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Kentucky Dept. of Fish and Wildlife Resources News
Officials implement emergency fish regulation for Lake Cumberland
Sept. 1, 2010
FRANKFORT, Ky. – Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Commissioner Dr. Jon Gassett today issued a Wildlife Disaster Contingency Measure for Lake Cumberland which increases the creel limits and reduces size requirements for striped bass. Because of high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels, striped bass are under severe stress and in some cases, dying.
“It makes sense to allow these fish to be harvested for food,” said Kentucky Fish and Wildlife Fisheries Director Ron Brooks. “This regulation will also limit the fishing pressure on our remaining striped bass.”
Gassett took the action pursuant to Regulation 301 KAR 3:040. These temporary changes supersede all regulations concerning fishing in Lake Cumberland.
Emergency Regulations in Effect
The emergency regulations mean anglers may only catch two striped bass over 22 inches. Anglers must not catch and release striped bass over 22 inches, as these released fish are likely to die. After an angler catches two striped bass over 22 inches, the angler must stop fishing for striped bass. However, a licensed angler may catch two and net or hand grab three additional striped bass over 22 inches that are floating on the surface. Licensed anglers not fishing for striped bass may harvest five striped bass over 22 inches net or hand grab that are floating on the surface.
For all other fish species in Lake Cumberland, existing size and creel limits will remain in effect; however, dying fish may be harvested by a licensed angler using a landing net or by hand grabbing.
Deteriorating Water Conditions
State and federal officials have been closely monitoring water conditions for walleye and striped bass in Lake Cumberland throughout the summer.
Biologists noticed a number of striped bass were either dead or dying due to high water temperatures and low dissolved oxygen levels. With continued hot weather forecast, water conditions will likely continue to deteriorate. These conditions are particularly stressful to cool-water species such as striped bass and walleye. Fisheries biologists expect the occurrence of dead or dying fish to continue during the next three to four weeks.
The record summer heat and two major rainfalls since spring have raised water temperatures and reduced dissolved oxygen in Lake Cumberland to levels that cool water fish species like striped bass and walleye cannot tolerate for extended periods. Fish species that are more tolerant of warmer water, such as smallmouth and largemouth bass, crappie and bluegill, are not as affected by the current conditions.
“We hope that the cooler nights will alleviate some of the problems by dropping the water temperature,” said Brooks. ”We’re keeping a close eye on this situation and monitoring the impact on the fish.”
Lake Cumberland is being kept below its normal summer pool while repairs are ongoing to Wolf Creek Dam. The lower lake levels mean it cannot store as much cool water below or above the thermocline where there is enough oxygen for the cool-water fish.
Walleye and striped bass are especially susceptible to higher water temperatures. The increased stress on walleye and striped bass caught by anglers during the hottest weather conditions can lead to higher mortality of these species.
“Anglers catching these species should not release or attempt to cull legal fish at this time,” Brooks said.
“We are seeing mortality of mostly stripers this week,” Brooks continued. “We believe those fish succumbed to a combination of factors, but primarily from prolonged poor water conditions. A few had likely been caught and released by anglers during the past day or two. Most of the fish were in areas of the lake where conditions were very poor and caused additional continuous stress that they could not overcome.”
Continued Monitoring
In the meantime, officials will constantly monitor the lake temperatures and oxygen levels at the various depths and locations in the lake and quantify the fish kills occurring.
“Lake Cumberland is an important fishing destination and tourist draw for this region of the United States,” Brooks said. “We are concerned about this situation and will continue to keep a close watch on the lake.”
Tailwater conditions for trout, at this time, are favorable. Conditions in the lake’s tailwater are slightly better this year than in the past two years.
“The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, which operates Lake Cumberland’s Wolf Creek Dam, is working closely with other agencies to monitor water conditions in the lake and its tailwater. Corps officials are also continually adjusting the flow of water from the dam to help support the tailwater’s trout fishery and maintain favorable conditions in the Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery,” said Bob Sneed, water management chief for the Corps’ Nashville District. The hatchery draws water for its operation from the lake and the tailwater.
