Lexington 10.29.05 (PICS)

For example studies have shown that since fishers tend to keep the biggest fish, the average size of fish declines over time--man becomes an environmental genetic selector towards smaller fish.

While I tend believe this statement may be true, I also recently read something which suggested that loss of certain habitat is also contributing to the the decline in salmon size.  Here's some examples how the habitat contributes to salmon size.  The Up River Bright salmon on the Columbia are generally on the larger size.  They need to be to make the trip up river hundreds of miles.  However, the Columbia also used to support runs of 100 plus pound salmon.  Where did these salmon go?  They used to spawn further upriver in areas that are now not accessible due to the Grand Coulee dam.  Seems to make sense ... the fish need to be bigger to make it further upstream.

This same article suggested that the 100 plus pound fish run that used to exist on the Hoko River could possible exist again if the dam there is brought down.  Above the damn the river is very fast and wild, moreso that other rivers in the area.  It takes a big strong fish to survive the spawning run.

The premise of this article was that the "large gene" has not disappeared, rather it is not needed much anymore.  In a way I can relate to this ... fish don't need to be large to make it to most hatcheries, more small ones survive, more small ones are produced.

Food for thought.

-Allen

Lexington high pressure?

Boy, you haven't been to San Diego before....

Lexington is not very high pressured as far as I can tell.  I see 1 or 2 boats max and mostly no boats when I go past it, which is a lot.

That lake has suffered severe drawdowns recently and this disrupts the spawning of the bass in a large way.

I don't want to start yet another C&R argument so I won't, but one or so fish for the fryer isn't going to hurt anything.

Let's get another lexington trip going.

MolBasser

Lex is stocked with really nice trout.  I think they come from Modoc County.  They have really nice fins and color.  Meat is pink to red in color.  Most trout are at lease 12" and some nice ones are 15 to 16".  Don't know when they will be stocking it this year yet.

They are a lot bigger than Stevens Creek and better fighters.

No power boats are allow there.  But, the row club has a few power boats they use for the coaches.

There is no launch fee or parking fee.

Ken kickfish

I'm up for a Lexington trip!  When and if it happens, can we look at perhaps a Sunday event?  I work nights and every other Saturday.  Sun thru Tuesday are normal days off.

I'm free this Sunday....

MolBasser

Unfortunately, this week is my "long week" meaning, I'll get off work Sunday morning 6am. (from starting Saturday 5:30pm.)  Sleep is what I have planned.  

Lexington is not very high pressured as far as I can tell. I see 1 or 2 boats max and mostly no boats when I go past it, which is a lot.

Not to argue, but to set it straight. There is a lot of shore fishing and pressure is relative:it is the ratio of fishermen versus the fish in the water. High pressure for a small stream might be taking two fish a week--it would be wiped out in a year without stocking. SO when I say 'high pressure' I include the effects of their not spawning very well. that means even taking a few survivors might cut the brood stock very significantly. Truth is none of us really know, so we each do what we feel is best. You have a right to take fish within the law and I don't deny you that right. Good luck fishing and hope you catch as many as you want and keep as many as you want. I know what I'll do with mine.

Sure, but 90%   of those shore anglers are fishing for trout.

Anyhoo, no big deal.  Practice selective harvest I say, take what you need release the rest and all is good.

 

MolBasser