Smallmouth in Central Area of Lake

[T-Bone]

Thought I'd start a new thread on this as I'm confident there will be talk. Then again...maybe not. We'll see.

I have a few questions.

I've been going to Kipawa since 2000; never heard of a smallmouth in there before 2010 or so (approximately). The 'population' seems to have started up in NE arm; Taggart Bay, Smith Bay, up in that area north of Two Moon Lodge...etc....at least that seems to be where we heard about them first. When we stayed at TBL in around 2007...there were no smallies in the lake that anyone was aware of. To fish for them, we had to go to a "back lake". So my question is...how did they get into the main part of the lake? Massive rain and runoff from an adjacent back lake?

Given the fast proliferation and movement through the large body of water, I'd have to predict some effect on other fishing. And, just thinking about what I've read over the years, I'm not aware of any premier walleye lake that has smallmouth in it. Plenty of lakes where walleye and smallies coexist, but typically the smallmouth are the larger population. Do you think Kipawa can sustain being a great walleye fishery with this seemingly exploding population of smallies?

Has fishing for walleyes in the past 6-7 in the NE arm of the changed at all for those of you that go to TBL, Two Moon, 3 Seasons, et al?  Better? Worse? About the same? We didn't have much luck in that area around 2005, so my baseline is way off.

Interested in others thoughts on this. But in general, I'm a little bummed Greg caught a smallie at Sunnyside.

8....

[Fort Wisers]

I agree on being a touch bummed, and yes I think you're right on this causing some discussion.

I grew up spending many summers on Kipawa as a kid and continue to try and get there often to see family on the lake,"back in the day" we considered bass to be a "southern lake" species.....never heard anything of them on Kipawa other than they simply weren't in the lake.

As for how they got here, I've heard rumors of stocking but it's just that, a rumor.
Maybe the eggs came in (inadvertently) in someone's live well?
I agree though that an introduction of a species has to have some effect (good, bad or indifferent) on what is naturally there.
I wonder if Christina Moreau has any insight on this situation (she's the one who was doing all the tagged studied a while back)?

Very interested to hear where this goes.....

[Canuckbass]

Lake of the Woods has an amazing walleye and smallmouth fishery, nothing to worry about.

[RHYBAK]

Is Nippissing not the same?

[Fort Wisers]

Both great points, and yes @RHYBAK you are correct...

[puckster_guy]

This is what I wrote in another post...
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Re: New guy over here!
« Reply #14 on: Today at 08:18:04 AM »

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Hi Greg. I'm following the spread of Bass thru the chain of lakes that make up Kip. They're slowly advancing east in the lake. It's only a matter of time before they get to the red pine area. My understanding is they were around Corbeau. I'm curious how long till they invade Hunter Lake. I don't care one way or the other of they show up or not. I doubt they'll displace the walleye population. Seems to me there's plenty of food to go around. They also eat each other so it'll set up an interesting dynamic. I spent almost 20 yrs fishing for them on Georgian Bay. Almost miss them. I do plan on spending a day or two fishing for them towards Alwaki later this summer. They are fun to catch and not bad eating too.

It fits here I alo think it won't make much difference.They occupy different types of structure, with some overlap' On a Perry Sound lake I was cruising around and saw some fish on the bottom at 45 feet. I dropped a jig down there expecting a walleye. I was shocked to be hauling up bass. Almost jet black. That Lake also has an awesome Walleye fishery. Based on all of the above, for me it's another fish to target when I feel like it. Not to mention Perch, Pike and lakers. Methinks it could make the lake more fun tofish. Fish populations could seesaw till a balance is found.

[Greg]

I'm not to bummed out, in fact, I will be the optimist.  I think it may bring some added benefits...

I like catching a variety of species on any fishing trip... I usually fish my weekends near my home in eastern Ottawa on the Ottawa river, and it is nothing for a buddy and I to go out for 4 hours on a Sunday morning and catch a large mouth, small mouth, pike and walleye in any 4 hour period - all in the same bay even!! 

No big deal, they seem to live together.  Perch, other pan fish and a couple other odd/unique species can be caught as well (caught an 8lb gar pike once, and there are lots of musky and even some sturgeon).

Others have pointed out some lakes and I have also been to some smaller lakes where bass and walleye co-exist just fine.

Just my 2 cents.

[Greg]

An actual picture of the culprit... 6:13am - July 19

[T-Bone]

Like I said...love smallies so maybe I'm not that bummed. It just changes things somehow.

[kipawa4]

  What are the regulations for smallmouth on Kipawa lake? Sizes? Limits? Seasons? 

[puckster_guy]

6 Bass no slot or size limit.

[RHYBAK]

What is wrong with a few Bass??

http://kipawafishingforum.net/index.php?action=gallery;sa=view;pic=96

[puckster_guy]

Nice catch.