Do Stocked Trout Affect Bass? 2024
Quarry Man reply :
I live on a 50ish acre lake. They stock a ton of trout every year. Lake is actually a pretty good bass lake, and a bunch of pickerel, mostly 18" but there are at least two 7+ lbers in there. on side of the lake is 12' deep, some rock and thats where the trout are stocked and where shore anglers can fish from. I will be in a boat and tend to go further out than bank anglers can reach from shore. I was wondering what impact the trout (mostly 14-16", and a handful of 8-10lbers) would have on the bass? I doubt there are big enough bass in the lake to eat trout, best guess is that there are no bass over 7 lbs. will the trout force the bass to migrate to the opposite shallow end of the lake in search of bait?
Gundog reply :
First of all, where do you live because with 7 lb. bass in a lake, I want to be your neighbor. Now lets discuss your question. Bass will be where the food is. That is what they do to survive. Find the bait, find the bass. Also your assumption that the bass aren't eating the trout is probably wrong. I've seen 15 inch bass try to eat 9 inch trout. They will eat anything they can and a 7 lb. bass can eat a lot. See the pic below. That bass was netted by a state biologist in Moon Lake, a lake stocked with trout.
Quarry Man reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 3:50 AM, Gundog said:First of all, where do you live because with 7 lb. bass in a lake, I want to be your neighbor.
Biggest bass I've seen recorded from that lake in the 10 years we've been there was about 6lbs. Lake is starting to make a comeback (was very low two years ago), and I have a feeling that there are big girls in there.
As for the trout, one of the members of our community pays for a handful of trophy fish to be stocked in the lake. I may have exaggerated a little bit, but they are very very big.
as for pickerel, literally every fish is 18" on the dot. I landed a 6ish lber last winter, and have lost two that were 7+ best guess, right at the boat.
I would not be surprised if they tried to eat the trout, I just think that with the clubs mentality of fewer, but bigger fish, it might be harder. There are now tons of perch coming back, perfect size for bass and trout and pickerel.
WRB reply :
Stocked trout under 12" are good bass prey, over 14" trout are too be for the majority of LMB to swallow.
I would think a Hudd 68 would look like a good meal to the bigger bass in the lake and worth trying.
Tom
Munkin reply :
They maybe good prey but I hate fishing lakes here in Merryland that are stocked with trout. There is someone every 3' on the bank with 3 poles in the water and I always have to argue with people when trying to launch my boat. Even though there are 3 signs that say not fishing on the boat ramp there is always someone with lawn chairs setup when I get there. They get ticked off when I ask them to move so I can launch and yell about how they were there first. I try pointing to the signs but they still give me a rash of **** because they were there first. Same goes when I try to come in to put the boat on the trailer. I have cut at least 10 lines that I caught with the TM because they cast out in front of me when trying to come in. I respect my elders but it is always some senior citizen that is doing it because I have the nerve to put in and takeout on the boat ramp that they considered their own fishing pier. Now I just try and avoid that mess all together.
Allen
Quarry Man reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 8:56 AM, Munkin said:They maybe good prey but I hate fishing lakes here in Merryland that are stocked with trout. There is someone every 3' on the bank with 3 poles in the water and I always have to argue with people when trying to launch my boat. Even though there are 3 signs that say not fishing on the boat ramp there is always someone with lawn chairs setup when I get there. They get ticked off when I ask them to move so I can launch and yell about how they were there first. I try pointing to the signs but they still give me a rash of **** because they were there first. Same goes when I try to come in to put the boat on the trailer. I have cut at least 10 lines that I caught with the TM because they cast out in front of me when trying to come in. I respect my elders but it is always some senior citizen that is doing it because I have the nerve to put in and takeout on the boat ramp that they considered their own fishing pier. Now I just try and avoid that mess all together.
Allen
I don't like the shoulder to shoulder stuff either, and with powerboat for stocked trout, its not really fishing, that being said, I still enjoy it, and im also one of the few people to go out on a boat for opening day, and to use lures.
one time I was trying to launch my boat and there were four middle aged adults and they did not move out of the way, and I waited politely to do whatever they were doing, but they were strangely getting in and out of the kayaks/being oddly weird right in front of the boat ramp. they were confused and offended when I asked them to move after like 5-10 minutes of me waiting behind them clearly trying to put the boat in. Eventually I just started pointing at the sign and going in reverse, took them a second but they moved out.
some people just don't get it.
on a side note, I live on a smaller lake, and we have kayak/jon boat tournaments. there is a massive cooler on the launch dock that serves as a live well for boats without live wells. Watched 4 foreign tourists come up to the dock, open the cooler, stare at a 7lb bass and then proceed to dump the bass into the lake, along with my 4 lber. This was with 15 minutes to go in the event, and I was winning until some guy on the bank caught the 7 lber. then the people proceeded to grab a random canoe, don life vests, and paddle out into the lake. they rammed eachoither and swam right where we were fishing. I didn't care at that point bc it was actually funny, though annoying!