“We’re cooperating closely with Kentucky Fish and Wildlife and the employees of the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service’s Wolf Creek National Fish Hatchery to find the best solutions within some of the constraints that we face,” Sneed said.
Administrator
Was down there last weekend and heard from somebody there this week. This is greatly needed. I would think it will be lifted near mid Sept when the surface temp cools down to below 78 or less. Plenty of oxygen in top 25 feet. Just too hot there for the big fish to spend much time there. My opinion/guess. Let the bioolgist figure it out.
Junior Member
KDFWR is making the tough choices. Cumberland is one of our top lakes. I guarantee if something was making a dramatic change at KY lake, they would be on top of it. Its funny though, as a fisherman, I was worried about what was going to happen below the dam once they took the lake down. Good thing I have a day job!
Senior Member
Peter, thanks for the post. Glad the KDFWR is taking some action, just hope it is enough.As much as I like to striper fish, I haven't been for several weeks now. Would not brother me, if they suspended all striper fishing till ~end of September/early October. But, also know this would be a hardship for some of the local guides.
Senior Member
I sure will be glad when the repair work to the dam is complete.
Administrator
When the lake comes back up might be tough in the spring to pull shallow near the banks with all the bushes and 20 foot tall trees that will be under water. Snag city. The tops of some of those trees can look like fish on a fish finder.
Some body come up with a plan.
Senior Member
I'm glad they are doing something. Maybe this will be the start of the seasonal regulations many of us have been asking for. This is pretty much my signal that the only equipment that should be used for catching stripers might be a landing net at this time.
For anyone that has been down of late, how are the walleye and the bait fish holding up?
Member
Re: Emergency Regulations Lake Cumberland-Striper
Kill em all!
Member
I have been fishing for stripers on LC for probably 15 years or more and im not entirely sure of this new regulation. Since the mortality rate is considerably higher on fish that are caught and released in water temps exceeding 70 Degrees, Why can we not have a "season" in place during the months when the water temp on average is higher than 70 possibly close the season during the months when the mortality rate is higher and re-open the season when the mortality rate is lower, (Such as mid July -mid September closed.) This could be put in place until the lake returns to normal. I could be entirely wrong in thinking this and some will probably think I am crazy. I don’t feel like this will help the fishing pressure on the fish currently in the lake now but only hurt the population. If that is the intent then by all means keep 5 @22" Just my .02 This is not a new problem we all know that the mortality rate is higher in the summer months weather the lake is at 723 or 680. The situation is just made worse by the lower lake levels.
Super Moderator
Got a real reason for this, or is it the usual uneducated knee-jerk response that stripers are eating everything else in the lake? They are not.Originally Posted by KR
Andrew
Senior Member
A bit off subject but related. Am I the only one that does not expect the lake to ever be brought back up to it's pre-drawdown level of 720? I believe that the powers to be will bring it back up but only partially, probably 700. I believe the decision will be based on two main factors. 1) All necessary low water adjustments have been made by now (water intake, ramps, etc...) and most importantly 2) protection of the huge investment of the repair. 20 extra feet in elevation translates into a bunch more pressure on the dam, specifically the earthened portion and the associated limestone, which is the weak link. I understand the financial impact that the drawdown has had to the local economy, but a partial rise in the water level will bring back most of the people that have stayed away due to inaccurate reporting (and some malicious) that they drained the lake. They have to protect the investment. Just my opinion.
Senior Member
This actually makes sence to me.Although I have not been fishing for stripers on CL yet I believe a season to protect these fish is a great idea. Many states have seasons for different species at it seems to work so why not on stripers. And if any of you pros happened to see my red skeeter on the lake this fall looking lost feel free to point me in the right direction.
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