I was talking with a friend over the weekend and got to thinking about the changes in fishing over the last ten years.   You might disagree with me, but I would say the last 10 years, could be described as "recovery" and "managment." 

It was a little before 2000 that I moved to Lawrence.  I heard so many stories about the "heyday" of those lakes for crappie, especially Perry and Clinton.  Followed by how terrible they were now.

Well, 10 years later, we have length limits in place.  Both lakes have had their ups and downs, but Perry especially seems to have turned back into a top quality and consistent lake.  Maybe not like during the early 90s, but still I think most would consistently rate it as top notch.

Also, over the last 10 years, we have seen Pomona, Melvern and Hillsdale turn into great fisheries as well.  Prior to 2000, I don't think I ever heard of anyone having a good crappie day at Hillsdale, let alone walleye.  On the subject of walleye, despite the zebra mussells, El Dorado has also turned into a top notch walleye lake when it used to be the only thing anyone went there for was largemouth.

So, all in all, I'd have to give the KDWP solid marks for really managing the lakes well.  There have been ups and downs, and unpopular things, but I am hard pressed to say that any of those lakes I mentioned aren't substantially better than they were in 2000.

I am curious what everyone thinks the next 10 years will bring?  I don't even neccesarily mean in terms of what the KDWP does.  What will be the big innovations?  Or what will be the big impact?   When we look back in 2020, what will we see that is different with our sport - good or bad?