There is a habit, in fishery management, of measuring a year by its summers. It is the wrong measure. The condition of a stillwater in July is decided almost entirely by what was done — or not done — between November and February.
Cutting back overhanging growth, removing silt at the inflows, clearing the windward bank of fallen timber: none of it is dramatic, all of it is decisive.
Fish stock assessments, fish stocking, and fish movements are carried out in winter when both fish and pathogens are less active, reducing the stress and risk of disease transmission
