Can you eat Rock bass, the lesser of all bass??

[Bass Smacker]

They do often have worms. You know those little black "balls" that are sometimes all over their fins and skin? Those are worms. They aren't dangerous and don't affect the flavor of the fish in any way. Tight lines

[snakesandarrows]

I caught a few while fishing in Minnesota last year; most of them on beetle spins.  All of the ones I caught looked like they had parasitic worms attached to them.  I wouldn't eat 'em; they looked nasty.

[Guest avid]

I won't speak for flyphisher, but I do think this c&r can get a little out of hand sometimes.

I once had an argument with a guy who was really outraged that I was keeping legal sized and #'s of stocked rainbow trout.

These are fish raised in a hatchery for the sole purpose of being caught and kept.

They are pumped into lakes and streams by the hundreds of thousands for recreational fisherman.

Yet, to him they were some kind of exalted creature (trout worshiper no doubt).

To me it was a laughably ridiculous argument, but to him it was really serious stuff.

It almost got violent, but fortunately didn't.

We have fisheries managers who are trained at lake and fish management.  Yes, there is some politics invoved, but for the most part they are sincere in their efforts to maintain healthy fish populations for us to enjoy.

Obey the regulations, call the game warden when you see violations, and notify the F&W department if you notice changes in your lake that may hurt the fishery.

And remember fishing is supposed to be fun.

[brad_snc]

Rock bass are very fun to catch with an ultra-lite rod as they fight like crazy and they are just as good eating, however they are everywhere in the WI northwoods. These past weeks I wasted many minnows going for crappie when a rock bass will come out of no where and get hooked. I've even caught them yesterday with a #4 Mepps Aglia, haha, it was almost bigger than the fish.