Joe

[Joe hall]

I have a question, I am a member of a bass club . We do paper tournaments catch n release. I know it is illegal to have tournaments in May on Lake Erie but I know for a fact there are a lot of bass clubs that do . Any thoughts on this thanks 

[MN Fisher]

If it's illegal - don't follow the herd...don't do it just because others do.

[Dwight Hottle]

23 minutes ago, Joe hall said:

I have a question, I am a member of a bass club . We do paper tournaments catch n release. I know it is illegal to have tournaments in May on Lake Erie but I know for a fact there are a lot of bass clubs that do . Any thoughts on this thanks 

 

I would go out of my way to report you, enough said. 

[Glenn]

Can you clarify your question? 

• Are you asking what do we think of those clubs that host tournaments during a time when they're banned?
• Are you asking if we think paper tournaments are ok during a ban period because you're not holding a weigh-in?
• Are you asking if we think it's ok to host a tournament because others are doing it?

 

My Answers:

• I would report them.  "No tournaments" means just that. No exceptions.
• No, it's not ok.  No exceptions.
• Never is this an acceptable excuse for anything illegal.  If you think it's not enforced, and therefore you can get away with it, see the first bullet point. Somebody is going to report it soon enough....maybe they'll report you.

 

[GaryH]

1 hour ago, Joe hall said:

I have a question, I am a member of a bass club . We do paper tournaments catch n release. I know it is illegal to have tournaments in May on Lake Erie but I know for a fact there are a lot of bass clubs that do . Any thoughts on this thanks 

With over 70,000 members on this site how many are LEO’s do you think?

With that being said that’s not a very smart question or remarks to put on a public forum. The members on here are not only legal fishermen but also very ethical if you would have taken the time to read some post you would have come to that conclusion.
Good luck on your endeavors and I hope you make some good decisions.

[Budcjoline]

I'm going to assume that you're asking our opinion on the other teams, in which case I agree with everyone above - illegal is illegal. Doesn't make sense to try to bend the rules with fishing. 

[Whatever]

Fish and Wildlife agencies have an incredibly difficult job--balancing the biology of a resource against the endless and competing demands of humans who claim a stake in that resource. They are required to weigh every factor of the biologic and human interaction that impacts that resource, and make recommendations to further the most successful management of that resource, for both the fish, and the people who enjoy fishing. And by law, as a public agency, even the people who don't fish must be recognized and included in those discussions.

By the time a straightforward biologic / management decision has

made it to a state level regulatory commission, politics are included. For the biologists, it is frequently a nightmare.

Consequently, when a regulation is passed to forbid a certain practice (as in May fishing competitions), you can be fairly certain every aspect of that practice and it's impact (on both fish and anglers) has been documented, studied, debated, and discussed. That is not to say all of us will agree with, accept or practice every regulation. We frequently do not. But I think I am on solid ground when I say this particular regulation was designed to protect the resource (Bass), at a critically vulnerable period (spawning), and any fishing club ( or angler) who chooses to ignore that protection is just plain wrong! Flaunting that law runs counter to everything they claim to promote. "Everyone does it" is a rationalization of an obvious impropriety, consequently not a remotely valid motivation.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[Bluebasser86]

Guys knowingly breaking the law is how we as a whole get more, restrictive laws.

 

Can't stop fishing tournaments during that time of year? Fine, no more bass fishing during those months at all.

[MGF]

Well we obviously need rules even though some of the DNR rules are really pretty arbitrary and NOT based on much in the way of data...or at least not the right data. Still I would have to come down in favor of compliance. In our system the theory is that you work to change the rules that you don't like.  

[J Francho]

In NY, there are special regulations: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31419.html

 

Since catch and release is legal, paper tournaments are fine.  There is a trophy limit of one fish over 20" starting December 1 through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June, when bass season officially opens.  This was to allow for trophy tournaments in the time period you mention.

[TnRiver46]

1 hour ago, J Francho said:

In NY, there are special regulations: https://www.dec.ny.gov/outdoor/31419.html

 

Since catch and release is legal, paper tournaments are fine.  There is a trophy limit of one fish over 20" starting December 1 through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June, when bass season officially opens.  This was to allow for trophy tournaments in the time period you mention.

Thanks for tangible information!