The Lanier Striped Bass Coalition, Inc is holding a fund raising raffle to Benefit the GA DNR/WRD. We are raffling off a Humminbird 998c SI Combo Unit.  The retail value of this unit is $2000.  Tickets are $25, with volume discounts available.  To enter the raffle please visit our raffle entry page

Humminbird 998c SI Combo Unit

]]> http://www.lanierstripedbasscoalition.org/2012/04/ga-dnrwrd-fund-raising-raffle/feed/ 0 http://www.lanierstripedbasscoalition.org/2012/04/striper-scale-collection-video/ http://www.lanierstripedbasscoalition.org/2012/04/striper-scale-collection-video/#comments Thu, 12 Apr 2012 13:16:30 +0000 mikemad http://www.lanierstripedbasscoalition.org/?p=353 Lanier Striped Bass Coalition 2012 Striper Round-Up

Fish scale collection how-to video

This is a Catch and Release fish scale and data collection tournament intended to provide the Georgia Department of Natural Resources with additional information that they have requested to assist with the management and improvement of the Lake Lanier Striped Bass Fishery. All entry fees collected for the General Level registration will go to offset the cost of the tournament with any excess being rolled into the LSBC fund to purchase a new stocking tank for the DNR striper stocking program.

Date: Saturday April 28th 6:30am-12:00pm

Location: “Virtual” Weight-in at Little Hall Park (Highway 53 and Little Hall Road).

Launch from anywhere on Lake Lanier or fish from the bank! There will be trophies for the First, Second, and Third places. There will be no cash awards for the tournament, but there will be prizes that will be awarded by random drawing of those that participated. First place will be for the boat that catches, collects and releases the highest total number of individual striped bass (regardless of size). Second place will be for the boat that catches the longest striped bass (regardless of the total number). Third place will be for the boat that catches the shortest striped bass (regardless of the total number).

There will be two levels of prizes that will be awarded by a random drawing of participants:

General Level Registration Level:  $25.00 per boat.

The General Registration level is eligible for winning of the trophies and includes entry into the  general level prize drawings. The prizes at this level will include a Striper fishing rod and reel combo (additional prizes may be added).  All prizes will be drawn at random regardless of the success of the angler in the tournament.

LSBC Member Registration Level:  An additional $25.00 per boat for non-LSBC members or free to existing members of the LSBC

The LSBC Member registration includes entry into the LSBC member level prize drawings and a LSBC membership!.

Lowrance HDS-8 Gen2

The LSBC membership applies to the captain of the boat and not any additional team members participating on the boat.  The LSBC membership level prizes will include a Lowrance HDS 8 – Gen2 ($1800 value) , a Striper fishing rod and reel combo (additional prizes may be added).  All prizes will be drawn at random regardless of the success of the angler in the tournament.

Participants at all levels are encouraged to pre-register and pre-pay prior to the tournament.  Registration the day of the event will be available at Oakwood Bait and Tackle and Hammond Fishing Center. To be eligible for the awards/prizes, registrants must be at the weigh-in at Little Hall Park and must have fished the event. Non-participation in the tournament will result in disqualification from prize eligibility.

 First place will be determined by the total number of samples provided. Second and Third place (i.e. longest and shortest fish) require documentation via photo verification. So anglers will need to supply their own measuring stick and cell/digital camera for verification. Length will be measured to the 1/4” and rounded down for any measures not meeting a full ¼” increment (i.e. a 28 and 3/8” fish will be recorded as 28 and ¼”) . Images that do not show the full length of the fish from nose to tail or are not legible will not be accepted for eligibility for second or third place trophy consideration.  Any tie will be decided by coin toss.

998c SI Combo

A fund raising raffle will be available for a Humminbird 998c SI Combo ($2000 value). This is combination sonar, GPS, and side/down imaging unit that is upgradeable to the new 360 degree side imaging technology. Raffle tickets will be available online and also at the entry locations. Raffle entries do not need to be at the weigh-in to win. Tickets for the raffle will be $25 per ticket or 5 tickets for $100.  Raffle entrants for the Humminbird 998c need not be present for prize eligibility. The fund raising raffle entry information can be found here.

The event rules and event registration information is available as part of our particant package located here.

