Smallmouth Study Info? Mdc?

[cwc87]

I was told back in February at a smallmouth alliance meeting by the MDC guys more info on the smallmouth study would be released (by august). Just wondering if and when this info is going to be available?

I do know John Ackerson delievered the info at powder valley meeting and now he has moved his efforts more to working in the current river watershed but, not relating to smallmouth.

It seems the project had alot of money tied to it and just wondering how our money is being used to finish it?

At the meeting some of the info that was revealed is that out of the tagged fish about 50% had been cashed in. That tells me that pressure on the smallmouth bass is very high.

My opinion on the state of smallmouth fishing is that a statewide creel limit of two 15inchers wood work. Easy to understand and enforce.

I' ve read through and through most topics on this debate.

It just kills me when i see folks keeping smallmouth that have six at a time per person and when I see someone with a fish under 12inches on a stringer. (happened last thursday and yes I made the guy released it).

[Dan Kreher]

I will check in with John Ackerson on expected timing of release of official results of smallmouth bass/rock bass angler survey conducted back in 2011. It should be time. Also, thought results of tagging/reward program were due out late this summer as well.

Thanks on behalf of SMB anglers for educating that angler the other day.

[laker67]

Hmmm, lets see, a smallmouth study by mdc employees. Is that kind of like paid fishing trips with non-conclusive results. Gotta change something to make it look good. Works for me.

[drew03cmc]

I'm guessing the results will say that the current limits are fine and the spotted bass removal is working. I wouldn't expect anything groundbreaking.

[jdmidwest]

And fishing fair on worms in the evening. ...

I did not receive the survey. The last one I participated was the duck zone, season one last fall. Final results, MDC decided no matter what they did, they could not make everyone happy, so they left it as it was.

[Outside Bend]

Let the preemptive whining begin!

Hmmm, lets see, a smallmouth study by mdc employees. Is that kind of like paid fishing trips with non-conclusive results. Gotta change something to make it look good. Works for me.

And you wonder why MDC doesn't seem to take public input seriously.....

[laker67]

Well I can see that there are still some out there that just simply refuse to joke anymore. I will confine my light humor to the trout section from now on. Them smb's are too dang hard to catch anyway.

[Gavin]

Outside Bend...is one of the guys doing some work on that study..Met him years ago, well before grad school. A+ fellow in my book...Think he can take a joke, but I've never made one at his expense. If he's willing to share here...I'd keep my ears open.

[laker67]

Well then I will say sorry to ob and any of the others. Even though i jest i have always been a huge supporter of mdc.

[Outside Bend]

No worries Laker. It was in jest, it went over my head, and no offense taken.

I guess, to me, it sometimes seems the folks dogging MDC the most then turn around and wonder why those biologists aren't knocking down the door for their input. Don't get me wrong- I think it's important for the public to be involved in management decisions, and I definitely think a lot of criticism of MDC and other management agencies is justified. But I also think that both the state and the anglers need to step back from time to time and remember they're on the same side.

But anyway, I think it'll be pretty interesting to see what MDC's learned in the past couple years regarding smallmouth harvest and movements...and hopefully it'll translate into better management in the future.