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| Conservation
Issues |
Kentucky Harvest
Killing a bass is the last thing that enters the minds of most tournament bass fishermen. However, harvesting of
bass is a tremendous management tool to keep the population at healthy levels.Two well-known West Virginia lakes
are suffering from the effects of the catch and release ethic to the point of diminishing returns. Sutton and Burnsville
Lake have seen a huge increase in spotted bass in the 6-to-10 inch size in recent years.It's not uncommon to see
these size fish spawning in both bodies of water.
BassMaster Magazine recently published an article addressing the same issue. Too many smaller fish are increasing
competition for forage in these two West Virginia lakes.
Bass fishermen and women realize the importance of catch and release, but on these two bodies of water, exceptions
should be made. Bert Pierce, DNR Chief of Warmwater Fisheries says harvesting those smaller fish in adequate numbers
would make a difference.
"Harvesting a significant number of spotted bass 11 inches and smaller from Sutton and Burnsville Lakes could
be of benefit to the fisheries as a whole."Explains Pierce. "The result should be an increased number
of keeper sized (12") spotted, largemouth, and smallmouth bass.
Pierce explains reducing the number of smaller spots in the lakes frees up more food sources for those that are
left.
"Eliminating some of the competition would help all three species by creating more baitfish surplus for the
larger fish."
As a group bass fishermen could be a useful fisheries management tool by simply harvesting some of the smaller
fish while on these bodies of water.Anglers should specifically target spotted bass 11-inches and smaller. The
West Virginia Bass Federation comprises a large percentage of the man hours spend fishing these two impoundments.Given
the amount of time on the water, we have the capability of removing a significant number of fish from those waters,
thereby increasing the average size of black bass.
Although few of us are accustomed to cleaning and preparing bass, the smaller spots do make tremendous table-fare.
The next time you're pre-fishing or simply fishing for fun on Sutton or Burnsville you might consider throwing
a few of the smaller spotted bass in the livewell. If we limit the harvest to 11" or smaller and remember
the law's limit of six-fish, it's possible to make these two bodies of water more attractive as future tournament
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