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Florida bass in Roosey

4K views 17 replies 12 participants last post by  Franklin J  
#1 ·
I got this off of Del's favorite place, Facebook, posted by Ron Wells. Pretty good reading. Don't know if this is old news or new but it was new to me.

James Goughnour of Rim Country Custom Rods gave me permission to post this information regarding the Florida Strain Bass Stocking at Roosevelt.

As many of you know, the AZGFD has allocated money, time and resources to address the gizzard shad issue currently plaguing Roosevelt Lake. Progress is being made on both the restocking of Florida strain bass and adding habitat to the lake. AZGFD has teamed with Florida G & F and will be stocking Florida strain fingerling bass into Roosevelt Lake this spring. This is a huge first step aimed at restoring the fishery. Fisheries Branch Chief Chris Cantrell and the Commissioners have done an outstanding job of working countless issues that arose to make this happen. At the same time, the Bubbling Pond warm water hatchery is being prepared to accept more fingerlings in the future that will stock Roosevelt Lake in the short term and other Arizona lakes in the future.

In addition, meetings are underway with AZGFD, USFWS and others to determine the process and types of habitat that will be placed into Roosevelt Lake. Needless to say, there are many stakeholders that could be impacted by the types and locations of habitat. A formal process will need to be followed and documented which is going to take some time. The constantly changing water level in Roosevelt Lake creates additional hazard issues that must be addressed and resolved. However, these challenges are not insurmountable and we are moving forward in a cooperative effort obtain the needed approvals.

The AZGFD Commissioners have allocated up to $50,000 in matching funds to improve the Roosevelt Lake fishery. Naturally, we would like to raise $50,000 to get the full matching amount available. Several groups and individuals have already made significant contributions including over $600 from the United Arizona Anglers Foundation and over $500 from the KFNX Shake, Rattle & Troll Outdoor Radio show. If you would like to contribute to this effort, you can send a check payable to Arizona Game and Fish Department. Write "Roosevelt Lake Florida Strain Bass" in the memo line. Send your donation to the attention of Chief Chris Cantrell, 5000 W. Carefree Highway Phoenix, AZ 85086. Please know that a special account has been established to collect these donations. Every dollar donated and each matching dollar by the AZGFD, will be used ONLY FOR ROOSEVELT LAKE. Every dollar will help and remember that your $5 dollar contribution is really $10 with the matching funds. We need all the help we can get for this program, feel free to forward this email so we can return Roosevelt Lake to the lake it was a few years ago.

If you have questions or require additional information don't hesitate to call.

Regards,

James Goughnour
480-495-1
 
#3 ·
I dont understand how gizzard shad could be such a problem. In their native habitat, there are plenty of trophy fisheries. Its funny how they keep saying that when they reach adulthood they are too big to be bass forage. A 40 lb flat can easily wolf down a 10 lb bass. If there is a more abundant food for them, then a lot more bass will survive to adulthood. The circle of life thing, just like the quagga mussels havent had the impact on the fisheries they thought.
Its not like all the gizzard shad are going to be adults at the same time. Just more pseudo science by those who dont know what the %$@* is going on and dont care to find out.
 
#4 ·
The next Gila County Roundtable meeting with AZGFD will be on March 27th, 6PM at the schoolhouse in Punkin Center. AZGFD representatives will be discussing the gizzard shad, water levels, restocking, warm water hatchery, habitat and answer all questions. They will also give an update on the amount of donations received and discuss how those dollars will be spent to improve Roosevelt Lake.
 
#7 ·
Good input Kevin. We talked to GF about putting a slot back on Roosevelt, but since the fishing being stocked would not be slot size the decision was made to not put a slot on. C & R is certainly another approach worth discussing down the road.

Chris - The answer to your question is yes. A half hour of each 1 1/2 hour meeting is dedicated to Q & A. Also at each meeting we've had to date, the entire AZGFD team (including Commissioners) stood in the parking lot for an additional hour talking to anglers.
 
#8 ·
Good input Kevin. We talked to GF about putting a slot back on Roosevelt, but since the fishing being stocked would not be slot size the decision was made to not put a slot on. C & R is certainly another approach worth discussing down the road.

CB they did it back in 09 an the results were pretty good at sag/can/apache don't see why they wouldn't consider for Rosy.



http://www.azgfd.net/fish/fishing-n...-for-2-years-first-ever-blue-ribbon-roundtail-chub-fishery-approved/2008/10/22/
 
#10 ·
True, but with a year round growing season Florida strain bass can gain 1-2 lbs per year. Seen it happen at sag/can, they ran a wand over a 5lber caught at Canyon an it was a stocking from 2 years prior. Don't think your a couple years away from that decision. Lots of meat eaters at Rosy. Good luck, just happy you guys kicked AZGF in the rear to get the ball rolling. Should be extra good for the derby boys in a couple of years.
 
#11 ·
Rosy just sucks....who knows what the reason is...I doubt it's gizzard shad

Do you really think Gizzard Shad would pose a problem for Sag on Canyon? Not really, the bass have the numbers, and the size to take care of those overgrown shad...

Lakes back east with gizzard shad are always putting out big fish, I dont see what the issue is besides Rosy sucks and no one wants to fish it anymore

Meat Hunters are a dime a dozen at Rosy...all those fish are going to the frying pan



 
#16 ·
Sounds like they benefit big bass in that they are easier for large bass to swallow than bluegill. They are bad because they can out compete threadfin and bluegill as fry. Its controversial, but it sounds like they could be beneficial to a larger bass population...time will tell.
The question to me is, don't we already have florida LMB in Rosey? and how many fingerling will be needed to help?