Bass affecting Walleye population?

[BigChief]

I have to imagine that the walleye and smallies can coexist since many fishing shows feature fishing for both in the same lakes.  In addition, here is an interesting abstract from the Indinana DNR:
Interestingly, they found no clear or consistent relationship between walleye and smallmouth bass, suggesting that these two species are much more likely to be found together with much less competition between them, perhaps not as surprising given that they're both considered cool-water, mesotrophic creatures.

@BH these do not seem to be like normal smallies. Most people say smallies are harder to catch then largemouth. Doesn't seem to be the case with these ones. They are almost like piranha. I actually hate to catch them now as most completely swallow the jig and I usually have to cut 10ft of line off from being messed up so bad.

@CaptainCrappie maybe TBL introduced them to play to another fisherman segment or because the walleye fishing was not as good up that end.

[RHYBAK]

The rumor is that they were not intentionally introduced.

One of the back lakes containing smallmouth flooded over one year and the bass were washed into Kipawa and have spread.
Something we have to live with now.
Enjoy the extra species.

[JLG]

My 2 cents:  Took my wife to Kip for 1st time in 2003 (took my son a few years earlier for 1 time) and have returned every year with exception of 2017 and I agree with PETERBFLY.   Was told no smallies however one morning my wife caught one about 9 inches at what was called sand point (Taggart Bays go to spot).  Outfitters at that time said no smallies but over the next few years we picked up smallies more consistently in that end of the lake.  By 07 or 08 we were catching them in the sanctuary and I believe the outfitters by than knew and admitted they were there. 

Have not kept track but do know our numbers on eyes have consistently dropped since than.   We do not target them but catch them right with the eyes so they are competing.

I don't see the forage base that other lakes like erie and southern Ontario have so have to wonder what they are eating to attain the size (and numbers) they are now.  Have never seen  a MINISTRY opinion but have to wonder why they were so worried about introduced species they banned use of live minnows and later frozen certified disease free minnows from use but don't seem to care about the intro of bass and now have seasons and limits on them.

Even tho the Bass are fun and great fighters We go to Kip strictly for the eyes and trout and miss being able to catch the trout by the minnow method so the increased restrictions as well as reduced eye numbers are making me reevaluate for future trips North.(we have no problem with the slots limits). 

[BigChief]

@RHYBAK that makes sense about a back lake spilling over. TBL's catch and release bass lake empties right into the main lake. So it could have easily overflowed and brought the bass in. And it could be continuing to do so when the rain is bad.

[limacharley]

Or they could have been introduced from the bilge or livewell of a boat from the the outside??

As a lease owner, I recently received a pamphlet describing the various invasive species that could be brought in from other lakes..
They stressed to clean out your hull, disinfect your bilge and live wells, anchor ropes, tie down ropes etc. Wash everything down with bleach...

Those of you who bring their boat to Kipawa, take head of these warnings.

[Ozzy30]

We target the smallies in the fall at home and it is amazing when they are gorging themselves.  Mid summer you can go out and get a normal bag of 5 smallies and be about 13-17lbs.  Same lake 2-3 months later and that bag turns into 22-26lbs.  The big ones are cruising all over the place.

[PETERBFLY]

They are definitely a very fun fish to catch no doubt about it, but not why we go to Kipawa to fish.  When the Bass exploded on the scene  I remember having a discussion regarding how they may affect other species in the lake. With that being said we have been paying close attention to our numbers  and the walleye are the only numbers that have cut in half over the last five years.  Is it a big coincidence? I’ve been fishing long enough to know that it is probably the bass affecfting the Walleye population.  Slot limit in place for three years now and we are catching 50% less than what we use to.  Common sense tells me Kipawa is slowly turning into a Smallmouth Bass lake and the Walleye will become the bye catch in the next 10 years.  For those of you go fish the southern half of the lake where the bass have not made it yet be patient.  They’re coming in full force

[T-Bone]

Slot limit in place for three years now and we are catching 50% less than what we use to.  Common sense tells me Kipawa is slowly turning into a Smallmouth Bass lake and the Walleye will become the bye catch in the next 10 years.  For those of you go fish the southern half of the lake where the bass have not made it yet be patient.  They’re coming in full force

I don't know...Kipawa and the surrounding area is an awfully big system...I can't imagine the whole thing being overrun by a single species, at least in our lifetime. And as mentioned there are plenty of great walleye/smallie lakes all over the US and Canada. Maybe you're walleye success decline over the past few years is just a cycle. We have great years and some not-so-great years...you're just stringing a few not-so-great years together. "Catching" success doesn't seem to be a complaint out of others fishing the NE arm. And not unlike how the walleye are not that plentiful down by the town of Kipawa, maybe they're just not that plentiful up around there anymore.

Most people on this board know my opinion and it always stirs things up, but I think over-harvest is a bigger issue than the smallmouth bass...like keeping fish is a just reward and evidence of your prowess as an angler.

That was more of a whisking than a simple stir... 

15...

[RHYBAK]

T-bone
Good points and thanks for biting your tongue .

Eat Bass
Release walleye

[PETERBFLY]

We are the catch and release group, so its not us filling the stringers.  We usually keep around a dozen Walleye every year and thats it.  Maybe that is also a contributing factor?  More fisherman on the lake taking too many out and most of the bass are returned after being caught?

[limacharley]

Maybe someone needs to post their best bass recipes on here. I used to eat bass a long time ago. Deep fried.

Haven't seen one in Hunter's lake at all. Nor heard of one caught.
Maybe Wayne or the Alwaki crew can chime in.

[T-Bone]

I've heard of a few caught around Sunnyside...Mattie got a small one last year...probably see more this year. If we do you will know.

And I think Mr. Rhybak is just being nice to me today....I know he (any others) love to eat fresh walleye up there and I really have no issue with that. That equates to each angler keeping one 'eye per day. That I fear is not the case. I remember when TBL used to do a weekly fish fry for their guests...had to go through 40-50 fish per event. It's a nice little treat and cool marketing tool, but needless expense on the resource. I think they stopped doing that several years back though...thankfully.

It's seems simple to me....keep it if YOU are going to eat it that day...if not, throw it back.

Still 15.... 

[RHYBAK]

Probably a repeat thought or question but does anybody know if the Natives are netting the lake.?
They do on Nippising.
It is there right.
How about in Quebec?

[T-Bone]

It is my understanding that is practiced on Lac Kipawa.

[RHYBAK]

Just practiced or do they have it down pat?

If that's the case ,stop blaming the darn bass for the catch decline.
Bitch about the netting and not the Bass.