Is there anything I can do?

[David P]

I fish a small reservoir maybe 2 miles around. Mostly known for Trout and Catfish, but there are some bass in it.

Recently a handful of people have been using live bait, and catching a ton of good sized bass, from what I've heard 2lbs and up to 5 or 6lbs. They're keeping them all.

I wish they had a 12inch-18inch rule, but they don't. Anything over 12inches can be kept.

I'm worried that this will really screw with the reservoir and soon there will be even fewer bass then before.

Is there anything that I can do, or is it a lost cause?

[Cajun1977]

just worry about your own fishing. worrying about anyone and everyone catching and keeping bass legally (i assume its legal) is really none of your concern.  realisticly what kind of answer were you seeking?

[David P]

just worry about your own fishing. worrying about anyone and everyone catching and keeping bass legally (i assume its legal) is really none of your concern.  realisticly what kind of answer were you seeking?

First. It's not legally if they're using live bait such as minnows or any live fish.

Secondly. I don't know what else they're doing illegally  (keeping more then 5 fish, keeping undersized fish as well), I don't know.

I am worrying about my own fishing, but when the majority of the small population of bass that are in there, are taken out, it hurts my fishing. That's me worrying about my own fishing.

[Cajun1977]

kid dont take my words as being an attack on you, all im saying is if they are doing illegal stuff then call the proper authorities. or do nothing at all. but if your worried about your fishing and youre watching them break the law then man up and turn them in.theres really no other answer than that.  theres no magic wand that will make them stop and leave the lake.

[grimlin]

Contact your wildlife department....pretty much all you can do.Inform them what's going on and see if they can check people out more often.They'll appreciate the tip. Plus it shows you care.

Confrontations will lead to problems...trust me on that.Early this year i saw some guys using dip nest catching everything any anything and keeping everything even undersize fish.Ended almost getting into a fight over it as well.Not worth it.

You can also call the cops and they can hold those people till a wildlife guy comes out there.

Where there's trout here they keep a watchful eye on those waters for some reason.

[mattm]

Yep, just turn them in if they are doing anything illegal.  Otherwise not much you can do.  Whats up with the name change?

[bassnleo]

Just curious, is it illegal to use live bait just in that body of water or is it a state regulation?

Live bait is legal and pretty common here.

Thx

[Guest Wiimote_Angler]

I don't know about your area but if the certain fish population is becoming too small don't they restock?  It doesn't just hurt you it hurts everybody who fishes for bass.  It might take a while to notice, but its bound to come up that hardly anyone is catching bass.  

The rule of not using fish as live bait is pretty understandable.  Here in my area in Illinois its only illegal to use certain fish as live bait like goldfish and releasing unused livebait fish unless it was taken from the exact same waters.

[David P]

I don't know about your area but if the certain fish population is becoming too small don't they restock?  It doesn't just hurt you it hurts everybody who fishes for bass.  It might take a while to notice, but its bound to come up that hardly anyone is catching bass.  

The rule of not using fish as live bait is pretty understandable.  Here in my area in Illinois its only illegal to use certain fish as live bait like goldfish and releasing unused livebait fish unless it was taken from the exact same waters.

It's a small reservoir with big problems of people releasing strange fish to the water. There is a rule no types of goldfish or minnows for bait.

They stock bass 2wice in the summer but not very many and they're almost all gone within a week or two. The stocked bass are starved, they're ready to eat anything right away.

I don't think they care all that much if the bass fishing goes down hill because the majority of people come for catfish and trout. It's not a real bass fishery and there are only a handful of guys who religiously go out and fish for bass.

I'm just going to bring it to their attention . If they choose to do something about them, thank you, if not I'll probably start looking else where to fish.

[MALTESE FALCON]

Here in Michigan, we have a RAP Line (Report All Poaching). If we see anybody doing anything illegal, just call that number and they are pretty quick to respond. I've used it a couple times.

Do you have anything like that in Cali?

Falcon

[RobDar]

without a slot limit...I think your hands are kind of tied. If there are Catfish and Trout in the Res. I think they are kind of keeping the wrong fish...eating wise...but anyway...

Two things...

1. I do not know how your state is but here in Indiana it would have to be a managed Res. for anyone to care. There are little lakes like this all over my area and some are town/county/or state property...others no one seems to know who the heck is responsible for them and no one really seems to care. In my personal experience if I happen to be on a Indiana DNR lake the DNR responds like an over anxious fire department. The town and county lakes you can never sem to get anyone to even answer the darn phone...and several of the little places near me are completely unmanaged and there is no one to call even if you did have cause.

2. I have found that calling the DNR and just asking questions sems to be of some benefit. I called about these guys keeping buckets of bluegill...not being a bluegill fisherman I had no idea of size or numbers but they sure had ALOT of fish...I called and asked and the DNR officer ended up asking me alot of questions and when on the same lake THE VERY NEXT DAY...there was a DNR officer walking the shore checking buckets and licenses. It was not long till the numbers of shore fisherman fillng their buckets was down to nearly nill.

[tntitans21399]

I would only worry about it if they are doing something illegal, like keeping every fish even if it's not 12inches.  But if it's above the min. length then don't worry.  They have the 12 inch min. for a reason.  If they were worried about the Bass they would raise the min. length.  I have two lakes near me and on is a 13 inch min. and the other is a 14 inch min.

[deepsessions]

bra....if you see them offer to take a picture of their nice fish and the bait used (or not) then post that pic at the office and tell them to contact DFG. I'm sure next time they have to get their permit they'll be something said. I can think of a few places I fish that I've seen clear Petco bags either in the water or on the bank in the last six months. Poachers are everywhere!

[ewokmonsta720]

If its a body of water stocked with trout, then authorities probably won't mind. Alot of time and money is spent raising trout, transporting trout, and dumping. Fish and Game especially watch waters managed for trout because the larger portion of our license fees goes right to the hatcheries and biologists. The rest of it goes to putting in boat launches, parking areas and maintaining these facilities.

[Bass Smacker]

I feel your pain buddy. I fish a small public pond that hase some bass in it. Every spring I see people taking a butt load of fish out of it. i'm talking familes of 15 or twenty people taking every thing they catch. It kills me becuse the rest of the year you can't catch squat out of it and have to walk 3 more miles to another pond to fish... I call F&G every year and they come out and check my frigin license

the next day when nobody is around. Never fales. I'm sure they catch some of them but not enough..      

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Broke- Is that the place near the bait shop (coyote something), where you pay to fish it?