Stop The Closure Petition

[Trav]

That smallmouth habitat isn't coming back unless the dams come down...and that ain't happenin'. The tailwaters would mostly be a waste of space without trout in them. I would hope, if the federal hatcheries were shut down, that MDC would pick up the slack at least a little bit, and continue to stock...and they could stock way fewer fish if they implemented C&R only regs.

What makes you think that's Obama's website? Because it's called "change.org?" It's not. It's just a liberal advocacy group that fights for social, economic, and ecological progress.

I'm really disappointed in the President blindly slashing puny bits of pork here and there just to grease the squeeky wheel...but what do you expect him to do when all everyone from one side of the political spectrum does is throw tantrums about government spending and federal programs? He's darn if he does and darn if he doesn't. I sure wish it wasn't one of MY main interests in life that might be affected, but someone's gonna lose when federal funds are cut anywhere...just happens to be us this time.

There it is...the right wing/left wing debate coms out. I still think the subject is about the world with or without hatchery fish....lol

Anyway....back to the subject....The Dams don’t have to be barren wastelands without trout…The water coming out of the Dams are what? I think 42 to 58 degrees depending on the time of year.

Smallies spawn in water temps of 55 to 60. In Canada, they spawn in water as low as 50 degrees.

White bass spawn in water between 50 and 55 degrees. In Wisconsin they will spawn in 45 degree water.

Walleye spawn in 40 to 45 degree water.

Muskies spawn in water between 48 and 59 degree water.

Northern Pike spawn in 35 to 40 degree water.

There are species which will fill the void of stocked trout if properly managed.

[eric1978]

There it is...the right wing/left wing debate coms out. I still think the subject is about the world with or without hatchery fish....lol

Anyway....back to the subject...

The subject is federal funding of hatcheries...and it's inherently and blatantly political. There's no way of discussing it without discussing it.

[flytyer57]

http://www.change.org/petitions/stop-budget-cuts-that-end-federal-funding-for-fish-hatcheries-2

Here from Obamas own website.

http://www.fws.gov/norfork/

http://recovery.doi.gov/press/bureaus/us-fish-and-wildlife-service/greers-ferry-national-fish-hatchery/

How does any of this link to Obama personally?

Not one site you listed is "Obamas own website."

[drew03cmc]

Eric, I see your point of view, but I cannot say that I prefer to catch trout over a native species. Granted, I may go trout fishing, but I prefer our natives in streams.

[flytyer57]

Anyway....back to the subject....The Dams don’t have to be barren wastelands without trout…The water coming out of the Dams are what? I think 42 to 58 degrees depending on the time of year.

Smallies spawn in water temps of 55 to 60. In Canada, they spawn in water as low as 50 degrees.

White bass spawn in water between 50 and 55 degrees. In Wisconsin they will spawn in 45 degree water.

Walleye spawn in 40 to 45 degree water.

Muskies spawn in water between 48 and 59 degree water.

Northern Pike spawn in 35 to 40 degree water.

There are species which will fill the void of stocked trout if properly managed.

And who is going to pay to raise these fish since their will no longer be a hatchery?

[Tim Smith]

There it is...the right wing/left wing debate coms out. I still think the subject is about the world with or without hatchery fish....lol

Anyway....back to the subject....The Dams don’t have to be barren wastelands without trout…The water coming out of the Dams are what? I think 42 to 58 degrees depending on the time of year.

Smallies spawn in water temps of 55 to 60. In Canada, they spawn in water as low as 50 degrees.

White bass spawn in water between 50 and 55 degrees. In Wisconsin they will spawn in 45 degree water.

Walleye spawn in 40 to 45 degree water.

Muskies spawn in water between 48 and 59 degree water.

Northern Pike spawn in 35 to 40 degree water.

There are species which will fill the void of stocked trout if properly managed.

Big difference between spawning and growing to maturity. Smallmouth do best just under 25C.

Smallmouth in Canada struggle with cold temperatures. More smallmouth would be in the mainstem now if that was suitable habitat.

I agree the debate should be about the fishery and this is too complex to be a left/right issue. Should be lots of common ground.

[Trav]

If these hatcheries go private, will the access to fish them also go private? Will we have to buy another trout stamp to support the fisheries? Will we have to pay a $50 access fee to fish every day so the private companies can be paid for their stocking efforts? All of the above will have a huge impact on the amount of people willing to come to the Ozarks to fish and may even force a lot of us who live here and normally fish the area to not be able to afford to fish.

Yes, I own thousands of dollars worth of fishing equipment, but I cannot afford to keep paying and paying just to go fishing.

I hear you …Know exactly how you feel. It sucks to even think about it.

However, that is what it will be when the hatcheries close and they get leased out. That is what the government does to property they own. They use it or lease it.

I personally think it will mean the state hatcheries will expand their facilities. There will always be the state parks. And they will also stock the tail waters if the feds leave. They are already doing it to a degree anyway. Missouri takes pride in trout.

Of course this makes me think a lot more 4 and 6 inch trout.?

[Trav]

And who is going to pay to raise these fish since their will no longer be a hatchery?

MDC can do contract stocking. I have worked at a few hatcheries before...

[Don]

I signed the petition based on the economic strain that could result. Times are hard for many people right now and I predict that things are going to get much worse. People need to keep jobs while they can. The government is making cuts with a broad sword instead of researching and eliminating alot of useless spending. I'm afraid some budget cuts will result in more harm than good.

Trout may fall by the way without hatcheries. Privatizing hatcheries would be cumbersome and risky for investors in our economy. Yeah, reluctantly I would resort to more warm water fishing if such a shutdown would occur.

[Trav]

The subject is federal funding of hatcheries...and it's inherently and blatantly political. There's no way of discussing it without discussing it.

We can pretend we are a bunch of anarchist and lump all things government as bad…actually have a nice discussion without choking on some brainwashed belief…