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That lake trout stocking chart is really interesting.  Thanks for sharing Ben...not to hijack this discussion, but I'm glad to see the numbers significantly reduced, and wish they would reduce more.  I mean, when 9 out of 10 boats out there are primarily chasing silver fish, it would make sense to cut trout stocking even more considering how many alewife they do eat too.  And granted, I fully understand they are natural to the lake, are slow growing, important to the tribes, etc., so to completely stop stocking them would leave year class gaps. But, hopefully the natural reproduction would take the place of some of that.

I'll never fully understand the stocking mindset for lakers, given the statistics clearly reflect what recreational anglers are targeting day in and day out while trolling.  Other than being a great charter/tourney fish to fill silver voids (and cooler space), and provide great social media pics of big fish for customers, they will never come closer to the popularity of silvers.  And after all, isn't that the primary objective to cater to what anglers want most?  I guess I'll never get that part.  And you can save the lectures about silvers eating more bait than lakers, etc. and keeping the predator/prey relationship in check.  I get all that and have read it all like many of you have.  I'll just never buy it when you continue to stock one over the other when they both eat the same thing.