The LSBC would like to thank both Humminbird and Lowrance for their generous support of the Lake Lanier Striped Bass Fishery.

We asked 58 Lanier Striped Bass Fishermen

The LSBC handed out some Questionnaire’s at our first meeting. We asked about changing the bag limit &  poaching. 58 people turn in Questionnaires. Here are the results.

91.38% of anglers support a reduction in bag limits.  The question was “Would you support a decrease in the daily bag limit of stripers from 15 to 2?” – some people answered yes, but with a note that they would like to see the number put at 5.

65.52% of anglers believe poaching is a problem. Some commented that the problem is primarily the bank fishermen

The latest information from GA DNR/WRD

The LSBC would like to present a review of the information provided by Lanier’s fishery biologist Anthony Rabern, of the GA DNR/WRD Fisheries Division at the LSBC’s first meeting. This information was generated after the Fall Gill Netting sampling.  Each slide of the presentation will be shown, along with comments from the LSBC, please keep in mind that the LSBC are not fisheries people, so our interpretation of the data may differ from that of the GA
DNR/WRD.

GA DNR 2011 Lanier Striped Bass Gill Netting Chart

There has been a fairly steady decline in the gill netting results since 2006.  This correlates directly with what anglers have been experiencing. The 2011 netting is showing a rise in numbers, which is good.  Hopefully the increased stocking done in 2011 (617,000) will have a high recruitment index and the numbers will continue to rise.  The 2012 gill net sampling will tell us a great deal about the future of the Lanier striper fishery.

GA DNR 2011 Lanier Striped Bass Stocking & Recruitment Chart

Please carefully review the DNR notes contained on the above slide as there is some good information
there. The recruitment index (stocking survival) was very low in 2006, 2007 and 2009.  This is the primary cause of the current slow fishing.  2006 had .18 survival, 2007 .29 and 2009 had .36.  Fortunately both the 2008 & 2010 stockings had pretty good survival with a recruitment idexe of .73 and .77.  Getting more fish to survive thru their 1st year is going to be one of the primary items the LSBC focuses on. Lanier has gotten at 7.6 stripers per acre since 1998, so the DNR is going a pretty good job at meeting their targeted stocking goals.  As the DNR states in their notes, high stocking numbers DO NOT directly correlate with increased stocking survival and hence number of available stripers to be caught.  This could be due to many factors including but not limited to, increased stress from the increased number of striper fry being transported in the hauling tanks from the hatchery (crowding),weak/stressed fry due to lack of food in the grow out ponds at the hatchery, lack of food for the fry at the stocking locations, lack of cover at the stocking location or in highly stocked years, to many fry being stocked in too few locations, causing competition for food sources and increased stress/mortality.  The LSBC is working with the DNR on addressing some of these possibilities  to increase the survival rate.  The last line in the slide reads “Therefore, there is more to the population  equation then putting more fish in the lake!” – the LSBC couldn’t agree more – getting increased survival of the fish that are stocked is the key to the population equation!

GA DNR 2011 Lanier Striped Bass Size and Age Distribution Chart

The above slide show that most of the population captured in the fall 2011gill nets, is on the small side, with 72.8% of the fishing being stocked in 2009 (41.8%), 2010 (14.6%) and 2011 (16.4%).  Not sure why fish stocked in
2009 (which had a low recruitment index) is accounting for 41.8% of the sampling.

GA DNR Striper Population Status for 2012

Not much to say here, other than we agree. If you are looking to catch numbers of stripers  you should down size your tackle and use techniques & patterns that target smaller fishg in 2012.  Small fish tend to school more, spend more time in water less than 40 feet and relate more to brush.  We also recommend that you release your
small fish so future years will have good numbers of larger fish.

GA DNR Lanier Striped Bass Looking Beyond 2012

Things are currently looking good for 2013 & beyond. A lot will depend on the recruitment of both the increase stocking of 2011 and the planned increased stocking for 2012.  Go stripers!!

