Did anyone else read the article about smallmouths in the Denver Post today. It seems the Dow stocked smallies in Elevenmile this August. What a great idea. With all those crawfish to eat, they should do very well. Everything grows large there and I am sure the Smallmouth will also.

I read it and boy am I glad to see that the Colorado DOW is being forced to start doing some real fisheries planning and management instead of raising truckloads of anemic rainbows to dump into the lakes to be immediately removed by the marshmallow dunkers. If a lake cannot support a self-sustaining trout population it ought to be managed for a species that can self-sustain, whether that is bass, perch, or for put and grow fishing like has been done with wipers and walleyes. Smallmouth and trout can co-exist and prosper nicely as has been proven by the good fishing for both that now exists in Flaming Gorge. Finally a positive from the whirling disease problems at the hatcheries!!! if only we could find such a lake with a forage base that would support walleyes!!!!








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This seems like a win win situation for us fisherman. The Smallmouths and trout will be able to coexist, this just gives us another species to fish for. Plus thats gives the lake another species that eventually can support its self without stocking, like the Pike and Browns do already.

There is a little bonus that you might thought of. With another fish specie in the resivior for the Pike to feed on the other fish might start to make a strong come back to dominance.

A bucket bioligist also planted Yellow Perch in Elevenmile. I have no idea what negative effects that will have, but I would imagine they will help out the Pike.

I wouldn't worry to much about the perch affecting the fishery. Like you said they will probably be easy targets for the Pike if they get to any real size, and the smaller ones will be good eating for the smallies and trout. Atleast thats what I am hoping/thnking.

p.s. it will be intersting to see if that effects ice fishing. perch are tenacious lil buggers when its frozen.