Quote:
Originally Posted by "W"
When you close the weirs for a long period of time "YES" it hurts the estuary and fishing numbers show for it
Weirs been open for 3 weeks now and fishing is wonderful but watch when then close em back , I give it two weeks then the decline again
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No doubt that exchange of forage and fish between the marsh and lake contribute to the health and productivity of finfish in the lake.
But it's just silly to think fish above the 12" limit for specks and 16" limit for redfish appear and disappear from the entire fishery with the opening and closing of the weirs.
Opening the weirs puts the fish in a convenient, known location and makes them easier to catch. Closing the weirs forces the fish to roam over larger areas to meet theit forage requirements, thus requiring more skill to locate and catch them.
This year, bait fish are especially abundant in the estuary, especially croaker and menhaden. The closing of the pogey plant has probably contributed here, as has the late start to the shrimping season which has the effect of reducing bycatch mortality of bait fish. When the weirs are closed, the fish are spread far and wide chasing the bait fish, harder to catch, but getting plenty to eat.
The habitat issues need to be addressed to ensure long term productivity and stability. But the sky is not falling, and the weirs are not the most important issue facing the system.