Msa's Blue Ribbon Panel Update

[Dan Kreher]

The Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel of the MO Smallmouth Alliance has been pretty busy over the past few weeks in formulating and then proposing new regulations for the management of SMB in Missouri's streams.

A description of the Panel's recent presentation the Regulations Committee of the MDC in Jefferson City is included below. A copy of presentation made to the MDC will be available at www.missourismallmouthalliance.org later this week.

On February 22, Al Agnew, Norman Leppo and Dan Kreher, members of MSA’s Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel, went before the Regulations Committee of the Missouri Department of Conservation in Jefferson City to propose specific management changes for smallmouth bass in our state’s rivers, streams and creeks. These suggested fisheries management measures were developed by BRAP earlier this year. MDC’s Regulations Committee is currently in the process of reviewing Missouri’s Wildlife Code and is considering potential changes in the various fishing, hunting and trapping rules to become effective in 2011. Presenting before the Regulations Committee is the first step in moving our agenda forward with the MDC and represented a perfect time for the Blue Ribbon Panel to make its pitch.

In an effort to help create world class smallmouth bass fishing in Missouri through the enactment of quality-based fisheries management practices, the Blue Ribbon Panel put forth essentially three separate proposals as follows:

• An increase in the statewide minimum length limit (MLL) from the current 12-inch MLL to 15 inches combined with a reduction in the 6 fish daily creel limit to 3 SMB per day.

• The expansion in the number of Stream Black Bass Special Management Areas (SBBSMA) featuring a 15-inch MLL and a daily creel limit of 1 SMB. Currently, approximately 300 miles of water is under such management. BRAP proposes adding an additional 9 streams and doubling to 600 miles in 15/1 managed water.

• The designation of an additional four stream sections as SBBSMAs managed as trophy fisheries utilizing an 18-inch MLL and a 1 SMB daily creel limit. Today sections of Jacks Fork and Gasconade rivers are included within this program. This proposal serves to triple the miles of stream so managed to approximately 150 total miles.

The suggested 15/1 Special Regs areas include sections of the upper Meramec, upper Gasconade, James, Bourbeuse, North Fork of White and Big Piney Rivers as well as stretches of Courtois, Huzzah and Bryant Creeks. Some areas adjoin existing Special Regs areas while others are on entirely new streams.

The 18/1 Special Regs areas include Ozark streams with a reputation for producing larger SMB including the Gasconade, Meramec, Big Piney and Current Rivers. Three of these trophy regs sections adjoin existing Special Regs waters already identified by the MDC as high potential fisheries.

In all cases, the Blue Ribbon Panel tried to avoid any streams or stream sections which the MDC had previously evaluated and excluded from Special Regs designation in the White Paper project.

The MDC’s recently issued SMB White Paper Summary (discussed in the Jan/Feb 2010 issue of BBN) overwhelmingly supports that a combination of higher minimum length limits and reduced daily creel limits have been highly effective in improving angler catch rates, average fish sizes and the proportional stock densities of larger SMB within the Special Regs areas. The science has been proven and it frankly is time for the MDC to greatly increase the number of streams managed under quality regs to provide a greater opportunity for SMB anglers to catch more and larger fish in our moving waters.

In addition, the existing statewide length and creel limits in Missouri were established decades ago, long before the advent of widespread catch and release fishing for bass. Today, we believe that the majority of stream SMB anglers are much more interested in catching fish for the pure enjoyment of it than for the prospect of providing a tasty meal. Our angler survey results presented in the Nov/Dec 2009 issue of BBN clearly supports this view at least among the 240+ SMB anglers polled.

Despite this fact, the majority of our stream SMB fisheries continue to be managed under a maximum sustained yield philosophy using a low minimum length limit and a relatively high daily creel limit. Consequently, Missouri streams boast large numbers of SMB up to 12 inches or so in length and reflect an overall size structure of adult SMB plagued by an over-abundance of angler harvest. That certain anglers choose to keep their limit of SMB is not the issue; rather, the regs themselves simply allow too much harvest given the extremely slow growth rates of SMB in our streams and their naturally low numbers as predators at the top of the ecological food chain. The regs are outdated and are not effective in protecting our stream SMB resources. Change is needed.

Members of the Regulations Committee admitted that they probably couldn’t find fault with our arguments from a biological standpoint, but cautioned that they are required to find a balance in both protecting the resource while also being sensitive to the needs of all users of that resource. Clearly, the MDC’s job is not an easy one and they generally move cautiously when it comes to significant management revisions. However, our role as the Missouri Smallmouth Alliance is a rather simple one -- to promote our agenda as avid smallmouth bass anglers in a manner that supports sustainable quality SMB fisheries.

