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Re: How many trout do these diving birds really eat?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jigman13 (Post 397658)

I caught a few largies in colonial last yr, about 2 lbs each, on white spinnerbaits ripped along the bank by the boat launch. There was a bunch elsewhere cruising around but wouldn't take.

You are correct on the number of cormorants over there. For a lake of that size, it has easily got to be the most densely populated with those birds. They'll wipe out half of the stocked fish by tomorrow...if not more.

I used to live 5 minutes from colonial and i can echo your statement about the number of cormorants there.

Today i scouted out a small stocked lake in Monmouth co and struck up a conversation with park ranger, he estimates that the cormorants there will take 1/3-1/2 of the stocked trout. This to me beyond ridiculous given the $ spent on licences and trout stamps and the time and effort the DoW&G puts into trout stocking.

Re: How many trout do these diving birds really eat?

Today a state volunteer was taking a fish and cormorant count, he mentioned that people were complaining that they are eating all the trout so possibly the state is trying to alleviate the problem?

Re: How many trout do these diving birds really eat?

Quote:

Originally Posted by Gerry Zagorski (Post 397652)

They are evil and smart...

Was down in Florida fishing on a boat in Pine Island Sound. As soon as you stop the boat, they come to check you out to see if you're going to fish. If not, they move on, if they see a fishing pole they are going to hang out in the distance and see if you catch anything.

As soon as you catch a fish and try and release it they are on it like a Hobo on a muffin. These birds don't miss. They are not shy either... We tried yelling casting stuff at them etc and they would not leave. I'm thinking a paint ball gun might work :mad:

Like a hobo on a muffin???
funny