GA DNR 2011 Lanier Striped Bass Future Management Objectives

The coalition was pleased to see a target number of 15 fish per acre in 2012.  That’s 570,000 fry!!  Let’s hope the 2012 striper crop from the state’s hatcheries is a good one!!  If the water level in the spring of 2012 permits, there will be “Scale Tournament” to assist the DNR in gathering additional data to help manage the fishery.  Since the DNR does not currently have the funds for either a tagging study or a creel study the primary source of data for the striper fisheries management will be the angler survey.  We strong urge each angler to fill out anger reports, whether you decide to join the LSBC or not.  People have asked, should we will out a report if we don’t catch anything? The answer is a resounding YES, the DNR needs to know if the average angler is having difficultly catching striped bass on Lake Lanier.  The LSBC is also going to see how we can help out with the last two items.

 The LSBC would like to thank the GA DNR/WRD & Lake Lanier fisheries biologist Anthony Rabern for taking the time to compile & present this information to us and for their continuing hard work!

The LSBC also handed out survey sheets the meeting asking Lanier’s striped bass anglers what changes they would like to  see (if any), those results will be complied and published soon.

Over 100 people in attendance

Thanks to the various stakeholders of the Lanier Striped Bass Fishery the 1st LSBC meeting was an overwhelming success!! The coalition had approximately 110 people in attendance. There were recreational anglers, professional guides, striper club members and bait & tackle shop owners in attendance. We had to have BPS bring out additional chairs and it was still standing room only. A big thanks to all who attended, The Bass Pro Shops for hosting us and Anthony Rabern from the GA DNR/WRD for coming out and speaking! More to follow!!

A packed house at the Bass Pro Shops for the 1st Lanier Striped Bass Coalition Meeting!

An update from the Lanier Striper Bass Coalition

 Mike Maddalena, President of the Lanier Striped Bass Coalition tagged along with Anthony Rabern and Chris
Looney from the Georgia DNR/WRD while they performed their collection of the annual fall gill net samples. The gill net samples are one of the primary methods by which the Georgia DNR/WRD determines the health of the Striped Bass fishery on Lake Lanier. The numbers, size and plumpness factor (weight to length ratio) are all factors that they take into consideration. The sampling took place between October 25^th and October 28^th.

Below is a graph of recent gill net averages.

Lake Lanier Gill Net Chart

The collection method: The nets were set out in the afternoon and collected the following morning. The nets consist of a 200’ long by 8’ high 1.25-.5” mesh net, with heavy weights on the bottom, and floatation on the top. Nets are placed off of main lake points with long sloping bottoms, perpendicular to the shore. The nets run from the shore out to a depth of  16-25’ depending upon the slope of  bank. The fish are measured for weight and length; and scale samples are taken for the larger Stripers. Due to the nature of the gill nets, most samples of all species collected are deceased or mortally damaged. Healthy fish are released alive and the rest are disposed of.

Anthony (left) and Chris (right), hard at work, clearing a net.

The preliminary results: On Wednesday October 26th , a total of three nets were retrieved in the general vicinity of Shoal Creek, 6 Mile Creek, & Mud Creek. The nets yielded a preliminary average of 7 stripers per net. On Thursday October 27^th, a total of four nets were retrieved in the general vicinity of Sardis Creek,  River Forks, Chestatee Bay, and War Hill Park. The nets yielded a preliminary average of 7 stripers per net. On Friday October 28^th, a total of three nets were retrieved in the general vicinity of Wahoo Creek, Laurel Park, and Clarks Bridge. The nets yielded a preliminary average of 4 stripers per net.

Net full of Long Nose Gar

 The DNR is still organizing and reviewing the data, so all of these numbers are approximate based upon Mike’s observation and not any official measures. It is anticipated the Anthony Rabern will be discussing the outcome of the samples at the LSBC meeting at Bass Pro Shop on November 3, 2011 at 7:00pm.

  General observations: The most prevalent specie of fish collected was Longnose Gar (up to 60”), followed by Crappie & Gizzard Shad (up to 18”). Channel Catfish and Spotted Bass were next in abundance, followed by Striped Bass (up to 32”).   Walleye, White Bass and Largemouth Bass were also caught in limited numbers. No perch were collected in the samples.  Some samples showed signs of predation after being caught in the nets. If Mike remembers correctly, it was the first time Walleye have been collected in the fall gill nets.

