Are Length/Slot Limits Still Revelant?

[fishfordollars]

Just wondering what everyone's thoughts are on this subject. Personally I lean to the thought that we have all(Bass fishermen) have been conditiloned to the point that we don't keep enough of the smaller fish.

We have lakes in our area that are overrun with 10-13" fish. Some need to be removed, but it would be a cold day in hell before you caught some of our tourney anglers opening the livewell lid to drop one in. The parks and wildlife departments are begging us to reduce the numbers of smaller fish from some of the waters, but still, none do.

Should we or not?

[A-Jay]

I agree with you on all points.

The "small fish syndrome" is fairly wide spread in area also.

Perhaps it's a by product of the minimum size regulations that are currently in place here rather than a slot size limit rule. As for keeping smaller fish to help the fishery, I would do it if the regulations would allow; I certainly catch a good number of dinks each trip. As I would not be eating the fish, keeping them would be tough at first. The "conditioning" you talked about has a good grip on many of us.

A-Jay

[Bankbeater]

X3

I know of a couple of lakes around me where the primary food source is bluegill. No one has caught anything over two pounds in years.

[Nice_Bass]

I have no problem frying up a some short fish- specific lakes do need this in their mgmt. however it does not get done. I a few private lakes I fish, we will keep 10 inch fish like crappie for an outing or two just to keep them in check-

I really don't ever want to keep a keeper, but you show me a legal short fish and I will show it the grease.

I only wish some of our public waters had a slot and a defined timeframe for it to take place.

[oteymc]

There is a lake around here that has a slot limit, and I usually take some home from there every time.  I do think it needs to be done more because there are a lot of small fish in there.  I also believe there are several other fisheries around here that need to do the same thing.

However, if the anglers don't keep the little fish, a slot limit doesn't help.  From what others tell me, it has really improved the walleye fishing by having slot limits.

[NBR]

On the Ontario side of the MN/ONT border the small mouth size restriction is nothing more than 13.4 inches. The last time I was up there if you needed an eater for dinner it was tough to catch one small enough.

[Wayne P.]

This sign is posted at one of the lakes I fish. It is basically ignored by those targeting bass.

[Glenn]

A couple of good articles on the topic:

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/catch_release.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fishing/catch_and_release_bass.html

http://www.bassresource.com/fish_biology/selective_harvest.html

[7mm-08]

I agree that this can be a problem.  The same thing exists in deer hunting where not enough does are being harvested.

[WRB]

The C&R mind set for bass fisherman is promoted by tournament bass anglers and has become almost a religion. The general public doesn't share the C & R belief that all bass must be released, they believe legal size and quantity of fish species should be kept and eaten.

If a lake has an imbalance of bass sizes, the biologist will recommend a slot limit. If the lake is large enough and the bass population is healthy (no LMBV or other malady), slot limits may not be required.

The 1lb to 2lb size bass are a good eating size and keeping a few bass that are not going to survive being caught will not harm the fishery. The selective harvest logic is better for the bass population than the 100% C & R logic.

The idea that all bass survive C & R is false, some will die as a result of being caught. The C & R anglers are killing bass, they don't see it.

WRB

PS; 30 years ago I was an avid C & R bass angler and still promote releasing trophy size bass.

[5bass]

I'm all for C&R but also understand that 100% C&R isn't necessarily a good thing in certain instances.

I will always keep a few 'legal' dinks to give to my grandad and will keep giving them to him until he says the freezer is full.

C&R is overkill when not used properly.

[RobbyZ5001]

Just some quick thoughts on the post.

Each and every water body is different. In my opinion many of the limits are set so the source won't get overly depleted. There are not enough funds to sample each and every water body, and look at size distributions, relative weight, and etc..

Many very good points were made on this issue. I am sure I will have my thoughts. I will post later. I like how fisherman are starting to think about topics such as this.

[Dave P]

There is a lake around here that has a slot limit, and I usually take some home from there every time. I do think it needs to be done more because there are a lot of small fish in there. I also believe there are several other fisheries around here that need to do the same thing.

However, if the anglers don't keep the little fish, a slot limit doesn't help. From what others tell me, it has really improved the walleye fishing by having slot limits.

We've got a state park around here with a slot limit and it's the same deal. TONS of skinny dinks and slots on the short end. Anything you catch that's an over is a giant head on a skinny body. No forage other than gills. It's pathetic.

[cart7t]

In my state of Missouri, the first state to aggressively install length limits as a means of fish management in the 70's, the fish and game dept. is pretty good at also strongly promoting the keeping of smaller fish in waters that are experiencing an undersized fish population.

I guess it comes down to how well your states F&G department manages it's water resources.

[aarogb]

My local lake (Shearon Harris Lake) has a slot limit from 16" to 20" and because of this it is the best big fish lake in the state.

[NorcalBassin]

I would love to see a slot limit on the waters I usually fish. You can catch 10-12" bass all spring/summer long year after year, after year, after year, after year...

[Sam]

I just can't do it.

I throw every fish back.

I name some, too, before throwing them back.

But then I talk to the geese, too.        

[K_Mac]

Illinois has a number of lakes with slot limits. The numbers vary from lake to lake. My home lake (Cedar) has a 14"-18" slot. The average fish on this lake is bigger than any other public lake within a hundred mile of here (with the exception of a local power plant lake that has a year round growing season) in my experience.

I keep a few small fish for the table a couple of times a year because the DNR recommends doing so. They do monitor the lake for size and numbers. Sam I understand, keeping bass is not a natural activity for me either.

[fishfordollars]

Sam, i feel the same way. Just can't do it.

[Nine Miler]

I just can't do it.

I throw every fish back.

I name some, too, before throwing them back.

But then I talk to the geese, too. :D

I do it too.  I have to carry spiders outside to let them go, my wife on the other hand, can't get to the shoe fast enough to lay some death on 'em.  I try to talk her out of it every time.

[Nice_Bass]

Illinois has a number of lakes with slot limits. The numbers vary from lake to lake. My home lake (Cedar) has a 14"-18" slot. The average fish on this lake is bigger than any other public lake within a hundred mile of here (with the exception of a local power plant lake that has a year round growing season) in my experience.

I keep a few small fish for the table a couple of times a year because the DNR recommends doing so. They do monitor the lake for size and numbers. Sam I understand, keeping bass is not a natural activity for me either.

I miss Cedar and all the others down there.  Lived there for a long while.  On the bright side, I do get to fish Clinton whenever i want to now.

[K_Mac]

nice_bass I haven't fished Clinton in years. I would love to get up there this winter. Cedar is in great shape. PM me if you want to come on down and fish it. 8-)