Smallmouth catch and release

[riverrat]

MDC has had smallmouth management areas for 14 yrs now and keep adding new areas every year-thats great but don't you think its time they took the next step to a catch and release area?

[Wayne SW/MO]

I think its past time, and I think it can be justified in the fact that the streams today bear little resemblance to those that spawned the 6 fish limit.

The simple fact is that most populations of fish that inhabit natural environments, can't sustain an old fashioned fish fry whenever someone wants one. In fact I think the number available is so low they might as well make some extensive cutbacks while they can.

Its not just Smallies, whens the last time anyone saw a 5lb Redhorse?

[Steve Smith]

Man,I would agree that C&R for smallies is needed, especially with the skinny water we've had with the drought. Even after recent rains, many of the creeks can be stepped over in places.

[Wayne SW/MO]

It would probably benefit everyone to encourage the MDC to separate the natural waters from the man made waters for the purpose of fishing regulations. They saw the necessity of protecting the Smallies during the spawn decades ago. This was because of their vulnerability, and they are more vulnerable now with less water and more fishermen.

I'm not a gigger, but I can see that Sucker numbers are low and the size is small compared to the past. I realize that they can't return a gigged fish, but if they put a limit on them and charge double, or even triple for a small fish, they will pass on fish they believe are undersized.

The same goes for Smallies. If you can't fish any longer with a Smallie of a certain size in your possession, the honest ones will return the bigger fish.

[ollie]

Hey, we have C&R on trout streams, why can't we have them on some of the smallie streams? I think we are looooong overdue for some changes on our streams. I know we have made some progress with length limits, but I have to agree with changes.