A good number of large gizzards were collected. Mike was more interested in the gizzards then the stripers!!

Concerning the Striped Bass in particular; the samples yielded fish ranging from zero year class (fish stocked
this year), to six year class (fish stocked six years ago). The sizes of the fish ranged for 6” to 32” in length. Due to the small size of the gill net mesh, the larger fish are rarely caught (and the DNR was surprised that they netted Stripers as large as they did). The majority (again this is from Mike’s memory) of the fish samples were in the zero to one year class, which is the typical average and the numbers would appear to suggest that we will have an improving Striped Bass fishery in the coming years.

6 years of Lake Lanier Striper Stockings

 The Lanier Striped Bass Coalition is committed to lead in the conservation and preservation of striped bass on Lake
Lanier and to be a participating and active partner with all levels of government in successfully maintaining a
thriving and healthy population of striped bass on LakeLanier. We would like to encourage your active support of this organization by asking you to attend out inaugural public meeting at the Bass Pro Shop in Lawrenceville on November 3^rd, at 7:00pm in the Tracker Boat area. Capt. Clay Cunningham, Capt. Mack Farr, and GADNR Anthony Rabern will all be speaking about the Striped Bass fishery on Lake Lanier.

 http://www.lanierstripedbasscoalition.org/

Here are the Oct 6th 2011 Lake Lanier Temp/DO readings for the Hwy. 53 Bridge, Bolling Bridge, Hwy. 369 Bridge and the Buford Dam Forebay.  We will post updates as they become available from the Wild Life Resources Division (WRD) of Georgia Department of Natural Resources (GADNR).

Overall, the reading are right in line with other years and with the cooling water temps the fish are able to start spreading out lake wide. Not much 02 below 50 ft so don’t plan on fishing deep.

Lanier Temp/Dissovled O2 Report – Oct 6th 2011 Dam Forebay

Lanier Temp/Dissovled O2 Report – Oct 6th 2011 HWY 369

Lanier Temp/Dissovled O2 Report – Oct 6th 2011 HWY 53

Lanier Temp/Dissovled O2 Report – Oct 6th 2011 Boiling Bridge

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The latest information on the LSBC

The Lanier Striped Bass Coalition, Inc. (LSBC) will hold it’s inaugural  meeting @ 7:00pm on Thursday Nov 3rd at the Bass Pro Shops in Lawrenceville, GA, in the Tracker Boat Center.  Bass Pro Shops is  located at 5900 Sugarloaf Parkway, Lawrenceville, GA 30043.

The LSBC is an organization where all stakeholders (recreational anglers, striper club members, fishing guides, bait stores, etc.) in Lanier’s striped bass fishery can band together to lead in the conservation and preservation of striped bass on Lake Lanier.

We invite all interested parties to come out and see first hand what we are all about.  Our initial goals are to work with the GA DNR/WRD, thru an angler survey on our website, ensuring successful production of striper fry, by working with the state hatchery program and increasing the survival of the stocked fry, thru assisting the WRD with the actual  stocking.

We are a membership based non-profit organization, dedicated to the striper fishery, together we can and will make a difference!

You can download a copy of our 1st meeting flyer.

The latest information on the LSBC

The LSBC will be holding our first meeting soon, our target date is Tues Nov 1st. The board of directors is still hashing out the meeting location.

We have the angler survey that the DNR/WRD requested up and running and it is located at  Angler Survey . It would be of great benefit to all striper anglers if as many people as possible start filling out the survey as possible.  A detailed location is NOT required, though you can fill that out of you desire.  Only Anthony Rabern of the DNR and myself have access to the data. You can use an alias instead of your real name if you wish, just use the same alias consistently.

Please do not use the LSBC store at this time, that is a work in progress.

We also have our facebook page up at  LSBC Facebook Page – if you use facebook please “like” us, even if you don’t plan on attending the meeting or joining the LSBC. There is strength in numbers!

Here are the officers of the coalition.

President:  Capt. Mike Madelena

Vice President: Capt. Clay Cunningham

Treasurer: Bryan Brueck

Secretary:Brett Wendel

Officer at Large: Larry Brenner

More information on the dues structure and meeting location will be forth coming shortly.  Thanks for your support!

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