No Fishing in the Hatchery Outlets

[Phil Lilley]

Or something like that...

I'm going to take a pic of the signs MDC has posted at the outlets cause... I'm real confused.

Above the present lake level means what???!! Set your head to the waters surface and look sideways and you'll see the "present level". Then pear to the outlets and you'll see the water in falling down the sloop which means the water level in the outlets is higher than the present lake level. Then there should be fishing in the outlets!!!

But I asked one of our agents and he said he wouldn't write tickets for fishing in the outlets. That's where my confusion starts.

If you're going to have signs and/or rules - enforce them. If you're not going to enforce the rules- TAKE THE SIGNS DOWN!! Simple!

BUT I have a problem allowing people to fish for those trout in outlet #3. They're in a small stream not more than 12 feet across and 24 inches deep and they are simply trapped- they can't get away from the angler with his 9 foot rod. They get hammered all day unless they are caught out or happen to have the sense to move down out of there.

I don't see anything wrong with throwing a couple of times at holding fish in the shoot as you walk through... it is fun to be able to watch how a trout reacts to a fly drifting by. But to stand and cast to the same 3-4-5-7-8 fish for hours on end in a limited stream like #3 is too much. Get a life!

And where's the challenge in hooking these fish? It's not like Crane Creek where you have the same conditions but you have to literally crawl to the holes or the trout will disappear because they are WILD TROUT and they have places they can hide.

Sorry for those who kick- and those who fish outlet #3 - but you really should learn how to fish before you call yourself a fisherman.

[John Smoot]

Or something like that...

I'm going to take a pic of the signs MDC has posted at the outlets cause... I'm real confused.

Above the present lake level means what???!! Set your head to the waters surface and look sideways and you'll see the "present level". Then pear to the outlets and you'll see the water in falling down the sloop which means the water level in the outlets is higher than the present lake level. Then there should be fishing in the outlets!!!

But I asked one of our agents and he said he wouldn't write tickets for fishing in the outlets. That's where my confusion starts.

If you're going to have signs and/or rules - enforce them. If you're not going to enforce the rules- TAKE THE SIGNS DOWN!! Simple!

BUT I have a problem allowing people to fish for those trout in outlet #3. They're in a small stream not more than 12 feet across and 24 inches deep and they are simply trapped- they can't get away from the angler with his 9 foot rod. They get hammered all day unless they are caught out or happen to have the sense to move down out of there.

I don't see anything wrong with throwing a couple of times at holding fish in the shoot as you walk through... it is fun to be able to watch how a trout reacts to a fly drifting by. But to stand and cast to the same 3-4-5-7-8 fish for hours on end in a limited stream like #3 is too much. Get a life!

And where's the challenge in hooking these fish? It's not like Crane Creek where you have the same conditions but you have to literally crawl to the holes or the trout will disappear because they are WILD TROUT and they have places they can hide.

Sorry for those who kick- and those who fish outlet #3 - but you really should learn how to fish before you call yourself a fisherman.

Amen to that! And don't forget, alot...if not over 50%....of the trout hooked in the outlets are snagged! I know there are people who simply make a day of snagging/hooking trout in outlets. That does the fish no good, and, some people will take the trout home...a great trophy! They can say they caught him on a hook...likely in the rear portion of the body.

So, what's the job of our MDC in situations like this? First and foremost it's to PROTECT THE RESOURCE!!! Remember, the fish belong to the taxpayers of this state...and laws need to be in place, and ENFORCED, that someitmes are restrictive to us all to accomplish directive #1. I mean, the 'Trophy Rules, All Artificial, above Fall Creek', is just that type of law...restictive, and I think we'd all agree that this is a good thing. Now this law has created a nice little trophy fishery, but, oh ohh!!! There are people taking advantage of the trophy fishery created by the restrictive laws!! SO, what to do? More laws (no fishing in the outlets) and more enforcement. And once again, we'll see it will be a good thing.

Stay on them, Phil. I'm with you and so is Brett Rader. Anyone else?

[Leonard]

Im behind you 100%

I was there today also.. Its was unbieveable on the people that was fish up in chute 3... Id say at leat 6 to 8 people...

