C&R Tag at Bennett Springs?

[Steve Smith]

I had read somewhere last year [i think] that MDC was planning to pilot a special catch and release daily tag at Bennett to emphasize C&R in the parks. They were also supposed to pilot a catch and release area in all parks. I was just wondering if any of the regulars at Bennett noted this or did it fall through the cracks? Roaring River has had a trophy C&R zone for some time now, and I would certainly like to see an annual C&R tag for the parks. If one wanted to keep some fish, a daily tag could be purchased.

[Lucky Fly]

An annual C&R tag for the parks would be an awesome idea. I release 95% of the trout that I catch and I ask that people that I take fishing with me do the same (most do). I will keep a couple of trout for lunch or dinner when I camp at Roaring River, but besides that, I release the rest. I hope that MDC can work something out.

steve

[Bob A]

I had read somewhere last year [i think] that MDC was planning to pilot a special catch and release daily tag at Bennett to emphasize C&R in the parks. They were also supposed to pilot a catch and release area in all parks. I was just wondering if any of the regulars at Bennett noted this or did it fall through the cracks? Roaring River has had a trophy C&R zone for some time now, and I would certainly like to see an annual C&R tag for the parks. If one wanted to keep some fish, a daily tag could be purchased.

I also would welcome a catch and release area but can see a lot of resistance from many of the visitors which could result in a decrease of tags sold (thus less revenues). On the other hand, such a program just might attract many others who favor C&R in that such a program may well improve the overall fishing quality. Lets see what happens.

Bob A

[Wayne SW/MO]

I will keep a couple of trout for lunch or dinner when I camp at Roaring River

This is the third group that dictates much of the thought. You have those who kill none in a weekend trip, those that kill 1 or 2 and those that kill as many as a dozen or so. I think a large number of C&R tags will encourage some to go even farther.

This is why I see no other solution than a C&R section. The offset to the argument is that it makes more fish available in the other areas.

I might point out that the idea is at least 25 years old, and I don't know why the MDC seems to have had no interest in the past? The thinking now may be that they are looking ahead to their hatchery capacities.