Smallmouth Bass Efforts Launched

Long-time Grand Lake Fishing Guide Ivan Martin and a number of other Grand Lake sport fishing enthusiasts are spearheading an online petition drive to encourage the Oklahoma Wildlife Department to stock Northeast Oklahoma's Grand Lake O' The Cherokees with Smallmouth Bass."A lot of us local fishermen would like for the state wildlife department to stock Smallmouth Bass in Grand Lake," said Martin. "Most all of the other lakes in Northeast Oklahoma have been stocked with them and the fish are doing great. Eufaula has had eight pounders caught! Grand would be a great lake for smallies," he added.The petition may be read and electronically "signed" at: http://grandfishingreport.com/smallmouthpetition.htmMartin also voiced concerns about the stocking of hybrids in Grand, stating, "The wildlife department says they want to stock a huge number of hybrids, but from what I see at other lakes that have too many hybrids, they hurt the other fishing. Give us Smallmouth Bass, that, from what I have been told, do not hurt the existing fish populations in a lake." "I urge all of my fellow guides and fishing fans to read and sign the petition. If they have a web site, please link to GrandFishingReport.com or directly to the petition page and urge their site visitors to read and sign the petition too," he concluded.