Bigger Brown Limit 24"

[laker67]

http://users.aristotle.net/~russjohn/nature/trout.html

http://www.ozarkmtns.com/fishing/northfork/manleys.htm

http://www.fishing-arkansas.com/byspecies/...state-trout.asp

Everyone needs to take time and read these articles that taxidermist has posted. Especially the last one. Note the reference to "several fish over 30 pounds have been caught since 1972." Without exception, Arkansas has the greatest population of "landlocked" record class brown trout in North America, if not the world. Taneycomo has 22 miles of water to hide and protect large fish. Arkansas has at least triple that area. We need to work with what we have to give our fish an added measure of protection to reach that 30 pound mark. How many out there have caught a 20 pound fish from Taneycomo? Imagine, in 10 years time, some one like Jim Lowe writes this article in the Conservation Magazine. Since implementing the 24 inch limit on brown trout, Taneycome has produced numerous fish between 20 & 30 pounds, and an increasing number of fish over the 30 pound mark.

Like I said earlier, MDC monitors this site. Our comments and vote might have an impact on future decisions. Twenty minutes of your time to read this topic and vote, could put your name in the record book some day. If not yours, maybe your son or daughter. We appreciate all input, in favor of or against.

Thank you!

[Bill B.]

As long as we're changing regulations, let's make the Trophy Zone barbless hooks only. That should help a bit with mortality. I'm thinking about what the treble hooks on crankbaits can do to a big brown when inhaled.

If I could, I'd vote for a one-fish-per-season, 30-inch minimum on browns in Taneycomo. Keep one fish, check it in at an authorized station for record-keeping, and have a box checked off on your license. That would help protect some of the pigs that Taneycomo could grow. Especially if the MDC would put real teeth into enforcement.

[laker67]

As long as we're changing regulations, let's make the Trophy Zone barbless hooks only. That should help a bit with mortality. I'm thinking about what the treble hooks on crankbaits can do to a big brown when inhaled.

If I could, I'd vote for a one-fish-per-season, 30-inch minimum on browns in Taneycomo. Keep one fish, check it in at an authorized station for record-keeping, and have a box checked off on your license. That would help protect some of the pigs that Taneycomo could grow. Especially if the MDC would put real teeth into enforcement.

Thank you Bill! Input like this is what MDC and concerned anglers are looking for. I like the idea of the barbless hooks. The other proposal might limit some line class records, but I am certainly not opposed to it.

[trout fanatic]

Didn't even have to think about it. I voted yes, as well. Good Idea!!

[laker67]

Murdoc,

I found another name to put on your contact list.

Andy Austin-Fisheries Regional Supervisor for the southwest region.

[bigredbirdfan]

Voted yes only one time. Would like to see the whole lake with increased size of fish especially rainbow. Too many 9-10" fish.

[Murdoc]

bigredbirdfan,

That would be SWEET!! But you know the deal! I had one person pm me that he didn't want his tackel torn up with big fish! I think I would love to give a big Brown the chance!!! Thanks to everyone for voting!!!

For those who are voting no. Please let me know why? I might be missing something and everyone has a right to their opinion. I will not ridicule. That's not my style. I've always had a open mind. Thanks!!

[Capt. Bly]

Since I am relatively new to trout fishing Taneycomo, (just started this spring with Leonards help) I don't know how qualified I am to comment. I haven't caught a brown over 20 inches yet but in my three trips so far this year the 18 & 19 inch ones I have caught have be a BLAST!! So bigger ones would be bigger fun!

[loo10]

As long as we're changing regulations, let's make the Trophy Zone barbless hooks only. That should help a bit with mortality. I'm thinking about what the treble hooks on crankbaits can do to a big brown when inhaled.

If I could, I'd vote for a one-fish-per-season, 30-inch minimum on browns in Taneycomo. Keep one fish, check it in at an authorized station for record-keeping, and have a box checked off on your license. That would help protect some of the pigs that Taneycomo could grow. Especially if the MDC would put real teeth into enforcement.

I don't keep any of my browns so it isn't going to change what I do or don't keep.

(And yes, I voted...24"- yes)

But I thought this comment went a little nutso.

Barbless only?

Check in at an authorized station and have your license checked?

Welcome to Point Zero.....Czechoslovakia.

Come on!

Next thing we'll be wanting to ban all boats.

Then, limit it to flyrods only.

Then bamboo flyrods only.

Then bamboo fly rods with single action fly reels only.

How about flies only?

Or flies tied with silk thread only?

When will the madness end?

Let's have as few regulations as possible but enforce them!

I don't care about you guys using spinning rods & rapalas.

But we gotta do something about the bait fishermen every night in the restricted area!!!!!

[Phil Lilley]

MDC's stance on barbless has been, in the past, they don't help hooking mortality so why enforce it? I've yet to find a study that shows barbless helps keep fish alive after being caught.

The one reason why I don't like the barbless rule is that #1- anglers get ticketed because they left a little tiny point sticking up and it catches the agent's sleeve. or #2- an angler forgets to bend a barb down or thought he did or thought he was using a barbless hook and gets checked and gets a ticket.

It's bad PR. It's a social thing in the eyes of most fisheries biologists, at least the ones I know.

I would fight it, personally.

As for enforcement, MDC knows statewide they are thin. It would cost the state so much money to increase enforcement where needed, not just Taneycomo. One argument is to increase the trout stamp on just Tany to cover an additional agent just for Taney.

As for limiting # of any trout, large or small, it has to work into MDC's management scheme. It's not as simple as just making a rule to appease the lunker hunters. But make no mistake, MDC likes big fish and they'll do what they can to achieve the best results for Taney and any other fishery in the state.