05-20-2019, 08:02 PM
Even if that wiper is one of those larger ones stocked, it is still going to consume chubs. Also, IF (and that is a very big IF) that wiper's growth rate is as slow as you think it is, it is that slow only because of a shortened growing season. Which means what? It will only consume chubs in those few months. The bottom line, though, is that it is consuming chubs. IF the population of wipers is established and being established like I think it is, the result will be more and more wipers consuming chubs in that short growing season. Any way you hatch it, though, wipers will be eating chubs. And, if the DWR's analysis that the chub population is not not only an older population but a declining one is accurate, what is the major culprit of that decline going to be? Tiger musky? Or, wipers? As far as I a concerned, we have examples of wipers wiping out chub/prey populations...do we have one of tiger musky? So, even if that is a one of those larger wipers that was stocked and even if its growth rate was slow, it will eat chubs and chances are it isn't all alone in that endeavor! Time will tell what will happen....my bet is firmly on the side that the wipers will eventually do their job as they have in Minersville and Newcastle.
Also, FWIW, tiger musky simply by their nature will have a much faster growth rate than wipers...that isn't unusual. And, those 10 inch wipers were stocked in October which would mean that it only had one growing season. To me, that growth rate would not be alarming considering when it was stocked and how many summers it had to grow.
More than likely, though, is that the wiper caught in the net was one of the 4500 7.5 inchers that were stocked in 2017. Just from a statistical standpoint that would make far more sense. Afterall, only 399 10 inchers were stocked.
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Also, FWIW, tiger musky simply by their nature will have a much faster growth rate than wipers...that isn't unusual. And, those 10 inch wipers were stocked in October which would mean that it only had one growing season. To me, that growth rate would not be alarming considering when it was stocked and how many summers it had to grow.
More than likely, though, is that the wiper caught in the net was one of the 4500 7.5 inchers that were stocked in 2017. Just from a statistical standpoint that would make far more sense. Afterall, only 399 10 inchers were stocked.
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