What Do You Think

[Quillback]

Wow, I would think one place the regs would be understood by all would be at trout parks. That being said, I'll email the MDC and ask them to implement a catch and release rule for browns, with the exception of keeping one over 18". Heck if you need trout for the frying pan, just keep some rainbows.

[stlfisher]

Kind of amazing the MDC doesn't even seem to know the rules they are suppossed to be enforcing. Maybe this will draw attention to the issue. I also don't understand why anyone would keep a big trout to eat. IMO the smaller ones taste better. I think this is true of most fish species. I'll eat a few 12 inch stocker rainbows and a 2 1/2 lb channel cat over a 10lb brown anyday. Eat a few smaller ones and let the bigger browns go so someone else can catch them. A picture is just as good IMO.

[3wt]

Wow, I would think one place the regs would be understood by all would be at trout parks. That being said, I'll email the MDC and ask them to implement a catch and release rule for browns, with the exception of keeping one over 18". Heck if you need trout for the frying pan, just keep some rainbows.

I for one wouldn't mind seeing some C&R streams or stretches of stream in general. Browns and rainbows. Let's face it, as far as I can see, a 1 18"+ limit is essentially getting at C&R, but allows for the "oops, I guess it's a little small" or "I thought it was a 15" limit," or my fravorite "I thought we could keep 4 any size like in the park" violations. A strict no possession rule would really eliminate poaching with plausible deniability.

[Idylwilde]

A great Link to bring attention to a messed up Rule Just add Zip Code & write your concerns House Of Rep I sent mine today.

[Gavin]

Ask all you want, but MDC will never enact a no harvest rule especially for stocked exotics...Sent this email to that Chis Vitello guy yesterday..

Hi Chris,

A discussion over on Ozark Anglers.com has unearthed a loophole in Missouri’s Brown Trout Regulations…Apparently its legal to take 4 brown trout over 15” in every one of Missouri’s trout parks, and that some people have been taking advantage of it.

I’d like to see this stopped immediately because it is wholly inconsistent with MDC’s policy of managing for large brown trout in the few places they are found in this great state.…perhaps a statewide limit of one brown trout would close this loophole.…an 18” minimum in the park & river fisheries would be nice, maybe up it to 24” on Taneycomo. What are your thoughts on this issue?

Thanks,

Havent heard back...

The State Reps cant do anything...but I suggest we figure out who the head of the MDC Regulations Committee is, and get his mailing address. Same for the Commissioners.

[Idylwilde]

Who Is Who

[Idylwilde]

In response to an e-mail sent yesterday.

Thanks for the information. Please recall that brown trout are managed under a statewide 15" minimum length limit, and then selected waters are managed under more restrictive length (18" or 20") and daily limits. To my knowledge, the situation that you describe has not been a major concern in the past. I have copied Fisheries Regional Supervisor, Dave Mayers, and ask him to consider this issue in more detail and provide appropriate comments.

Chris Vitello

Fisheries Division Chief

2901 W. Truman Blvd.

PO Box 180

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

573-522-4115, ext. 3599

[3wt]

Well I got to agree with the MDC guy that I don't see too many people at montauk legally catching multiple brown trout in a day.

If you're not out gut snaggin the things you would have a tough time harvesting that many browns, especially big ones when the sun is up.

If we're all contacting MDC, what exactly are we asking for? I agree we won't see no harvest, but do we agree on the 1 15" brown a day? I'd rather see 18" for montauk since that would be the limit if the fish hadn't swam up past the wire. Suggestions?

[Gavin]

Just mailed my letter to the regulation committe chair and sent a copy to all the committee members...feel free to borrow from it.

Mr. Tom A. Draper

Regulations Committee Chair

Missouri Department of Conservation

P.O. Box 180

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

Dear Mr. Draper,

It has come to my attention that it is presently a loophole in Missouri’s trout regulation structure that allows the legal harvest four (4) brown trout, 15” or larger from every one of Missouri’s Trout Parks, and that many are taking advantage of this situation. This policy appears to be inconsistent with the department’s policy of managing for large brown trout in the few places that they are found in the great State of Missouri and serves as a detriment to the fine fisheries located downstream from Missouri’s Trout Parks.

In order to close this loophole, I would like to propose a statewide limit of one brown trout per day, two in possession with a reasonable length limit. I would propose a minimum length limit of 18” for our river & park fisheries and an increasing the length limit on Lake Taneycomo to 24” to match the regulations changes imposed on the White & Norfork Tailwater Fisheries by the State of Arkansas.

I believe that these changes would provide a positive benefit to all of Missouri’s brown trout fisheries. Thank you for your attention to this matter.

Sincerely,

Gavin H. Poppen

Cc: Mr. Chris Vitello, Fisheries Division

Ms. Lisa Allen, Forestry Division

Ms. DeeCee Darrow, Wildlife Division

Mr. Larry Yamnitz, Protection Division

Mr. Mike Kruse, Resource Science Division

[jdmidwest]

Now I find out that I have been breaking the law for a long time, all trout must be 15". I responded to this one and have not heard back. Poor guy probably wishes he never answered this email.

His response

It should be 4 at 15” at all trout parks. I’ve sent a message to Montauk inquiring about their signage on this.

The Wildlife codes states 4 at 15” statewide for all trout. (Rainbows and Browns.) There are specific waters in the state that have different rules, but not for Brown trout in the Parks.

You can reference this in section 10-6.535 of the Wildlife Code here: http://sos.mo.gov/adrules/csr/current/3csr/3c10-6.pdf

I hope this helps with the confusion,

Andrew Branson

Fisheries Programs Specialist

Missouri Department of Conservation

2901 West Truman Blvd

P.O. Box 180

Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180

tel: 573-522-4115, ext. 3501

fax: 573-526-0990