Mergansers and declining trout numbers

[FIN-ITE 34]

In recent years I have noticed Common Mergansers in large numbers on many of the rivers I fish. It would seem that these increased numbers coupled with the low water has put a world of hurt on the wild trout numbers.
Just yesterday I watched a group of mergansers descend on one of the few remaining pools of a LV stream like a pack of wolves. It almost seemed like they were working together to drive fish out of hiding to be snatched up by their waiting cohorts.

Anyone else observing larger merganser populations on streams/rivers they fish?

 

[lightenup]

I have noticed more Mergansers on The SBR......not so much the Musky, but I am sure they are there too.....not in large numbers, so I haven't a change in trout numbers....Blue Herons have been prevalent in numbers since as long as I can remember....Maybe the positive factors that let the ducks come back also help the trout multiply......I have nothing to say about the low water levels except it sucks...

 

[MACFLY]

I spent some time on the Saucon this summer and noticed a lot of birds of prey on one Section in particular. Didn't see many fish when the tricos were in full swing on that stretch. They may be present but not a actively rising for fear of getting snatched.

In recent years I have noticed Common Mergansers in large numbers on many of the rivers I fish. It would seem that these increased numbers coupled with the low water has put a world of hurt on the wild trout numbers.
Just yesterday I watched a group of mergansers descend on one of the few remaining pools of a LV stream like a pack of wolves. It almost seemed like they were working together to drive fish out of hiding to be snatched up by their waiting cohorts.

Anyone else observing larger merganser populations on streams/rivers they fish?

 

[moosekid]

Mergansers propagate the parasites that cause swimmers itch. That shit sucks for a lake...

 

[MACFLY]

Mergansers propagate the parasites that cause swimmers itch. That shit sucks for a lake...

Dude just admit you have crabs and tell beetle to get checked

 

[Rusty Spinner]

Biology 101 tells us that the predator/prey numbers will always reach equilibrium given habitat and time. Like a pendulum on a clock, the balance swings a little in both directions, but never completely one way or the other without coming back in the other direction. We have a 5 year drought or at least a 5 year period of low water in most trout streams "in our area". Add this summer's heat and very low water after last fall/winter's poor spawning flows and we are on the bottom or furthest swing of that pendulum. Yes, this year the predators are winning and the trout (and dace/chubs/shiners/suckers/sculpins/daters/etc.) are losing. In time, that will shift and predator numbers will fall due to the lack of food that is about to be the reality in our streams and the fish will rebound. Then we get to go through the full cycle again. But make no bones about it, the pendulum has swung as far in one direction as it can more or less.

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

I guess if we use the scale tipping theory then the cormorant culling by the US Government is unwarranted.

http://news.nationalgeographic.com/...-river-salmon-endangered-species-environment/

 

[Thursthouse]

We should cull humans... that'd benefit a ton of species...and be kinda fun :flamethro

 

[FIN-ITE 34]

We should cull humans... that'd benefit a ton of species...and be kinda fun :flamethro

Soylent Green is people..........

 

[Rusty Spinner]

We should cull humans... that'd benefit a ton of species...and be kinda fun :flamethro

Already happening in Chicago

 

[TheHeron]

Biology 101 tells us that the predator/prey numbers will always reach equilibrium given habitat and time. Like a pendulum on a clock, the balance swings a little in both directions, but never completely one way or the other without coming back in the other direction. We have a 5 year drought or at least a 5 year period of low water in most trout streams "in our area". Add this summer's heat and very low water after last fall/winter's poor spawning flows and we are on the bottom or furthest swing of that pendulum. Yes, this year the predators are winning and the trout (and dace/chubs/shiners/suckers/sculpins/daters/etc.) are losing. In time, that will shift and predator numbers will fall due to the lack of food that is about to be the reality in our streams and the fish will rebound. Then we get to go through the full cycle again. But make no bones about it, the pendulum has swung as far in one direction as it can more or less.

You are full of crap! Most of the fish in our trout waters are stocked, and therefore, I have plenty of fish to eat irregardless of the wild trout population cycles. Nah Nah-Nah Nah Nah!!!!! :looser:

Mel

 

[lightenup]

You are full of crap! Most of the fish in our trout waters are stocked, and therefore, I have plenty of fish to eat irregardless of the wild trout population cycles. Nah Nah-Nah Nah Nah!!!!! :looser:

Mel

So, our license money is going to feed the re-emergent population of ducks????? We need a committee to study this, find out what the hell is going on. This is an outrage, my tax money going to feed Mergansers...we need a new Merganser resistant strain of trout...the science people need to get on this right away!!! Call in the national guard...humans need to intervene NOW!!!!