Catch-And-Keep Day

[ness]

I have to believe that most of the time it's because the season ends on the holiday that most feel kicks off the summer. Because of this you will find a lot more people fishing, mom's and dad's taking thier kids to the creek ( if the weather is good ) to catch some perch or whatever. Will they take some smallmouth? Yes, I'm sure some will. I really don't think that these types of semi-annual fisherpeople will put a dent in the fish population though. From what I've observed, most of these people will fish at the accesses that are already overfished and therefore are not any threat to the real quality fish. Most of these people don't even know that there even is a closed season, so it's better than them fishing during the months of April and May when they could possibly do some harm. Bedides it's not like the kick-off at the trout parks. At least not in my experience.

Good points there.

Any time you have an 'opening day' you're insuring that it will be popular. For whatever that's worth.

[eric1978]

Don't bet on it. I think if you spent a lot of time on some streams in the early spring you would realize there is a lot of poaching. The problem is that on many streams the smallies pack up in deep holes and are literally like shooting fish in a barrel in some areas.

Yeah, but poachers are going to poach, regardless of the rules, so nothing really applies to them anyway. I was talking about people who follow regulations. If the stream was under a Red, Blue or Yellow Ribbon management system, those who obey laws would have to release most spawning fish.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Don't bet on it. I think if you spent a lot of time on some streams in the early spring you would realize there is a lot of poaching.

I do spend a lot of time on the creeks and rivers, not only in spring but, all year long. I can honestly say that in a years time I could probably count the number of people I see fishing on one hand. I am sure Buzz will agree.

If the stream was under a Red, Blue or Yellow Ribbon management system, those who obey laws would have to release most spawning fish.

Current regulations cover most spawning fish in creeks and rivers.

[fly2fish]

I think we need to stop and look at the big picture for each river and stream large or small. For each stream there are miles and miles of spawning areas that are inaccessible except for floaters. All we see most of the times is people crowded at the access areas fishing a few hundred yards of that stream catching only fish in that area whether spawning or not, which is only a small fraction of the spawning fish in that particular stream. I sure after the first low water spell or flood the fish in the rest of the stream will disperse back into these areas again.

F2F

[Wayne SW/MO]

I do spend a lot of time on the creeks and rivers, not only in spring but, all year long. I can honestly say that in a years time I could probably count the number of people I see fishing on one hand. I am sure Buzz will agree.

Its not illegal to fish during the closed season, never has been, but killing smallies is. I can't count the number of times I've come across carcasses, but I wish I could.

I think its great CGB that the streams in your area are not only overpopulated, but well protected. The thing is, unless you've fished across the state, don't assume your experience is the standard. I've fished many areas here and in AR with better fishermen than myself and I rarely see the fishing living up to what I believe to be its potential. I know it certainly doesn't compare to the quality 25+ years ago.

[Chief Grey Bear]

Please be sure you read what I post correctly. I stated that there a couple of streams in my area that I would consider over populated. Not all of them.

The thing is unless you know all of the places that I have fished in my life time, don't assume what my experience is.

[Buzz]

Its not illegal to fish during the closed season, never has been, but killing smallies is. I can't count the number of times I've come across carcasses, but I wish I could.

I think its great CGB that the streams in your area are not only overpopulated, but well protected. The thing is, unless you've fished across the state, don't assume your experience is the standard. I've fished many areas here and in AR with better fishermen than myself and I rarely see the fishing living up to what I believe to be its potential. I know it certainly doesn't compare to the quality 25+ years ago.

What Chief is saying is that not only do we NOT see a lot of fishermen on the streams that we fish (year around), but that we don't see stringers hanging off of their canoes or their belt loops either. Honestly, outside of the accesses, I can't remember the last time I've ever seen anyone with a stringer of fish. If and when I do, I will ask to see the fish that they have caught, and if it is during the off season I WILL tell them of the laws and suggest they release the fish alive.

Maybe the fishermen in this area are just ahead of the rest of the state in the catch and release mentality. I hope so. Granted, we are not on these waters every day so I have no doubt that illegal fish are taken. All I'm saying is that, I haven't witnessed it. And like I said before, I will deal with it when the time comes. I have all of the phone numbers in my cell phone to do it too.

We as individuals have the power to stop some of these things. We just have to be willing to do so. As I'm sure most of us are already.

[Chief Grey Bear]

The thing is, unless you've fished across the state, don't assume your experience is the standard.

That statement could certainly pertain to some that are wanting to ram new regs down the rest of the states throat.

[eric1978]

Current regulations cover most spawning fish in creeks and rivers.

If there's a really late spawn, most spawning fish would not be protected, since anything over 12 inches on the vast majority of MO stream miles are fair game opening day. Besides, you could make the argument that if a 14 inch fish is taken even in October, she won't be around the next spring to spawn either. What's the difference if she's taken before spawn, during spawn, or after spawn? Either way, it's one less fish that will be spawning.

So current regulations do not protect the majority of spawning-sized fish the majority of the year. To me, the closed season is moot, although, again, like I've said a million times, it's better than nothing.

That statement could certainly pertain to some that are wanting to ram new regs down the rest of the states throat.

For a guy who doesn't harvest smallmouth, you sure fight hard against people who want only to protect them. I just can't figure out your angle...I think I have a vague idea of your political philosophy, and things just aren't fitting together. Can't get a read on you Chief. Baffling.

[Chief Grey Bear]

If there's a really late spawn,

So current regulations do not protect the majority of spawning-sized fish the majority of the year.

Can't get a read on you Chief. Baffling.

You can't base regulations on IF.

You are changing what I said. Gary, from the way it appeared to me, wanted a closed season on the smallmouth during the spring spawn in certain areas of the state. It basically mirrored, except he said EAST of the Mississippi, the closed season that is already imposed. And one other minor point is the current regs may keep it closed a few days longer. Now, I wouldn't mind seeing the season on black bass on all unimpounded waters closed from Dec.1 to May 31.

Like I stated before, I am not the only user of the resources of this state. And to want it mangaged to suit what I want, is not right. Not state wide. That is why when coldwaterfisher stated, in so many words, that I was being selfish and wanting what was for me...well...I just have to kinda laugh and realize, he hasn't been paying too close attention.