How many trout do these diving birds really eat?

[phil]

those birds will probably be leaving soon since theres no fish in milton

[Mark B.]

US Fish & Wildlife Service manages double crested cormorants: http://www.fws.gov/migratorybirds/Cu...cormorant.html

Can’t get a depredation permit (permit to kill) for a NJ native species (double crested cormorant) preying on hatchery raised /stocked trout.

[goodfishin]

My son and I did the math last year on the four cormorants that methodically decimate Verona Lake. We worked out the numbers because despite the state stocking a ton of trout in that small lake, most of us anglers caught scarcely few. It was as if they had stocked a tiny fraction of what was reported.

So, the math:
- An adult cormorant can eat 4-5 fish a day
- Four cormorants = 16-20 fish a day
- The state allegedly stocked about 2,000 trout in Verona Lake last year

Multiplying those numbers out, those four damn birds wiped out up to 1,200 fish in just April and May alone. They likely cleaned out 2/3 of what was stocked... and that is not uncommon.

I saw them take out one fish after another last year. Saw one take out what looked to be at least a 3-lb bass that was so big, it practically choked on it. Hate those damn birds.

[hammer4reel]

Been watching the Hanover PA eagle cam. They have been eating 9-10 trout a day

[FASTEDDIE29]

This all goes back to the "SEE SOMETHING SAY SOMETHING" talk for me. Instead of that I'd like to change it to, " SEE A CORMORANT KILL A CORMORANT" I know it's not the right thing to do and I really do love our native wildlife. But this flock of birds is out of control. Mother Nature's predators are making moves and eating well.

My new phrase. "SEE A CORMORANT KILL A CORMORANT!!!!
Or you can simply feed it some Alka Seltzer!!!

LOL! TIGHT LINEZ!!!!!

[FishnChips]

in one day i saw one bird commart eat 10 trout on opening day. they should kill them .i actually caugth one 2years ago in mouth and had to kill him some body said its a federal offence!

[jimcnj]

First they came for the cormorants, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a cormorants.

Then they came for the herons, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a heron.

Then they came for the eagles and ospreys, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not an eagle or an osprey.

Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me.

I really got to get out! Can't wait for Saturday morning.

[Bruce Litton]

Cormorants are gluttons. My favorite Lake Musconetcong is suffering from more than chemical treatment per se. Before anti-water chestnut campaign, the lake throve with all sorts of aquatic vegetation, though in the end the chestnuts had begun to take it all over. A few cormorants tried to dive, but for the most part couldn't with thick weeds. No sooner than Eurasian milfoil etc. got wiped out, cormorant population increased many times over. A few rocks grace the lake near the island, nice brown stone that appeals to the eye. Now they're white with cormorant excrement, the refuse of how many hundreds of pounds of bass and pickerel is staggering to contemplate.

[Bruce Litton]

Cormorants seem especially drawn to Musconetcong w/out weeds, because it's only 5 feet deep. In deep water, the birds have to work a little harder to find prey. Musconetcong has become a killing floor for these birds.

[Jedhead]

I could only wish that the state would open a year long hunting season on those birds. The amount of fish eating birds on any given water body in central/south jersey is disturbing. I have fished Carnagie, deal, Farrington and manasquan last year and I can easily understand why so many guys wonder why there are no sizable fish in the lakes based upon the amount of fish the state stocks. What a nice meal a 8" pike or any other stocker is for those birds. Just my 2cents.