Red Fleet update

[fishnate]

I know there was a fair amount of interest concerning Red Fleet when it was being treated with rotenone and I thought I'd give a little update for those who may be interested.

I went out last weekend and fished it for the first time since it was treated. I pretty well verified what the DWR folks told me. I caught wipers 6" long (I didn't catch any of the 19" reported), perch 5" to 6" (I didn't catch any larger ones), skinny walleye 8" to 9" (I didn't catch any of the few 13" size reported).

Also available are black crappie, mountain whitefish, tiger trout, cutthroat trout and a few rainbows.

Things are coming along nicely, but just don't go there and expect to catch many decent sized fish unless you target trout. The predators have wiped out the fathead minnows and much of this years perchlings, so a supplemental stocking of fatheads is being planned soon. Additional fingerling trout may also be added as a sport and food supply to help out the predators. For now the walleye, wiper, and perch seem to be eating crayfish. Trout, whitefish and crappie are munching invertebrates.
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[gofish435]

Thanks for the report and pics.

It will be interesting to see how all the different species get along and grow. It's too bad it's so far for me to drive or I would like to try it. I enjoy multiple species waters and you can't get more diverse than Red Fleet.[]

You said it was the first time you'd fished it since the treatment but when you were there did it seem like there were more folks fishing than in the past? I heard it was getting to a popular place in the basin.
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[fishnate]

It is a popular spot for the power squad throughout the summer months. I was there on a Saturday and I didn't see a single other angler, which didn't surprise me since the size of fish is still so small on average. I've never seen more than a few anglers on there even before the treatment. I know the DWR is hoping that will change as the fish mature and word gets out. The Basin anglers are still very locked in to the trout mentality. They know what largemouth and bluegill are because of Pelican, but many still have no clue what wiper, walleye, crappie or perch are. It should be a great place by next spring. I hope, by then the walleye should be in the low teens and most of the wiper should be of interesting size and crappie will hopefully be close to eating size. Seems like adequate forage is the primary challenge right now so that is what the DWR is working on to get the fish over the winter. At least with sterile wiper and walleye in the lake they can better balance predator/prey through stocking.
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[gofish435]

Thanks for the information.

I may have to make an effort to get over there in the spring, before the power squadron shows up. I've never fished it in my tube, it sounds like it would be fun.
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[fishnate]

Because I fish from shore there a lot, I often forget the area north of the boat ramp is wakeless so that's a great option to escape the noise and waves. It's also one of the better parts of the lake to fish.
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[gofish435]

That is good to know, thanks!
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