The Late Great Lake Taneycomo

[laker67]

As many of you are aware, Murdoc has posted a poll, "upper lake taneycomo", Bigger Browns 24 inch limit. MDC is currently conducting a creel check survey to determine if length limits and other regulations need to be upgraded. They visit this website frequently and are aware of the ongoing poll. The last poll conducted was completed "6 years ago". It could very well be another "10 years" before another survey would be conducted. We need votes and especially comments. For and against, we need both sides.

I would like to compare the situation " now ", to an incident that happened around 1977. Around 1977, the mayor of Hollister, Mo., started a petition for a "trophy area" on upper taneycomo. Same boundries as now in effect. Myself and several other concerned anglers signed and tried to help promote the idea.

No one else was concerned. They were to busy, fishing and catching, to think that it would ever end. The mayor could not get enough signatures to fullfill the minimim requirement. Guess what? Lake Taneycomo, the premiere rainbow trout destination of the USA, died in 1982. Lake Taneycomo is back once again due to the very hard work of people like Mike Kruse and others from MDC. For about an 8 year period Taneycomo was no better, maybe worse, than any trout park destination. Since 2005, I see familar patterns developing once again. A tremendous increase in fishing pressure. More legally caught "large fish" being creeled. More illegally caught "large fish" being creeled. I find more and more evidence of illegal bait use. When you caution someone about an illegal activity, here's what they say. "I did'nt read the regulation sign". How did they know a regulation sign existed if they did not read it? Who can say that we are not headed back towards that late 70's slump? But maybe, with this poll, we can keep it moving forward. Thank you for your time, and Murdoc and others would appreciated your input.

[Trav]

I support the 24" limit.

I am afraid that our boys enforcing the limit is under staffed. What is the point of making new regulations when they can't manage the rules we have now?

Just my two cents.

[loo10]

I support the 24" limit.

I am afraid that our boys enforcing the limit is under staffed. What is the point of making new regulations when they can't manage the rules we have now?

Just my two cents.

I wholeheartedly agree with these comments!!!!

[zander]

I support the bigger limit on browns. And I think that our own homegrown poachers far outweigh the impact of the immigrant poachers you are referring to.

[zander]

Kevin, I appreciate you posting on the forum, but the topic is about Taneycomo not Kansas, the intent is to gather measurable public support for a possible increase on the minimum length for browns on Taneycomo. I have no doubt that you have had the experiences you have described. I think we have all seen that from time to time, but I can't remember seeing it on Taney ever. Maybe someone else has, but I think I can speak for most "locals" in saying that the local variety are the common variety of poacher.

Now that we know we aren't in Kansas anymore (could resist the chance to use it Kevin), I think that laker67 is right that we are at a crucial point in time again. With the recent exapansion on Taney itself more people will mean more pressure, and more needs to be done to improve the fishery.

[laker67]

Thanks for the comments guys! For anyone reading this I encourage you to weigh-in on Murdoc's poll.

[Black Mayfly]

I posted my reply to Murdoc's poll last week. Reading this thread and Kevin's concerns about forgein poachers ruining fishing here in Kansas - Yes, I too am living in KS. I agree with some of his statements; however, I have seen a number of locals in boats both here in KS and in the Ozarks harvest fish illegally.

Bottom line, poaching is poaching regardless where you are from. Personally, I would like to see more frequent creel checks in all of our tributaries including trout parks. I am what a would describe as a frequent angler and I cannot recall the last true creel check I was subjected to.

[bigredbirdfan]

I wholeheartedly agree with these comments!!!!

Ditto: Fished for years and never been checked. Like to think I am a trustworthey looking person, but I am sure it is an under staffed enforcement that is the reason.

As a note: Have seen people get caught smoking pot on the river by agents using optics from trees. I guess that is worse than taking a boat full of fish and destroying fisheries for people.

[AZ_Trout]

.I would be in favor of only C&R above Fall Creek on any trout. Below Fall Creek Browns over 24 inches may be kept. I'd even push the Brown minimum to 26 inches. You want to keep fish -- fish down by the Landing, or Campgrounds, Trout Docks.

[DoveTail]

Something should be done about the bait fishing downstream and put some size restrictions down there.