Frogs, a sign as to why.

keithdog · 10-08-13, 09:59 PM

The year 2013 has probably been the worst year for fishing I have ever experienced. I think a lot had to do with two things. The VERY late spring/long winter. And the weed killing program that was done on all my areas lakes, which was very heavy as virtually all the weeds other than the pads were killed, really messing up the lakes.
A couple days ago I was walking the shoreline at one of my local lakes and I suddenly realized there were no frogs. Normally about every other step has frogs leaping for cover as you walk along the shoreline. Then I realized I have seen virtually no frogs this year! I bet I could count the number of frogs I've seen this year on two hands with fingers left over. I started thinking, few fish and few frogs. Could there be a connection?
I think I will contact the DNR and the local Conservation District who sprayed the lakes and ask if the weed kill program could have a connection to this. Has anyone else noticed a decline in the frog numbers? It can't be good.

joedog · 10-08-13, 10:57 PM

Hadn't thought about it but now that you mentioned it.
One of the ponds I fish every spring the shore line would be loaded with tadpoles in spring....this year....NONE, at all.
Plus the mayfly hatch came in Sept.????

Jrob78 · 10-09-13, 12:31 AM

I haven't noticed any more or less frogs than usual around here. If they killed all the vegetation in your lakes, I would think that would be the main culprit. I'm sure the frogs and the tadpoles rely heavily on the cover, they are sitting ducks without it.

Also, I think some frogs can stay buried in the mud for years at a time. I have no idea what frogs do that but it might be possible that your frogs are still there, just in hibernation.

That's my professional opinion based on my years as a herpetologist.

lilmule · 10-09-13, 06:36 AM

For $20 can send you duckweed,coontail,cattails,yellow floating heart and two tree frogs for your aquarium if legal there.Leopard,bull frogs extra.
Gottem all pondweed,alligator weed,pickeral weed,yellow lilly and american lotus,pond next to house-dug by hand and plants added about 70x30x3.5.
If actually taking a trip here and do a harvest yourself no charge.
Hasnt dried up in several years so will drain it next year so can use a front end bucket and deepen,wore my ticker out so not much diggin lately.
Going today to place a deposit on an 8N Ford.Let that be a reminder we all can be replaced lol.

Dave63 · 10-09-13, 07:17 PM

Not as many around here for certain.

keithdog · 10-10-13, 07:35 AM

I know I read that various DNR agencies were concerned about the drops in frog populations as that was an indicator of a troubled ecosystem.

lilmule · 10-10-13, 01:04 PM

Most likly the same dnr that removed the frogs habitat by degrassing.
Any thing we do to mother nature should be in moderation,not clear cutting forests nor removing all of anything.Tends to effect those that thrive in it-duh

10-08-13, 09:59 PM	#1
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	Frogs, a sign as to why. The year 2013 has probably been the worst year for fishing I have ever experienced. I think a lot had to do with two things. The VERY late spring/long winter. And the weed killing program that was done on all my areas lakes, which was very heavy as virtually all the weeds other than the pads were killed, really messing up the lakes. A couple days ago I was walking the shoreline at one of my local lakes and I suddenly realized there were no frogs. Normally about every other step has frogs leaping for cover as you walk along the shoreline. Then I realized I have seen virtually no frogs this year! I bet I could count the number of frogs I've seen this year on two hands with fingers left over. I started thinking, few fish and few frogs. Could there be a connection? I think I will contact the DNR and the local Conservation District who sprayed the lakes and ask if the weed kill program could have a connection to this. Has anyone else noticed a decline in the frog numbers? It can't be good. __________________ Just one more cast, and then some!

10-08-13, 10:57 PM	#2
joedog BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Jun 2011 Location: JANESVILLE,WI. 53545 Posts: 3,415	Hadn't thought about it but now that you mentioned it. One of the ponds I fish every spring the shore line would be loaded with tadpoles in spring....this year....NONE, at all. Plus the mayfly hatch came in Sept.???? __________________ "Fishing isn't life or death... it's more important than that."

10-09-13, 12:31 AM	#3
Jrob78 BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Sep 2009 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 4,671	I haven't noticed any more or less frogs than usual around here. If they killed all the vegetation in your lakes, I would think that would be the main culprit. I'm sure the frogs and the tadpoles rely heavily on the cover, they are sitting ducks without it. Also, I think some frogs can stay buried in the mud for years at a time. I have no idea what frogs do that but it might be possible that your frogs are still there, just in hibernation. That's my professional opinion based on my years as a herpetologist. __________________ There are 3 kinds of people in the world…those who can count and those who can’t. HRN4L

10-09-13, 07:17 PM	#5
Dave63 BassFishin.Com Active Member Join Date: Jun 2010 Location: Farmersburg, IN Posts: 341	Not as many around here for certain. __________________ Tavery 5: The monkey does not discriminate

10-10-13, 07:35 AM	#6
keithdog BassFishin.Com Premier Elite Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: IN Posts: 8,308	I know I read that various DNR agencies were concerned about the drops in frog populations as that was an indicator of a troubled ecosystem. __________________ Just one more cast, and then some!

10-09-13, 06:36 AM	#4
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	For $20 can send you duckweed,coontail,cattails,yellow floating heart and two tree frogs for your aquarium if legal there.Leopard,bull frogs extra. Gottem all pondweed,alligator weed,pickeral weed,yellow lilly and american lotus,pond next to house-dug by hand and plants added about 70x30x3.5. If actually taking a trip here and do a harvest yourself no charge. Hasnt dried up in several years so will drain it next year so can use a front end bucket and deepen,wore my ticker out so not much diggin lately. Going today to place a deposit on an 8N Ford.Let that be a reminder we all can be replaced lol.

10-10-13, 01:04 PM	#7
lilmule BassFishin.Com Super Veteran Join Date: Feb 2010 Location: Buchanan,Tn Posts: 2,685	Most likly the same dnr that removed the frogs habitat by degrassing. Any thing we do to mother nature should be in moderation,not clear cutting forests nor removing all of anything.Tends to effect those that thrive in it-duh

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