We are primarily bass fisherman. We used to do a lot of drift fishing across the bays along weed lines and pick them up all the way across. You didn't hammer them all the time, but you had enough action to keep you occupied and entertained, and it was fun to fish where others were not generally fishing as much. If one does that now, you might go an entire morning without a single take. If you want action these days the only option you have is to hit the points. That works, but that's also where everyone else goes. Maybe it's the weeds, or maybe its something else, but from what I can tell, the bass are crowded on the rock points and so are the fishermen. It makes for a disaster of over harvests, especially when you have idiots bringing in stringers of them day after day for their entire weeklong stay. Don't get me wrong, I love bass fillets, and we usually keep a couple fish per person (self imposed slot limit between 15'' and 17'') but that's far from bringing in 10 per day for 4 or 5 days like we see boneheads (primarily hicks from Pennsylvania) do every year!
So what gives? I've heard all the theories. I've heard over harvest. I've heard it's the weeds (invasive). I've heard its the countless tournaments and the fact that these fish are getting displaced due to not getting released back at the catch location. I've also heard that the bridge in Edwardsville is restricting the flow (natural current and wind driven) that historically helped flush the lake, slowing eutrophication. Whatever it is, I think some significant research needs to be had to figure it out.
Black Lake used to be a fisherman's paradise, but I'm afraid it's turning into a fisherman's purgatory.
Tight lines!
Line Wetter