Rock Bass ??

[Pineedles]

I really believe a bounty has to be offered up by F&G. It doesn't have to be large, just an incentive to rid the Big lake of these invasive devils. I fished a trout stream in CT last week, been going there for years, caught a rock bass. This is the first time I have caught one in this stream, EVER!

[MikeF-NH]

I dont think fish and game has money to offer a bounty but I'd love to see a "derby" of sorts with prizes offered for persons turning in most "poundage" of rock bass. Good way to remove 'tons' of rock bass from the lake....yes I know that new derbys on the lake are banned.

[AC2717]

Originally Posted by MikeF-NH

I dont think fish and game has money to offer a bounty but I'd love to see a "derby" of sorts with prizes offered for persons turning in most "poundage" of rock bass. Good way to remove 'tons' of rock bass from the lake....yes I know that new derbys on the lake are banned.

Sebago does it

why not do a state Derby and let them come from all lakes, ponds, and waterways of NH.

And why are new Derby's banned? that's nuts, so much for have a Bass Tournament up here aired on national TV that will draw crowds and revenue

[wtibert]

Does anyone know if they've been seen in Moultonborough? I'll be up there all week next week and wouldn't mind culling a whole bunch from the lake if they are there....

[Pineedles]

Originally Posted by wtibert

Does anyone know if they've been seen in Moultonborough? I'll be up there all week next week and wouldn't mind culling a whole bunch from the lake if they are there....

Oh yeah they're there.

[KrotzNH]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

Oh yeah they're there.

We own a home in Moultonborough, and I have been fishing the lake for 5 years now. My target is usually bass and pickerel, but the number of rock bass I have been catching has grown exponentially each year. This season, I have literally caught more rock bass than all other fish combined - and I am using large lures that rock bass have no business biting! It is very concerning ....

[SteveO123]

Caught my first-ever rock bass (2 in a couple of minutes) here on Opechee the other day for the first time in 10 years. Coincidentally (?) the largemouth left after the milfoil was removed. Oh well-- Just have to deal with those red-eyed bass-turds now.

--Steve

[kawishiwi]

From. http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/fish...rock-bass.html
"Conservation/Management: Rock bass are considered an invasive species that, once introduced, is capable of altering the food web in lake and pond ecosystems.

Recommendations:

Discourage the spread of rock bass through illegal introduction into new waterbodies. Once established, rock bass are virtually impossible to eradicate."

So until something starts feeding in earnest on the rock bass or rock bass fry it seems they are with us. As with any population theres a chance it will crash and maybe the bass can make a comeback. As it is I'ved moved my bass fishing to 30ft+ in midsummer. It appears to me, a winni novice, that there are smallmouth that have become more like the salmon feeding on the open water bait. Read some of the trip reports on fishlakewinni.com to hear how many smallies are being caught DEEP by the Salmon/Trout trollers.
Its tough fishing that deep to find bait/bass as they appear to relate only to the wandering bait clouds vs gathering on structure.

[noreast]

Originally Posted by Pineedles

I really believe a bounty has to be offered up by F&G. It doesn't have to be large, just an incentive to rid the Big lake of these invasive devils. I fished a trout stream in CT last week, been going there for years, caught a rock bass. This is the first time I have caught one in this stream, EVER!

It was that or the new building, The vote was close, the fish won.

[topwater]

Originally Posted by noreast

It was that or the new building, The vote was close, the fish won.

In my opinion the Rock bass are here to stay. With the amount of them and the vast distances that they are discovered, No way to take them out. As a lot of things, It will get worse before it gets better.