Munkin reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 9:07 AM, Quarry Man said:I don't like the shoulder to shoulder stuff either, and with powerboat for stocked trout, its not really fishing, that being said, I still enjoy it, and im also one of the few people to go out on a boat for opening day, and to use lures.
one time I was trying to launch my boat and there were four middle aged adults and they did not move out of the way, and I waited politely to do whatever they were doing, but they were strangely getting in and out of the kayaks/being oddly weird right in front of the boat ramp. they were confused and offended when I asked them to move after like 5-10 minutes of me waiting behind them clearly trying to put the boat in. Eventually I just started pointing at the sign and going in reverse, took them a second but they moved out.
some people just don't get it.
on a side note, I live on a smaller lake, and we have kayak/jon boat tournaments. there is a massive cooler on the launch dock that serves as a live well for boats without live wells. Watched 4 foreign tourists come up to the dock, open the cooler, stare at a 7lb bass and then proceed to dump the bass into the lake, along with my 4 lber. This was with 15 minutes to go in the event, and I was winning until some guy on the bank caught the 7 lber. then the people proceeded to grab a random canoe, don life vests, and paddle out into the lake. they rammed eachoither and swam right where we were fishing. I didn't care at that point bc it was actually funny, though annoying!
We also get the no understand English crowd. My buddy knocked there grill over backing his trailer up since they would not move.
Allen
Bluebasser86 reply :
One of the lakes I fish a lot in the spring is stocked with trout every fall and spring. I've caught bass as small as 17-18 inches with tails of 12-14 inch trout sticking out of their throats.
WRB reply :
You all need to look at largemouth bass anatomy, the stomach only extends about 1/2 the fish length. If a 18" bass ate a 12" trout a 3rd would be sticking out it's mouth and it would choke to death.
Tom
Bluebasser86 reply :
1/2 an 18" fish accounts for 9" of a 12" trout, so 3" of a soft trout tail sticking out of bass' throat is enough to kill it?
All I know is what I've seen with my own eyes. The state stocks trout at approximately 12", the bass was 18".
Jleebesaw reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 8:56 AM, Munkin said:Even though there are 3 signs that say not fishing on the boat ramp there is always someone with lawn chairs setup when I get there. They get ticked off when I ask them to move so I can launch and yell about how they were there first
I go to a spot for big cats in the early spring. We put in a boat and then shore fish on the other side of the bay. This place is very popular for bullhead fishing too. On the shore with the launch you can see fires and lanterns all the way down the entire bank. Every time we go there, there are people sitting on the launch. Most of the time they make way for us but sometimes they get lippy. The last time I was there some guys actually had a fire built on the ramp. We got into a pretty good arguement there. They were all drinking heavily too. Luckily we had my 14' boat with an 8 horse and 3 guys so we could still get the boat out. This was the one and only time I've ever called the police on someone. We waited for the police to get there. They arrested 2 of them for dwi. They had their trucks parked on the launch and nobody to claim to be driving for them because they were all drinking. The DEC showed up as well and they were throwing tickets around like crazy. Several if them had no fishing lisence and they were obstructing a public launch. I just dont get people sometimes. How hard is it to enjoy yourself without bothering other people?
TnRiver46 reply :
We have a pond at my weekend job that has bass year round and trout in winter. The two biggest bass are each about 5 lb, the pond is tiny. We put a 13” rainbow in, wham bam the bass ate it right in front of us. Put a 15” trout in, wham same thing. Put a 19” trout in and they followed it everywhere it went. Measurements of anatomy or not, we all stood there and watched it
Fishingchucknj reply :
I usually avoid the trout stocked lakes because of the crowds. Usually the only time I see a game warden is during this time. Once trout season I’d done I have no issues fishing and doing well for bass.
Mr. Aquarium reply :
telling ya, if its stocked heavily with trout there are some big bass. I have a pond stocked to the BRIM with trout. If you fish a regular style bass gear, texas rig, drop shot, crank baits, you'll catch a mess of dink bass. But I can tell you there are GIANTS here. Fish a swimbait. You may not crush it every time but you will get a giant bass. hell you may not get a bite for a month straight but when you do it very well could be your PB
I live in MA we have cold long winters, but I know theres a 10 in this place. My buddy told me he seen a 10 plus there, legit biggest bass hes ever seen. Hes caught a few 8s and 9s in MA.
J Francho reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 5:49 AM, WRB said:Stocked trout under 12" are good bass prey, over 14" trout are too be for the majority of LMB to swallow.
I would think a Hudd 68 would look like a good meal to the bigger bass in the lake and worth trying.