Our recommendations will be addressed by the Fisheries division of the MDC who will then be responsible for reporting back to the Regulations Committee in a timely manner. Although no specific timeframe was given at the meeting, BRAP will continue to pursue this matter to require definitive action on the part of the MDC. Ultimately, our representatives will meet before the four Commissioners of the MDC, the final arbiters on all regulations changes to the Wildlife Code. We’ll certainly be prepared when that time comes targeted for later this year.

We will keep the membership posted via the newsletter, e-mails and on the MSA online forum as this situation continues to unfold. The strong support of our membership is essential in eventually making these proposals a reality.

A copy of the presentation given to the Regulations Committee, including the specific stream sections proposed, is available on the MSA’s website at www.missourismallmouthalliance.org.

I'll throw the specific stream sections proposed on another e-mail shortly.

[Dan Kreher]

This past weekend BRAP members presented the same regulations changes to the Conservation Federation of Missouri and these resolutions were overwhelmingly approved by its membership.

See write up of this development below.

The Blue Ribbon Panel of the MO Smallmouth Alliance is pleased to report that its three resolutions regarding recommended changes to the MDC’s management of SMB in MO streams were unanimously ratified by the Conservation Federation of Missouri’s (CFM) annual meeting held the weekend of February 26-28, 2010 at The Lodge of Four Seasons. The CFM is citizen conservation organization formed in 1935 with more than 70 affiliated clubs and over 30,000 members in the state and whose efforts led to the creation of the MDC, a non-political conservation agency that has been the model for other states. These resolutions will now be presented to the MDC by CFM as recommended actions. This is yet another key step in moving forward on the adoption of quality-based regs for SMB here in the Show-Me State.

Interestingly, the co-chairman of the CFM resolutions committee is none other than current MDC Commissioner Don Johnson – a true friend to fishermen and seemingly quite sympathetic to our mission of creating world-class SMB fishing in MO. It is hoped that the exposure which both the Alliance and its suggested management changes received at the CFM conference will help solidify support for these resolutions.

The specific resolutions were essentially the three management changes presented to the MDC’s Regulations Committee the previous Monday including a statewide minimum length and creel limit change and the expansion of 15/1 and 18/1 Stream Black Bass Special Management Areas on several of our better SMB streams in the Ozarks.

Norm Leppo, Matt Wier and Dan Kreher put forth each of these resolutions following a brief introductory presentation on MSA, BRAP, the MDC’s White Paper effort and its conclusions capped off by an overview of the current statewide length and creel limits for SMB in streams. The presentation was very well received by those in attendance and based on the observation of the genesis of other resolutions put forth at the conference, most likely the one supported by the most in depth research and forethought.

During the CFM Fisheries committee meeting where the resolutions were first proposed, concern over potential confusion among anglers when faced with a variety of SMB regs was raised and discussed. BRAP responded that with the implementation of the regulations covered by these resolutions, that anglers would need to understand essentially three different sets of regs – a statewide 15/3 reg, special regs of 15/1 and special regs of 18/1—really the same number of different regs as we have for stream SMB today. This level of regulations complexity also matches the number of different regulations anglers need to know when trout fishing in the state today under the MDC’s White, Red and Blue Ribbon stream designations. As noted in previous discussions, the new SMB regs could be similarly designated by a suitable color – Bronze, Silver and Gold in keeping with the Olympic spirit perhaps? With a well-designed communications plan and adequate informational signage, these regs could be easily determinable by stream anglers. Many other states have much more complicated fisheries regulations than we do here in Missouri so it seems reasonable that folks could figure things out if given a chance.

So what does all of this mean?

The CFM resolutions will be presented to the MDC sometime in March. The Blue Ribbon Panel will work with CFM Executive Director, Dave Murphy -- who is one hell of a passionate and effective leader for CFM and its affiliate organizations by the way -- on an appropriate course of action in following these resolutions through the halls of the MDC. The group will also keep in touch with Don Johnson, whom Norm Leppo knows quite well from his longtime involvement in CFM, as well as then approach MDC Director Bob Ziehmer down the line to inquire on the status of these proposed resolutions with the MDC.

Although we shouldn’t automatically expect the MDC to agree to enact each of our proposals to be effective in 2011, the reception these proposals received at the CFM conference and their apparent support within the MDC are very positive signs indeed. It appears that we are now on a path that will definitely lead to significant changes in the management of stream SMB in Missouri. What we’re asking for makes complete sense from a biological perspective and is clearly in the best interest of the SMB resource available to all citizens – and visitors – to Missouri. The biological and scientific studies have been completed, the science has been proven to work and the climate both within the MDC and among anglers has never been more favorable for the creation of world-class stream SMB angling right here at home since the inception of our organization.

