How many Mendo Stripers are there?

I have almost no info on this so I'll just throw this out for discussion,  

Unfortunately It think overall I spend more time on this site than actually fishing, (well at least it feels like it) but it's been a strange year for me,,,,,,,,

With that said I see allot of dead fish in kayaks (mendo stripers) all generally the same size, and in reading the posts I don't hear much about smaller ones.

So is the lake currently being stocked with stripers,

Is there any reproducing going on,

or,

Are we depleting a finite resource there?


Armed with Sean's article and any other info I could get I headed up there a couple weeks ago for my first time, no stripers for me, but a couple of SMB one of which was big enough to make put up a good fight, AND if I had caught stripers I probably would have kept at least one so in theory at least I'm one of the people that would take stripers out of the lake.  Just wondering about the longterm impact of all those 30 inchers leaving the lake.

dale

Is there any reproducing going on,

I'm pretty sure that they don't reproduce.  I think I read it somewhere on the site.  It's something about suitable habitat.

I do know that they stock it once a year.  I specifically remember listening to Sean talk about this at BAMIII.  It was really interesting listening to him talk about it.  I believe some of the tournnaments' profits support the planting.

Sean will definitely weigh in on this and I can't wait to hear it from the expert.

Michael

I could have addressed this just to Sean, as I'm sure he has the straight scoop on this info, but I also wanted to see what others thought.  I am pretty sure the stripers don't reproduce in the lake but don't know for sure.

 There might be some incidental striper reproduction in the lake. But the fish we enjoy is from the efforts of the Calif. Striped Bass Association. They have been raising the funds to restock the lake every year. Unfortunately the costs of fish raising is going up. So the amount of restocking suffers from funding. Please join CSBA to support this unique fishery!
http://www.striper-csba.com/

Please join CSBA to support this unique fishery!

I live in San Jose but if I join the Ukiah chapter, will more funds go towards that specific chapter or is all of the money divied up evenly between all 7 chapters?  If money goes to individual chapters, then I'll join the Ukiah chapter to support Mendo, otherwise I'll join my hometown chapter of Modesto.

Michael

A lot of us join the Ukiah Chapter when we fish their tourney in the spring. Next year is ours to win.
http://www.norcalkayakanglers.com/index.php/topic,8231.0.html

It is a finite resource, and all of the stocking is done with private funds from the Ukiah Chapter of the CSBA.  By attending BAM and/or the CSBA tourney in the spring you can help support stocking in Mendo.  Joining the Ukiah Chapter put fish in Mendo and no where else.  If you want to join, let me know, I am the Secretary of the Ukiah Chapter.

I too am starting to be concerned as I started this whole mess and the seemingly endless posts of "ez limits" are getting excessive.  I am going to start being more explict in out posts, but the VAST (as in 99%) of the fish I catch, get released.  More folks on here need to start doing the same.  The lake is small, and getting smaller, it is a finite resource.  Enjoy the action, and preserve the action, by practicing C&R.  If you get a bleeder or a roller, take it home, but its not the ocean and it we can collectively ruin this great fishery if we are not careful.  Thanks for starting this thread!

If you want to join, let me know, I am the Secretary of the Ukiah Chapter.

I want to join!  I went to CSBA's website Sunday and found the form.  Should I just fill it out?  If I think my wife would want to join,   should I fill out a separate form for her?

Please give me the 411, I want to help.  If I can join by the end of the year, it is that much more money for the Chapter as well as Mendo.

Michael

We're in, but I do have a question about posting, but I am not sure if the question belongs in this thread. I was originally introduced to the Mendocino Striper fishing thru word of mouth and then the NCKA website.  Amazingly the internet has made us all more efficient fishermen.......... with the different sites I know what is hot and where.... either by powerboat or kayak. Websites showing river flows, sea surface temps, and most importantly almost up to the minute personal posts (who what where when) direct us and increase our odds of catching fish.   I guess my question is "to post or not to post?"

I guess my question is "to post or not to post?"

IMHO:  Post but everybody needs to be diligent/mindful of the particular fishery they're fishing. 

I used to be strictly catch & kill but am now enjoying letting fish swim away to see another day.  The high for me is landing the fish as well as letting him/her swim away.

I felt like I had to keep what I caught to prove that I could fish.  Now my machismo is behind me, besides, I can snap a quick photo to prove that I'm not telling a fish story.

Don't get me wrong, I keep a few fish for myself or non-fishing friends that like fish, but I would say that I only keep 10-20% of what I catch.

Just my $0.02

Michael

I used to post everything, now most everything  I couldn't agree more with Dilbeck.   I still retain some fish, but enjoy the selectivity that a waterproof digi has created. Once you start releasing, it is very gratifying. 

and with that note.....I will add at the end of a CP&R'd fish with an "S" for a smile of satisfaction    CPRw/S
 

I wasn't even tempted to keep any of my Mendo fish last week.  Poor things have the deck stacked against em as it is.

Plus one legal striper is enough fish to feed what, 4 people, at least??

Hey, thanks for all the responses and discussion,

Over the years I’ve moved to mostly C&R myself.  The experience of just being out on the water and of feeling that tug and fight outweigh any enjoyment I get from eating what I catch.  Although I do enjoy my fish.

 I have a process I go thru mentally about keeping fish,  It’s not a big deal just happens sort of automatically.

First, any fish that won’t live if released is a keeper (within the regs), most dead fish become a food source for something (which might as well be me)

Second, I consider the health of the fishery,

Third, I consider what I already have in the freezer,
   
After that there’s a bunch of other things that we all probably consider,

Such as,  would Mom like some fresh fish, or do I feel like cleaning fish tonite, etc.

Then my recent purchase of a waterproof digital camera makes it allot easier especially when you catch something you just gotta show off. 

With all that said I did release a 50” sturgeon once, it was OK until I told my Mom, sturgeon after all is her favorite.