Tom
I recommend a 68 as well.
Heartland reply :
They tend to make the bass fat
Quarry Man reply :
you guys really think a huddle would work in a small lake like that?
Bluebasser86 reply :
On 4/10/2019 at 5:08 AM, Quarry Man said:you guys really think a huddle would work in a small lake like that?
Absolutely. They work anywhere bass eat little fish.
WRB reply :
LMB are a fish like all other fish that can't determine thier size verses other fish, it's beyond thier comprehension like most animals. The LMB learns by trail and error what is prey they can eat and what isn't.
Tom
everythingthatswims reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 12:36 PM, Bluebasser86 said:1/2 an 18" fish accounts for 9" of a 12" trout, so 3" of a soft trout tail sticking out of bass' throat is enough to kill it?
All I know is what I've seen with my own eyes. The state stocks trout at approximately 12", the bass was 18".
Trout are soft so they curl up a good bit in their stomach I would say
Quarry Man reply :
Yeah they slide right down, no spiny fins
WRB reply :
Most states stock rainbow trout from state run hatchuaries with an average weight of 2 to 3 trout per pound, length run from 8" to 13". Private hatchuaries stock trout up to 10 lbs or whatever the client orders. Without extracting to swallowed trout you can only make an educated guess, the tail only indicates the fish species. The average 18" LMB weighs about 3 1/2 lbs.,
Tom
reddragon reply :
Bass love stocked trout! Throw your hudds!
Quarry Man reply :
On 4/11/2019 at 1:23 AM, reddragon said:Throw your hudds!
Unfortunately I don't own any.
what about an umbrella rig for bass and trout? its legal in pa I think.
MN Fisher reply :
On 4/11/2019 at 9:49 AM, Quarry Man said:Unfortunately I don't own any.
what about an umbrella rig for bass and trout? its legal in pa I think.
A little Google search...and you are correct. Umbrella/Alabama rigs are legal in PA.
https://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-12/583.html
Quarry Man reply :
On 4/11/2019 at 9:55 AM, MN Fisher said:A little Google search...and you are correct. Umbrella/Alabama rigs are legal in PA.
https://www.pabulletin.com/secure/data/vol44/44-12/583.html
good to confirm. Do you think to would work? kinda like a big inline spinner I guess. I have caught these trout on chatterbaits and spinnerbaits before as well. might give it a go the morning after opening day
Glaucus reply :
MN Fisher reply :
On 4/11/2019 at 9:58 AM, Quarry Man said:good to confirm. Do you think to would work? kinda like a big inline spinner I guess. I have caught these trout on chatterbaits and spinnerbaits before as well. might give it a go the morning after opening day
Dunno - never used one since they're illegal in MN.
Quarry Man reply :
well, contrary to what I thought, the bass were going after the trout, hooked a 14" rainbow and washed it get obliterated by a 6+ lb bass. got it on video too, just don't know where to upload it. pretty epic. I hooked the trout onto my frogging rod and was unable to find the being bass. also saw 3 8+ lb trophy trout!
J Francho reply :
On 4/18/2019 at 12:41 AM, Quarry Man said:just don't know where to upload it
YouTube is probably the easiest.
WRB reply :
During the late 50's to early 60's summers I worked on and later managed about 5 years a boat landing or what's called a marina today. Every Wednsday the DFG stocked 12" rainbow trout at various places around the lake and our marina.
The marina area had resident largemouth bass anywhere from small to about 6 lbs, lots of crappie and bluegill living under the docks and boats. When the DFG planted trout they used a large diameter flex tubing to pump out the trout and water froma truck into the lake. The newly planted trout stayed together near shore and slowly moved out into the lake.
The resident LMB were curious and would swim around the planted trout but didn't attack them. In 5 years I never caught a big bass with a trout in it's mouth or watched bass attack trout at Big Bear lake.
Back in 70's 1st time I watched a LMB chase and eat a trout was at lake Casitas. Florida strain LMB eating trout since that time has become a common experience at every lake with FLMB population. Every once in awhile you find a struggling or dieing bass trying to swallow a fish too big for it's size or other bass attacking a bass with a fish too big to swallow. Fish don't know thier own size relative to anything else and learn by trail and error.
Tom
soflabasser reply :
On 4/8/2019 at 3:50 AM, Gundog said:See the pic below. That bass was netted by a state biologist in Moon Lake, a lake stocked with trout.
That is crazy that this bass weighed 9 pounds yet only measured 21.5 inches. Most 9 pound or better bass I catch are 25 inches or longer with a healthy body frame. Goes to show you bass get big quickly on dumb easy to catch stocked trout.
related General Bass Fishing Forum topic
previous topic
most viewed General Bass Fishing Forum topic
© 2024 - fishing.qciss.net. All Rights Reserved.