Catch and release, being overdone??????

[bassmaster8100]

Im one of those people who believes in catch and release. Of course on occasion I take home a mess of bass to eat. I just wonder if anybody thinks catch and release is being overdone??? I mean if you throw them all back , sooner or later doesnt the food source for those fish become harder to find for them and they dont grow as well. Ive wondered about this from time to time but over this past weekend as I was fishing I really started thinking about it alot. My buddy and I went to one of our favorite lakes, he had been there several times here recently but it was my first time to fish this particular lake in probably a year or more. He mentioned on the way that it had become over populated and that we shouldnt have problem finding fish but he didnt know what kind of size they would be. He was right. Dink after dink after dink. The highlight of the day was a 14 incher I caught. Thought we would be smart at one point and drop off deep and try throwing some deep diving crankbaits, thinking those dinks wont bite this in my mind I throw the Norman DD22, it dont matter, more dinks. All these fish were like about 8 inch fish. Fun catching a boat load but I really like catching big fish too. Just makes me wonder why they are not growing?????? Any opinions or suggestions on why this lake is this way????

[Jake.]

Selective Harvesting comes to mind when I read your situation. Take out a few of the small ones every time you go to that lake. The population will supposedly decrease but the sizes will increase.

[Ky_Lake_Dude]

I agree 100% that catch and release can be overdone. Ray Scott himself has even said he regrets making such a sin over keeping bass. I see no problem with keeping some bass.

[Guest muddy]

OH OHH !!!!! GENTLEMEN START YOUR ENGINES, here we go again

[tntitans21399]

I catch and release so I can catch them again some day when they are bigger.  I think everyone catch and released then you might have that problem, but if everyone took home then their would only be small fish you are catching.  I think it is a certain balance.  I think with this past years heat that the oxygen level was more of a worry then food.

[links_man2]

There were articles in March 2007 Bass Times (pg 30/31) about how catch & release has really hurt the fishing in many Texas lakes.  TPWD Biologist were wanting more people to catch & keep the smaller "legal" bass.  Basically, they were saying that the reason they set size, number,slot limits is to better manage the fishery.  I don't keep everything I catch, but I do keep lots of legal fish for family & friends.  One quote from one of the articles:

"When biologists recommend and approve a slot limit regulation, they are encouraging harvest.  They want small bass measuring under the slot removed, which will provide more food and growing room for the slot protecxted fish."

[Fish Chris]

In some cases, yes, C&R is being overdone. In other cases, C&R is not being practiced enough ! The problem is, every single lake on the planet acts just a little bit differently from the next. The only reason each and every lake on the planet is not regulated on an individual basis, is that this would be impossible for the F&G to handle, with the resources they have available.

Selective Harvest is usually the better practice, but the problem here, is that this requires anglers to actually "think". Suddenly the correct answer goes from "yes or no", to "fill in the blank".

If you are concerned about "doing the right thing" on your local waters, contact your closest F&G Dept. Talk to a biologist and see which lakes near you are best suited for harvest, what size, and number of harvested fish would be best from those lakes, and which lakes should be C&R only.

Peace,

Fish

[cart7t]

There are a couple larger lakes here in Missouri where the conservation department is encouraging the keeping of smaller bass.

[32251]

I am reading Bill Murphys "Giant Bass" book.  He contends that the bass that are released are going to pass traits down to their offspring that are going to cause bass to become even harder to catch as a result of being caught and then released.  Anyone think this is true?

[Michael H]

I really don't see how it could serious affect natural lakes, because the bass did fine before people started fishing.

[Tin]

Ya it is being over done. I have started fishing a few Connecticut lakes like Amos or Highland which have slot limit of 12-18 inches and you can only take home one fish over 18 inches a day. I must say WOW! I have been there 4 times ow and have yet to catch a fish under 2 pounds. And the quality and numbers are there too, usually between 2-4 pounds with a few over 4 and about a dozen fish in about 3-4 hours. It seems like they know how to manage their fish. Wish the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management would try to do the same. :

[Chode2235]

The issue, the way I see it, is that we are not the only ones fishing out there.  I go up to a resort town in Northern MN, where most of the people fishing are tourists and they keep every possible fish that they can.