In chute 3 there is a sign "No Fishig Above This Point" (right?)... Ive seen countless time people fishing up in there.. Not to say I wont mind fishing in there once or twice.. But it is posted so I dont..

About chute 2.. at the top of the stairs.. I saw a guy standing by the "NO FISHING" sign fishing..LOL.. guess he was illiterate..

yes something really needs to be done..

[Phil Lilley]

I don't have an issue with the "lack of enforcement" some talk about. Sure MDC could add agents but even then, they can't be all places at the same time. All violations are never going to be witnessed by an agent. They are a deterrent- just knowing he may be across the lake watching with binoculars keeps most people on their toes.

My issue is with the agent(s) not enforcing a law that's posted clearly- either enforce the rules or take them off the books. It's irritating to an angler who reads the sign, says something to the guy fishing by the "no fishing" sign and his reply is - "oh they don't enforce that law so go jump in the lake".

And I happen to think there's a good reason the rule is there presently.

And the binocular thing... he's called me on my cell once while I was drifting up there and ask about a brown I had just released. They are watching.

[Wayne SW/MO]

I still believe they can stop the Outlet Fishing, or snagging, both are applicable. A crane could place a few boulders to outline an area that would be off limits. In high water the boulders would probably wash out areas behind them which would afford the fish more room. I don't believe there is any reason to allow an unsportsman like practice to continue.

I have another Blood Boiler, and thats holding fish out of the water for extende time to admire it and allow numerous pictures. I only fish it in the Winter and yet I always see 1 or 2 large fish that can't be revived after being held out the water too long. In a catch and release area, it shouldn't be allowed to remove a fish from the water. If the fish need to be controlled for hook removal and pictures, it can be done in a submerged net.

I also think the area that is wadeable in normal flows should be C&R for all fish above 12"s.

[Steve Smith]

The same issue in our trout parks during catch and release season. MDC rules clearly states that a fish can not be taken out of the water for pictures or anything else. I don't know how many fish I've seen that are dragged up on the bank and kicked back in the water. Or, hauled three blocks to get a camera out of the truck.

[Phil Lilley]

Boulders... that's an idea!

I think MDC should post signs that state-

"For as long as an angler holds a trout out of the water, he/she is required to hold his/her breath."

"If a slot-trout (12 to 20 inches) is killed due to being mishandled, the guilty angler is required to take the expired trout to the hatchery center and report the violation."

[Wayne SW/MO]

"Boulders... that's an idea!"

I believe it would work and they wouldn't have to be placed in a way to form a solid wall, only close enough that a line would be obvious.

I believe the state is missing the boat by not protecting the big fish at the Taney tailwater. Taney is the best place in the state to grow really large Trout. Surly they can spare a mile or so, after all that still leaves over 20 miles of Trout water for catch and kill.

[MOBass]

Given that the hatchery is so close and there is a high angler density it would be nice to see a conservation agent down there more often. I know they might be up in the trees line watching but I would enjoy seeing them walking the bank or parking lots. I have only seen an agent down there once and he had several snaggers he was writing tickets for. I sat in my truck and watched for awhile. It was nice to see people get educated and I was a little concerned about one agent with several not happy people.

I have fished the outlet areas but not to the extent of fishing the area in outlet #3. I found it more enjoyable to stalk the bank looking for my own fish. I still go back to the outlet areas on ocassion but I am finding I do so less and less. There is a lot of productive water down there and I don't see a reason to combat fish. It still amazes me how many people will crowd in for a three second drift.

[Phil Lilley]

Outlet #2 today - 2-3 people.

Rebar shoot - 8-10 people.

Someone must be reading my reports... or reading the water and seeing all those BIG trout in rebar.

Agent- I understand what you're saying. But we have what we have. 23 years of "somewhat" complaining about it hasn't gotten me anywhere. Taney Co has 2 agents and that's all we're going to get. We do have "roaming" agents that help with upper Taney from Stone, Christian and Greene Co's... Taney does get special treatment at times but the trophy area isn't going to get any additional enforcement than it's getting now. And I guarantee it won't get much tomorrow!!