Closing Blue Ribbon Streams

[Hatch 82]

What are your thoughts on closing the blue ribbon trout streams to fishing during the spawn? Atleast the small creeks that do not get stocked and rely on reproduction to keep them stocked.

Personally I would be for it, my thought is there are plenty of stocked water to fish in the winter while the spawn is going on and the self sustaining streams are few and far between. I love the small creeks and wild trout fishing in Missouri and when I trout fish I mainly fish them. December to middle of February I avoid them and fish a trout park or Taneycomo. It only takes one ignorant fisherman (uneducated to the situation) to do some serious damage to the redds and to decrease the success rate of the spawn. They're a natural resource that like all other natural resources once they're gone they are gone. Just my take on it. Curious to see what others think.

Luke

[fishinwrench]

Well, there hasn't been an "ignorant fisherman" come through and destroy them thus far, and education is even greater now than it was in all the years prior. So I guess I'd be opposed to a closed season on the blue ribbon waters, especially the NFOW.

[ColdWaterFshr]

Yeah, definitely would be in favor of that on our wild trout blue ribbon streams, or at least those sections that are designated as blue ribbon only.

[SpoonDog]

I'm not sure how much effect it'd have. The NFOW seems big enough that wading anglers wouldn't do too much damage. The others are so small...I'd think things like drought and water level play a much bigger role in spawning and recruitment. But if it could be demonstrated it'd improve fishing, I wouldn't be opposed.

[Justin Spencer]

Can only speak for NFoW, so few people fish here anyway and there are so many fish that spawn over the course of several months that I seriously doubt it would have any effect. Water levels and weather play a much bigger role than does human intrusion. Might help some of the smaller streams, but so would stopping fishing when it's hot. None of these fish are native so what good are they if we can't fish for them.

[fishinwrench]

. None of these fish are native so what good are they if we can't fish for them.

That's what I'm talkin'bout !

[laker67]

Not saying yea or nay, but I would think you would have to include other activities in addition to fishing. Trapping, wading, rock throwing, canoeing, and hiking would be a few I could think of. More or less an "off limits" during a certain time period.

[timsfly]

I would have to vote no, I don't see where people do a lot of damage on the small streams, most

people seem to give spawning trout room, and I don't see people messing with the trout that much.

I think the water level, herons, ( I would love to see open season on herons about 6 weeks a year would be nice),

and other natural things do more to hurt the spawning trout.

[laker67]

Open season on blue herons would be at the top of my list. I'd pay good money. great idea Tim.

[Gavin]

I really don't care. I'm sure that a few doofus's go down to spawn rape. I did it a few times before i got bored with it years ago. I'm probably still a doofus to the core, but I figure that most who seek out those areas will figure it out in short order.