Holmes Lake

Nov 22 2010

Brian Akers

Fry

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
32

  Fished Holmes Lake half day PM on 11/20. The wind was ridiculous. I’ve seen small lakes white cap, however, this is the first time I’ve fished one.

  I caught 6 fish total, 5 under 16” that weighed 7 lbs total. I caught 1 that was 17” that weighed 3.11.lbs. These fish looked prespawn and full of eggs but it was just well fed fish.

  My 20 lb anchor barely held when it was sunk in the weeds. It just slowed the drift down a little if it wasn’t. If it did hold for a while the waves came over the side of the boat.

  Holmes is a quality site to produce fish under really bad conditions. The fish are in great shape and have good color due the clear water.

  IMHO more fertilizer is needed to produce a bloom and tone down the gin clear water and weed growth. I saw alot of fish flash at my baits by the boat. I think they saw me long before I saw them.

Posted By: Brian Akers

Nov 28 2010

Steve Alexander

Keeper

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415

Brian,

Thanks for reporting. Fishing in high wind can be really tough and sometimes just a grind instead of enjoyable. But, sometimes you got to go, when your schedule permits.

Fetilization can be a great tool on certain lakes. It can add fuel to a fire in others. Holmes lakes benefits from a fertilization program for several reasons. One, we have harvest fish. Two, we add forage to support the additional mouths to feed; created by the increased food chain. Three, the lake can support a bloom as the water is neutral. However, most fisheries managers allow the water to clear some in the late summer and into the fall to prevent a possible dissolved oxygen event (this typically happens in hottest time of the year during a huge rain event or several days of cloudy water. Photosynthesis slows from lack of light, but the vegatation continues to absorb the oxygen from the lake, thus reducing the oxygen in the water, creating a fish kill) Allowing the water to be a bit clearer helps reduce the possibility of Dissolved Oxygen event. On lakes that could benefit from a fertilization program we fertilize Spring to mid Summer.

Dec 01 2010

Brian Akers

Fry

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
32

Steve,

  That is very informative and separates the players from the coaches. I should let you know that two of the fish I put on the stringer for harvest, spit up a couple of 2 inch bluegill. One of those swam off, like it was just eaten before I caught the bass. The forage additions are visible.

  I was very motivated by knowing the harvest fish would go to charity. I really wanted to fill that cage up with fish to feed those in need. Do you think this practice could be expanded else where, or is it dictated by each land owner?

Dec 02 2010

Steve Alexander

Keeper

Member Since :
2010
Number of Posts :
415

Because of our fertilization efforts and the fact that we added approx 120 lbs of tilapia, the food chain in this lake is doing great. Food chain=bigger healthier fish.

I would love to create an atmosphere or system that allowed our members to place the fish in a basket and get the fish to a local charity. Currently, we do not have a system to do that. It works at this lake, because our landowner has a heart to serve others, picks the fish up, delivers the fish and he wants to see the fruits of lake managment (fish) go to a good cause.

If anyone has an idea on how to get the fish picked up at a lake where we are harvesting and get them to charity after each group fishes, I would love to hear it. Please let us know.