, mostly on a crankbait deflected off wood.
 

hey how do get a picture to come up under your username on the left? having a little trouble here

You would have no problem with that boat. Sounds like a great set up. Find 10FOW and set a slip bobber for 1ft off of the bottom. Put a 1/16oz jig on with a minnow or my personal favorite, Berkley Gulp Alive 1" minnow in chartruese.

http://www.post-gazette.com/stories/sports/hunting-fishing/problem-fish-gizzard-shad-is-a-natural-part-of-pennsylvania-waterways-but-too-many-can-destroy-a-thriving-sport-fishery-638710/
 
Here is an article on gizzard shad the post-gazette wrote yesterday. At least more people are taking notice!

Geez beeen a few years since any discussion took place here so, inquiring minds need to know, for the 2016 season.
 
Anybody know if the docks are in..................... Yet????

I gotta get over there Steve, docks or not.  Think I'm gonna go try it tomorrow and stay away from Pymie for a week or so.  Wilhelm is much shallower.  It has to be warmer I would think.
 
You're gonna love that echo map.