[Dan Kreher]

SMB regs changes presented to the MDC and CFM include the following:

MSA's Blue Ribbon Advisory Panel (BRAP) recently proposed the following changes for the managemet of SMB in MO streams to both the Regulations Committee of the MO Department of Conservation and the Conservation Federation of Missouir:

Increase the minimum length limit from 12 inches to 15 inches

Decrease the daily creel limit from 6 SMB to 3 SMB while keeping the total black bass (largemouth, smallmouth and spotted bass) at 6 in combination (unless otherwise specified)

Justification for this regs change includes:

12" MLL establihed in 1974 and supports maximum sustained yield approach to fisheries management

12" MLL greatly favors harvest of SMB for food at expense of catching more and larger SMB

Higher MLLs have shown to produce significant increases in angler catch rate, average fish sizes and proportional stock density of large SMB -- results from MDC White Paper effort studying the establshed Special Regs areas in state

15" MLL has produced high quality angling on many of MO's popular reserviors

Anglers want opportunity to catch more and larger SMB

Anglers overwhelmingly support regulations that produce more and larger SMB than fish filets

6 fish creel limit is outdated -- established my MDC in 1961 -- favors anglers harvest of SMB at expense of fish quality

15-inch / 1 fish creel SMB Special Regs Areas

MSA's Blue Ribbon Panel recently proposed that the MDC expand the number of Special Regs areas managed using a 15-inch minimum length / 1 SMB creel limit by adding 9 more stream reaches totaling approximately 300 miles in length. These streams represent some of Ozarks higher quality fisheries, exhibit strong potential for improvement of average fish sizes given their stream habitat, and such regs are generally well-supported by anglers, guides and outfitters who frequent these stream reaches. These proposed ares are as follows:

Big Piney River – MDC Boiling Springs access downstream to USFS Slabtown access (14 miles)

James River – MDC Delaware Town access downstream to MDC Hooten Town access (12 miles)

Meramec River – MDC Short Bend access downstream to MDC Woodson K Woods access (26 miles)

Gasconade River – MDC Wilber Allen access downstream to MDC Hazelgreen access (54 miles)

North Fork of White River – Hwy 76 bridge downstream to MDC Hammond access (29 miles)

Bryant Creek – Bell School access downstream to MDC Florence C. Cook access (24 miles)

Bourbeuse River – Hwy 19 bridge downstream to MDC Union access (94 miles)

Courtois Creek – Brazil low-water bridge downstream to Huzzah Creek (21 miles)

Huzzah Creek – Hwy 49 bridge downstream to MDC Scotia Bridge access (29 miles)

Several of these proposed stream sections are on rivers where MDC Special Regs areas have already proven to produce more and larger SMB (Big Piney, Gasconade, James, Meramec), while special regs on the North Fork, Bryant, Huzzah and Courtois would greatly improve the quality of these fisheries. The Bourbeuse, still a good SMB stream, faces severe threats from the expansion of non-native SMB (similar to its sister stream Big River); BRAP is proposing that the Bourbeuse be managed similarly to the Big with a relaxed limit on Spots while affording greater protection to native SMB populations.

18" / 1 SMB creel limit SMB Special Regs Areas

SMB fishing on the trophy sections of the Jacks Fork and Gasconade River (46 stream miles in total) has never been better due an 18-inch MLL / 1 SMB creel limit. MSA's BRAP recently proposed that these trophy regs be expanded to an additional 4 stream reaches to incude the following:

Big Piney River (USFS East Gate access to Gasconade River: 19 miles)

Meramec River (Bird’s Nest access to MDC Blue Springs access: 29 miles)

Gasconade River (MDC Mitschele access to MDC Riddle Bridge access: 38 miles)

Current River (Powder Mill access to Van Buren City Park access: 26 miles)

These represent some of MO's finest SMB streams and have consistently shown their ability to produce trophy SMB given their great habitat and size.

Imposition of these regs would raise trophy regs to nearly 150 miles of stream in Ozarks providing anglers an opportunity to catch boh greater numbers of SMB as all fish would be protected from harvest until reaching 18 inches in length as well as the chance to catch a real lunker Ozark bronzeback!

These streams are already good, these regs would make them great!

[eric1978]

The Bourbeuse, still a good SMB stream, faces severe threats from the expansion of non-native SMB (similar to its sister stream Big River)

Thought I'd point out the typo in the last of three posts by Dan for clarification purposes...should be "spotted bass" instead of "SMB."

Great job guys! It would be amazing if MDC adopted your recommendations. I've got my fingers crossed!

