High Hopes For Growth

article by DAN CHASON

A couple of my favorite lakes have some features that are very common. When I was an avid tournament fisherman, it was hard to sleep when I was near the shores of Toledo Bend, Sam Rayburn, Lake Fork and yes, Caney Lake. You see, these lakes had some very similar features with the one feature that grows big bass. That feature was grass. There are many species of grass to be found in just about every body of water. There is what we refer to as “good grass” and “bad grass.” I will concentrate on good grass as that seems to be the most misunderstood thing when it comes to bass fishing.

There is an old saying that “grass makes bass” and there is not a truer statement ever made. I once did a television show flipping grass on Caney Lake and when I said one thing on air, there was almost an uprising that took place afterwards. I can remember pulling up at Little Bucks on Caney and having to sit in line for 45 minutes just to launch my boat. In the early 90’s that was the norm. Boats from all over, not only locally but boats from out of state were making the trip to attempt to capture that elusive trophy bass. I made the statement that “I have never seen a ski boat from Wisconsin in line to ski at Caney, but I’ve sure seen a lot of bass boats from there and other far away states lined up to bass fish.”

What you have to understand about tourism dollars is that if we attracted 500 fisherman to an area lake who reside in our state, we are not making headway. When we bring or attract events and people from outside of the area, that is new money. New money is what businesses need in our area whether it be from fuel, food or lodging dollars spent to fish. What happened to Caney was partially mismanagement but mostly due to the aging of a lake and a natural cycle. Too many carp, not enough forage fish (like shad) and no other method to manage grass was in place.

Good grass comes in basically three varieties: hydrilla, coon tail and eel grass. All of these types of the best cover for baitfish which in turn is good cover for baby fish or fry. The issue with hydrilla which can be found on Caney is that it tops out. Sail boats, ski boats and jet skis do not navigate hydrilla well as in the summer, the grass “tops out” or mats to provide cover. It is very much alive and if you take a temperature gauge in July for example, you will see a significant cooler temperature within this mat. This gives life to the lake as it protects what otherwise would be eaten or scattered/suspended due to the heat.

What this means for a fisherman is that most shallow water fisherman will not find bass shallow as the lake cycles. These fish will move out to ledges and deeper water to find suitable food and cover. The grass is the life blood of a lake.

If you look at Fork, Rayburn or Toledo there used to be miles of hydrilla that could be fished. All of these lakes went through a period where the hydrilla died off and the fishing died with it. It wasn’t the fact that the fish were gone. Areas where you could pull into one area and catch a limit were now void of big bass. They weren’t gone, they just moved. When big fish move they are very difficult to locate and almost impossible to pattern for big numbers of catches.

What that means for lake owners, fisherman and water sports enthusiasts is to understand that cycle. When LDWF placed 12,500 grass carp in Caney Lake, it accelerated the cycle. I remember seeing grass carp wallowing in the shallows like sharks and with it went the good fishing. I also remember the same areas, pitching hydrilla and catching multiple 6 plus pound bass without ever cranking by big motor for the day. There is a fair medium. The medium is to physically control bad grass. Giant salvania is the enemy of everyone who enjoys being on the water. This grass is the worst you can find and can be found on just about every lake in North Louisiana. This was the same issue faced in Black Bayou north of Monroe and is still an issue today, although on a smaller scale. Physical efforts such as barriers, spraying and removal has gotten it under control.

But the gem of our area is on a comeback. Caney Lake is now seeing some hydrilla coming back and with it you will see bigger bass this year. But there is one thing that needs to be addressed still today. In other states, there are good efforts to limit the transportation of bad grass. This is accomplished by requiring boats and trailers to be cleaned of grass when moving from or entering into a body of water. It only takes a small amount of grass and it can easily be transported to another body of water. You cannot prevent grass transportation as it can also be moved via birds and other wildlife. But we can make a difference with this one simple exercise.

The grass fishing will be great this summer and again we will enter the discussions on what is right for Caney. Is it right to hamper lake property owners from enjoying their lake life? Is it right to deny businesses in and near the lake to suffer losses because the fishing isn’t what it could be? Everyone has their point of view and perspective. And no one is necessarily wrong for having their point of view. But there is one fact. The fact is that everyone benefits from good lake management whether it be Caney, D’Arbonne, Claiborne or Cheniere. Property values are directly affected by the desire to have a place where you can enjoy all of what nature provides. The question is: can we find a fair medium?