Lake Report from Jerry Jones

Greetings Fishermen,

As you are aware, Bream Lake (Lake Two) was drained in 2015 due to a leak in the drain system.  It offered a good opportunity to remove the predatory fish and restock it with coppernose bream. Coppernose can grow to over 2 lbs on feed in less than 4 years.  The lake was stocked with coppernose and red-ear bream in March 2015.  The fish that are left in the lake are doing nicely, but otters found the lake and removed several fish before we were able to get a trapper in to trap them.  Mother nature and her heavy rains has also allowed some bass and catfish to move down from lake 1into Lake 2.  That poses a problem if we are to maintain an excellent bream lake since the bass and catfish feed on bream.  The Lakes and Parks committee felt it best not to allow fishing in Lake 2 since it contains quality fish that we want to use to restock other lakes after they are established there.  But the large number of bass and catfish now in the lake requires rethinking the original plan.

Therefore we are asking for your help in removing bass and catfish from Lake 2.  Please release any bream that you might catch back into the lake but do not release any bass or catfish back into Lake 2.   We know it is easier to release than to remove but if we are to have the quality fishery that you have been wanting and deserve we must use selectivity and good common sense while fishing all  Country Place Lakes.  Lake 3 needs both large bass and catfish but all  our lakes are overstocked with small bass.  Lots of 10 and 12 inch bass are regularly caught. Some of these smaller bass may be 4 or 5 years old and still that small due to overpopulation of that species.  Bass tend to spawn well in our lakes and that is happening now in Lake 2.

The smaller bass also make excellent table fare.  If you catch some and do not want to keep them, call me 903 839-6077 or 903 520-7447 and I will take them.

Also we are sure that some of the bream have moved into the lower Lake 3 via the  Lake 2 spillway, because some are showing up at the feeder.

Please remember that if you invite guest to fish our lakes, you or a member of your family must be with them while fishing.

Thanking you in advance,

Jerry Jones