Lake Taneycomo

Abstract

Significant changes in the fishery of 1,730-acre Lake Taneycomo resulted from the construction of Table Rock Dam immediately upstream on White River because water, released through the dam from a relatively low level, is consequently quite cool. Discharge temperatures range from 40 to 60 F, and the cold water influences a large portion of Lake Taneycomo. Netting indicated an excellent population of warm-water fishes prior to the cold discharge from Table Rock Dam. Since the change to a cold-water environment, only bluegills remain in significant numbers. Growth rates of warm-water species slowed markedly. Fishing pressure on the lower two-thirds of the reservoir was as high as 133 hours per acre annually before the change, with catch rates of over 1.0 fish per hour. White crappies made up half of the catch, by number, with bluegills and largemouth bass next. Low fishing pressure was observed on the upper one-third of the reservoir. About 1,600,000 rainbow trout were stocked to sustain the fishery, following the release of cold water from Table Rock Dam. Fishing pressure on the upper portion of Lake Taneycomo increased to 528 hours per acre with a catch rate of about 0.5 fish per hour. Relative numbers of rainbow trout in the creels increased steadily until they accounted for 99% in 1962 and 1963. Fishing pressure on the lower portion did not increase spectacularly; it was 87 hours per acre in 1963. Catch rate was 0.7 fish per hour, with rainbow trout comprising half the catch. Bluegill, white crappie, and largemouth bass were still taken in limited numbers. Tag returns revealed that the majority of the trout moved upstream, although some were captured as far as 95 miles downstream. Growth of trout tagged, when about 10 inches in length, averaged 0.4 inches per month. Those tagged at 6 inches averaged 0.6 inches per month. Tag returns were 22% of the larger size-group, but only 3% of the smaller size-group.