The eroding marsh on the southeastern side of the lake... and it is significant - one of the worst hit areas in the state looking at the last geographic survey of the area....is a significant competing hypothesis in my opinion. If you're a trout angler - then you better be worried, especially since the electronic tracking studies indicate that the trout fishery on Big Lake is an estuary fishery. Research (mostly tagging) in Louisiana, Texas, Alabama and Mississippi point to trout as an estuary fishery. Some scientists here are under the opinion that only silver trout (some up to 6- and 7- pounds) remain mostly offshore. Here's an outdoor article that reviews some research in Texas...a very good review but it is opinionated by an avid speckled trout angler who I respect. But...if the speckled trout are only estuary-specific in Big Lake - my guess is we are heading into smaller limits (oh-ohhh I understand the problems with this). But if we don't have the biomass of stock in Big Lake that we used to (although LDWF hasn't given out that data since 2011 because of BP litigation), then fishing pressure may certainly be a factor. Most scientists here in La. are under the opinion that the trout coming into estuaries like Big Lake from the Gulf are not significant at all. Also, there is research in Texas that hypersalinities have killed trout in some estuaries. That finding was made in the 1950s where they experienced trout kills with hypersalinity. Nevertheless, here's the article. It's from a paid circulation website, but you may still be able to read it.
http://www.texassaltwaterfishingmaga...ubpage429.html
Also, here's a link to the article by the scientist that Cochran responded to:
http://www.texassaltwaterfishingmaga...ubpage315.html