[fozzie.]

Glad to hear it sounds like the Conservation Federation is behind you guys on this one, and that MDC is at least willing to listen and perhaps make changes. I certainly think these regs could produce higher quality smallmouth fisheries in the Ozarks, and broaden the diversity of smallmouth angling options in the region.

Good luck, and I hope to hear more positive news in the future!

[Dan Kreher]

Thought I'd point out the typo in the last of three posts by Dan for clarification purposes...should be "spotted bass" instead of "SMB."

Great job guys! It would be amazing if MDC adopted your recommendations. I've got my fingers crossed!

Nice catch on Bourbeuse. Yes, I meant to type Spotted Bass not SMB.

Thanks.

[Wayne SW/MO]

Sounds good, but I would have liked to see some areas farther west included such as something in the Elk area, like Indian perhaps and something farther north towards Joplin.

[Gary Lange]

I really feel that those proposals if adopted will make a big improvement in the Smallmouth Fishing for the areas that it covers.

The Southwestern Missouri Alliance will need to address some of the fishing in the creeks, streams and rivers in its area and make some recommendations to the Blue Ribbon Panel. I however need to find out what rivers, streams and creeks we have in the Southwestern Missouri section. I hope we get a good turnout for the 1st Meeting so I can learn a little about the area waters.

[Dan Kreher]

Sounds good, but I would have liked to see some areas farther west included such as something in the Elk area, like Indian perhaps and something farther north towards Joplin.

Not being as familiar with the SMB rivers of the far SW corner of state, the Blue Ribbon Panel did tend to gravitate towards the streams on which its members were most knowledgeable. We did suggest an addition to the established area on the James, but did not mention any other SW MO streams as you point out.

The Elk has 22 miles under Special Regs today -- perhaps there should be more

Several other SW MO streams may have been considered by our committee but we wanted to generally avoid any of the streams covered in the MDC's White Paper effort which had been prevoiulsy rejected for various reasons. We did not want to give the MDC any reason to reject our proposals or get into a peeing contest over why or why not certain streams were picked for Special Regs in the White Paper while others were not. We just didn't think this would be a productive exercise at this point.

Rivers in SW MO that were rejected as part of White Paper evaluation include the following:

Finley River

Indian Creek

Shoal Creek

Others in the western part of the state that the MDC failed to approve for special status included:

Beaver Creek

Tavern Creek

Weaubleau Creek

Little Niangua

Niangua

and several others in central MO.

Looking at the map of MO, you can certainly see that the MDC short-changed those SMB rivers in the Springfield/Joplin area. But given the MDC's decentralized approach and the somewhat subjective evaluation criteria used, it is not surprising that the results appear uneven.

Most of the streams suggested by MSA for Special Regs expansion were either never evaluated by the MDC for some reason or are on rivers where special regs have already been shown to be highly effective in producing more and larger SMB, higher catch rates and increases in proportional stock densities of adult SMB. So we essentially wanted to use the MDC's own research to reinforce our suggestions.

We were not familiar with the issues facing the Neosho strain (or not a strain) of SMB -- not looking to start a discussion on that topic again -- but that would be something that the SW MO MSA chapter should definitely investigate for further consideration. As the group gets up and running, we can work on that issue together to see if something can be done to protect native populations and their fragile stream habitat.

Even without special regs designation on streams, the enactment of a statewide 15" MLL and a daily creel of 3 SMB would certainly help raise the bar for stream SMB fishing in MO a great deal. We'll keep pushing as hard as we can with the folks in Jeff City and the Commissioners on behalf of SMB anglers across the state.

Take care.

[Chief Grey Bear]

The Elk has 22 miles under Special Regs today -- perhaps there should be more

Looking at the map of MO, you can certainly see that the MDC short-changed those SMB rivers in the Springfield/Joplin area. But given the MDC's decentralized approach and the somewhat subjective evaluation criteria used, it is not surprising that the results appear uneven.

We'll keep pushing as hard as we can with the folks in Jeff City and the Commissioners on behalf of SMB anglers across the state.

Take care.

I am not sure how much of the Elk there is. I believe it to only be about 22 miles in length.

Before any new regulations get "pushed" upon us that got "short-changed", I would hope that some further studies are conducted first on the those waterways flowing west out of this corner of the state to establish what would be best for the Neosho strain. It was my understanding that, from talking to a biologist, the current special regs on the Elk may in fact be helping the LMB more than the SMB. I think there is also some question as to whether the Neosho strain has the same growth rate and reaches the same size as the TN strain.

All I am saying is I think there may be some other dynamics in play in this small corner that may not be condusive with state wide special regs.