Red Ear Sunfish
- Thread starter Squirrel
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upthecreek
Well-Known Member
It seems that introducing red ears and possibly gobys would help preserve a fishery moving forward. Something needs to be done.
upthecreek
Well-Known Member
Not supposing that the red ear or gobys are going to fix the mussel problem. But while they are eating as many mussels as they can , they will be a new food source for the other species that are suffering because of the infestation. If the water filtering mussels are depleting the shad, then a replacement or 2 would be beneficial. If it can be done at the mussels expense then the more the better. My understanding of gobys in the great lakes is that they are a big help to the walleye and smallmouth.
You have done your homework well. Redear sunfish in Lake Havasu and gobys in the Great Lakes have become an excellent forage fish for other fish species.
The unknown problem is how they would impact the native fish and sport fish in the Colorado River reservoirs and also in the river upstream and down. We need more time to make sure that the current fish assemblage can withstand mussel invasion or if they need more help from Redear. So far the fish populations are holding their own against the mussels.
It is not likely that Gobys can be intentionally introduced due to their history of being an invader from a foreign country without any management plan. If they continue to provide great forage in the Great Lakes that opinion may change but not in the next 5 years. It will take a while with more research and studies before it can be considered.
upthecreek
Well-Known Member
I understand completely when viewed through that lens. My question, and I want to ask it without offending, comes from a view through a different lens. The mussels are non-native to be sure. They are a detriment to non-native and native fish alike, in reservoirs that are equally artificial to the eco-system in question. I think that the cat is already out of the bag here and solutions need to look forward instead of looking back.
By the way, it is snowing like a son of a gun here. More fish habitat on the way.
By the way, it is snowing like a son of a gun here. More fish habitat on the way.
I understand completely when viewed through that lens. My question, and I want to ask it without offending, comes from a view through a different lens. The mussels are non-native to be sure. They are a detriment to non-native and native fish alike, in reservoirs that are equally artificial to the eco-system in question. I think that the cat is already out of the bag here and solutions need to look forward instead of looking back.
By the way, it is snowing like a son of a gun here. More fish habitat on the way.
I agree, but we have to get all biologists and administrators in 7 states (Colorado River Basin) to agree before this can happen. There has been no intentional stocking of any new fish species in the Colorado River since 1982.
And Yes we need all the snow we can get. I had to shovel snow again this morning in Page, AZ.
Edward Gerdemann
Well-Known Member
I found that they hold to same structures as bluegills and even intermingle with them, however I've not seen any evidence of interbreeding with bluegills like I have with green sunfish and bluegills.
Ed Gerdemann
BarzArz
Well-Known Member
Growing up in Missouri, we fished a lot at the Shell-Osage Wildlife Conservation Area. Mostly a waterfowl area developed by the Missouri Conservation Department. We were told of a small lake with "Red Ear Perch" in it (we called everything Perch that was not a crappie, cat or bass...back then)
It was so small we had to hand launch our 14' alum boat, but did we catch giant red ear! Each time we went it was amazing, lasted for a couple of years before that portion of the conservation area was closed. In hindsight, I suspect nothing over 1-1/2 lbs., but that was bigger than any bluegill or crappie that we were catching at that time!
To the point, they tasted like bluegill, which was our favorite, other than crappie. So, as I recall, excellent table-fare!
No idea if its a good thing or bad thing to introduce them, that's a decision well beyond my paygrade, but I can assure you, the ones we fried up when I was a pre-teen Missouri hayseed, still stand out for size, fight and flavor!
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Gem Morris
Keeper of San Juan Secrets
I say talk up the benefits of red eared sunfish to the managers on the Navajo Indian Reservation and after they're planted there just wait.
It worked for gizzard shad.
I CAN'T believe I said that!! I hope I don't get banned!!
It worked for gizzard shad.
I CAN'T believe I said that!! I hope I don't get banned!!
I say talk up the benefits of red eared sunfish to the managers on the Navajo Indian Reservation and after they're planted there just wait.
It worked for gizzard shad.
I CAN'T believe I said that!! I hope I don't get banned!!
If it is the right thing to do then I want to be the one that makes that decision for Lake Powell. But it is a lifetime event that cannot be reversed. Give us a little more time. Please do not bring fish to Lake Powell without authorization.
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