Is it ok to keep some fish, sure!  But please remember that you are likely needing to release other peoples 'share' as well.  

It may be being overdone by some individual fisherman, but at a macro level catch and release has yet to fully catch on.

[Low_Budget_Hooker]

Ya it is being over done. I have started fishing a few Connecticut lakes like Amos or Highland which have slot limit of 12-18 inches and you can only take home one fish over 18 inches a day. I must say WOW! I have been there 4 times ow and have yet to catch a fish under 2 pounds. And the quality and numbers are there too, usually between 2-4 pounds with a few over 4 and about a dozen fish in about 3-4 hours. It seems like they know how to manage their fish. Wish the Rhode Island Department of Environmental Management would try to do the same. :

So get involved Mike.  With the connections in the fishing industry and the D.E.M that your family has, you're a natural candidate.  Look into the conservation position in one of your clubs.  You never know, they may want to see results first so tell them we'll work a slot limit at the main lake at the hatchery for 3 yrs and then we can shock it again and see the difference

Seriously, All in one family, the Jr Director with 2 out of 3 kids who have gone to the world championships,....you being one of them,....you qualify  Get involved.

[bassnleo]

Wow, a really good discusssion without any incoming fire!

I'm a C&R angler but DARN I enjoy some deep fried fillets on occasion. Bass are not my favorite, I prefer perch or walleye, but bass aren't all that bad if I have some cocktail sauce needing used.

In all seriousness, if I do keep a few bass I keep the 12-14 inchers, that seems to be the most plentiful class in waters around here.

Yes, I do think C&R can be overdone. Like fishchris said, I too think selective harvest is the way to go.

[Olebiker]

I am reading Bill Murphys "Giant Bass" book. He contends that the bass that are released are going to pass traits down to their offspring that are going to cause bass to become even harder to catch as a result of being caught and then released. Anyone think this is true?

Seems like just the opposite would happen.  If you keep the gullible ones and take them out of the gene pool, you are left with bass that are warier and harder to catch to pass on their genes.

I am a strictly Catch, Photograph, and Release fisherman.

[ZombyGuru]

I catch and release just b/c i like catching them and not fileting them!  However, i'm down with taking a few small ones from the slot limit in chance that it'll shift the statistical curve a lil towards the larger side.

[JCrzy4Bass]

If you are concerned about "doing the right thing" on your local waters, contact your closest F&G Dept. Talk to a biologist and see which lakes near you are best suited for harvest, what size, and number of harvested fish would be best from those lakes, and which lakes should be C&R only.

Peace,

Fish

Exactly.  Well put Chris.  All it takes is one visit to your states website regarding fishing.  In Virginia it is the VDGIF and you can find them online.  Look up their number, call and ask about harvesting and which lakes are best suited.  

Around here catch and release is a big problem.  WAY too many bass are taken out of Bull Run, Occoquan River, and some of the lakes in the area.  I have noticed it is mainly a select group of people but I will not get into that on here as I don't want to offend anybody.  Put it this way.  There needs to be a balance.  The reason why catch and release is practically preached on this site and any other bass forum is because there is always going to be the people in your area who are harvesting fish that should not be harvested.  At least here in northern va.  If we don't practice catch and release the populations will be affected.  Plain and simple.  I see way too many 3-4 pounders being pulled off of live bait such as nightcrawlers and stuffed into plastic bags to be taken home for dinner... that just makes me mad.  But thats my two cents.

[JCrzy4Bass]

I catch and release just b/c i like catching them and not fileting them! However, i'm down with taking a few small ones from the slot limit in chance that it'll shift the statistical curve a lil towards the larger side.

