The AGFC stocks fingerling sized striped bass (1 - 3 inches) into Lake Ouachita. The AGFC occasionally has access to yearling size striped bass, and some yearling stripers have been stocked into the lake in recent years. Since June 2005, AGFC has stocked 33,489 yearling sized striped bass into Lake Ouachita. The total fingerling striped bass annual production available for public water stocking in Arkansas from the four AGFC hatcheries seldom exceeds 350,000 young fish.
Below are the number of striped bass stocked into Lake Ouachita by the Arkansas Game and Fish Commission since 1995.
- 1995 - 10,000 fingerlings
1996 - 307,749 fingerlings; Nursery pond stocking
1997 - 54,000 fingerlings
1998 - 29,972 fingerlings
1999 - 283,000 fingerlings; Nursery pond stocking
2000 - 9,576 fingerlings
2001 - 100,970 fingerlings
2002 - 0
2003 - 191,700 fingerlings; Nursery pond stocking
2004 - 25,500 fingerlings
2005 - 19,320 fingerlings + 5,680 yearlings = 25,000 total fish
2006 - 54,687 fingerlings + 5,313 yearlings = 60,000 total fish
2008 - 72,462 fingerlings + 8,246 yearlings = 81,292 total fish
2009 - 85,750 fingerlings + 14,250 yearlings = 100,000 total fish
2010 - planned 80,000 fingerlings
Biologists reviewing these criteria from states with striper fisheries across the Southeast agree that the AGFC are stocking conservatively for a trophy striped bass fishery based on current Lake Ouachita striper growth rates, fish condition, and forage fish abundance.
Lake Ouachita stripers have excellent growth rates (up to 26 inches by age-4) and condition (relative weights up to 97%), indicating that forage is not currently a limiting factor for these fish.
AGFC biologists net striper broodstock on Lake Ouachita beginning in April . This provide the AGFC with another good look at the striper population and age and growth characteristics for several year classes of larger stripers.
Lake Ouachita Striped bass Stockings