And that's exactly why certain lakes implement those kinds of slot limits, to help the population shift torwards a correct balance of smaller and larger fish based off of baitfish or feeder fish and the percentage of so called game and predator fish.  It also, doesn't help that some people don't care about these rules and break them constantly.  I want my kids to have a chance to catch the fish I'm catching now, I'll be taking them to the same places and teaching them the same practice.  If you want to fillet a fish thats what there are Crappie, Bluegill, Perch, and sunfish for.

[rondef]

The true problem in Northern Virginia is that we have individuals that don't speak or read or write in English fishing. These individuals fish without a valid license and yet they feel free to take every fish they catch. These people make me extremely mad and I have begun reporting them on a case by case basis to the park autorities and the VDGIF. They fish with nets and any other means possible to catch the most fish that they can. Some of these people don't even know how to remove a hook from a fish and put them on the ground and step on them so they can rip the hook out. This is starting to have a big impact for the responsible fisherman in Northern Virginia that know and obey the rules and laws.

[Davis]

The true problem in Northern Virginia is that we have individuals that don't speak or read or write in English fishing. These individuals fish without a valid license and yet they feel free to take every fish they catch. These people make me extremely mad and I have begun reporting them on a case by case basis to the park autorities and the VDGIF. They fish with nets and any other means possible to catch the most fish that they can. Some of these people don't even know how to remove a hook from a fish and put them on the ground and step on them so they can rip the hook out. This is starting to have a big impact for the responsible fisherman in Northern Virginia that know and obey the rules and laws.

That's a big problem there. Angering me and I'm not even fishing in your state.

[IneedAnewScreenName9886691]

It has to be a lake by lake basis.  I don't think you can paint it with a broad brush.  

[Chode2235]

El problemo esta cuando nosotros pescamos nosotros no enseñar otros la cultura de 'pescamos Americanos'.  *Rough Spanish, Sorry*

The problem is that when we go fishing we don't teach others about the culture of 'American Fishing."

Instead of complaining about the foreigners, teach them, take them fishing.  Instill in them the values that you have regarding fishing.  Like it or not, these are the people who you share the water with.  It is in our best interest to get everyone on the same page regarding C&R beliefs, and fishing philosophies.  Lead by example, and don't be afraid to take someone fishing who doesn't quite know how we do it around here.

Don't blame and demonize, help them.

[slomoe]

El problemo esta cuando nosotros pescamos nosotros no enseñar otros la cultura de 'pescamos Americanos'. *Rough Spanish, Sorry*

The problem is that when we go fishing we don't teach others about the culture of 'American Fishing."

Instead of complaining about the foreigners, teach them, take them fishing. Instill in them the values that you have regarding fishing. Like it or not, these are the people who you share the water with. It is in our best interest to get everyone on the same page regarding C&R beliefs, and fishing philosophies. Lead by example, and don't be afraid to take someone fishing who doesn't quite know how we do it around here.

Don't blame and demonize, help them.

I agree 100% except a very large majority of the spanish/latino population in my area do not even speak english.

[lubina]

The true problem in Northern Virginia is that we have individuals that don't speak or read or write in English fishing.  These individuals fish without a valid license and yet they feel free to take every fish they catch.  .  

We have a lot of them in NJ.  >

I don't care what language they speak as long as they respect the laws.

[rboat]

I am strictly catch photo & release! If you catch and keep that is your right. Most people will fish at least a couple times during their life. That alone is a lot of pressure. Even our huge oceans are being over fished. Keep in mind all of those fish released will not continue to survive. Some will get a bacteria from their injury or being handled, some may be injured and slower and cannot catch food or fall prey to other fish, birds, or other animals. Mother nature controls these things better than we can. Drought and floods, plant material and oxygen levels, polution, and predators all play a role in controling fish populations. Do what you believe in and let nature do the rest. JMO.