MDC Public Comment Meetings - Part 2

[MOPanfisher]

Talkin about smallmouth regulations on OA is sort of like preaching to the Sunday school class.  I really like the idea of a 15 inch mll statewide on smallmouth and the 3 fish limit.  No length limit on spotted bass in rivers and a creel limit of whatever.  Not quite sure how to address largemouth in streams and rivers.  While most of us could identify a spot over a largemouth easily that isn't the case for most people.  And yes enforcement does partly drive the train as they have to not only enforce the regs but be able to explain to a judge exactly what they did wrong.  

[oneshot]

I suspect the public meetings are justified as much as a way to get what THEY want to get out there as to listen to what the citizenry has to say about it.  I agree it seems a little unnecessary these days, and just encourages small but vocal minorities to have a disproportionate say in what goes on.  It's easy for anybody in the state to send an email, so plenty of people will do so if encouraged to do it.  But a public meeting is a good venue for a lot of local rabble rousing.

I believe usually the MDC has their mind made up no matter what. Once a decision is made it is very hard to get changed back most the time it is changed is because people involved in fishing or hunting sees a problem and takes it to the MDC in numbers.

oneshot

[Old plug]

Ones shot. You cannot totally blame them for any move they make I know they are suppose to be independent but you can bet your bottom dollar they are not especially this day in age. When they get done you can almost bet they will send notice to every member of the Missouri Legislator asking for any comment. Most times they ignore those and do not bother to comment. But if some A hole up there wants to create a rucus you can bet he will apply pressure. iT just amazes me how the government and legislature really work. I often marvel this country has lasted this long.u

[Brian Jones]

Any updates from last night's meeting in Van Buren??

[Dan Kreher]

Fairly well attended. Lots of various MDC folks and one Commissioner. More of a small group format without any sort of formal presentation. Spoke with group of CRSA (Current River Smallmouth Association) members who run tournaments in Van Buren/Doniphan area. Format includes weigh ins but all fish are released following that. Strong C&R ethic amongst them with several claiming they used to personally keep smallies years ago but now see value of C&R. 

Their concern is the 1 fish limit proposed on Current from Two Rivers down to Van Buren. This would  greatly change how they run a tournament and impact their enjoyment of the sport. We get that aspect and invited them to express their concerns to the MDC via online/written comments regarding the regulations. While MSA is not a tournament-oriented group, we also are not looking to alienate other groups of conservation-minded anglers. We suggested that this group propose some sort of compromise that would allow them to hold their events yet still help achieve an objective of restricted harvest for the general public to improve overall fishing quality. Moving upstream/downstream boundaries of the proposed area on Current is one possibility that could be explored.  But that issue is one that their membership is better suited to address than that of MSA.

We were also able to - hopefully - dispel a few misconceptions about MSA that rural anglers may hold. 1 = we are NOT against gigging of rough fish; we are against gigging of sportfish and poaching as all sportsmen should be; 2 = we have never espoused mandatory catch & release -- our position has always been one that encourages voluntary C&R; 3 = we want all smallmouth fisheries to be managed as 'trophy' waters -- not true, we actually proposed a statewide regs change to 15"/3 fish creel limit back in 2010 which the MDC did not embrace favoring their Special Regs waters approach. We feel that the 15/3 reg may have more widespread appeal among the state's anglers and would probably enhance angling quality on a broader scale than the specific waters approach. We continue to believe this but since that proposal is not currently on the table with the MDC, we are supportive of the special regs expansion which they are currently proposing. As noted above, it is up to the MDC to educate anglers to support and comply with their proposed regulations. We simply advocate for our positions in support of smallmouth bass conservation. MDC is the organization that establishes policy and regulates compliance therewith.

I mention the CRSA angler concerns merely to educate readers here of their situation.This is not intended to spawn a wide ranging discussion on the pros and cons of river tournaments. Although MSA membership does not sponsor such events we do believe that a lot of benefits and expansion of the C&R message have been spread from events like these over the years. Yes, some would prefer that all tournaments involved Catch, Photo and Release but many smaller circuits aren't really set up in a manner to make that effective. Provided the fish are cared for in aerated live wells and then carefully released post weigh in, that seems to be acceptable. Now do some fish perish if water temps get too high, fish are too stressed and/or they're deep hooked -- sure some do. But I am not looking to rehash the merits of such events here.  

One thing we came away with from Van Buren is that a lot of these guys know how to catch nice fish on that river and they genuinely care about the resource both for today and future generations. 

  

 

 

 

[Dan Kreher]

Attended St. Robert MDC meeting last night. Fairly well attended and fully staffed by MDC biologists, fisheries managers, enforcement personnel, etc. Held several productive discussions with both local anglers and canoe outfitters as well as MDC staff. General tenor of those attending seemed quite positive regarding expanding special regs on Big Piney while many seemed concerned with proposal to reduce regs on Gasconade trophy water from 18" MLL down to 15" MLL. Sentiment expressed was why not keep at 18/1 on Gasconade and then apply that reg to the lower Piney stretch -- at least from FLW (East Gate) downstream? Anglers - including tournament anglers -- seem to support the 18/1 reg on Gasconade which has been in place for some 20 years now and it attracts tourism as well for those seeking chance to catch larger bass on this productive stream reach. So, why change it?

I cannot claim that this reflects the sentiment of all in attendance as I did not eavesdrop on every conversation. But since both the Piney and Gasconade each currently feature special regs sections, there seemed to be little support for keeping the smallie regs at the current 12"/6 fish statewide limits. And, in a more general sense, there was support for modifying statewide regs to a 15"/3 fish format among the crowd.

Difference with the tournament anglers here -- at least from one knowledgeable observer -- is the sizeable presence of largemouth bass on the middle Gasconade above Jerome which are often targeted in these events. Also "keeper sized" spotted bass are present in the middle Gasconade in increasing numbers. So the 1 SMB creel limit has not been a big deterrent for holding tourneys in the Jerome area over the years given the species diversity present. 

Heard from several folks that the goggle eye reg should be set at 8" statewide vs. the 7" as proposed. Just seems like better size to use and is already reg in place on the various special regs areas. So keep it simple.

In general, I have found the 2 public comment meetings I've attended thus far to be very productive in terms of being able to interact with MDC personnel on these issues and to hold a productive dialog. It gives anglers better feedback with individuals from the MDC with significant academic and practical experience on our stream fisheries. And, you'll find that most of these folks equally share the public's passion for chasing smallmouth bass/goggle eye on our rivers on their personal time. 

If you are able to make one of the 5 remaining meetings (Farmington tonight), Kirkwood (10/8), Sprinfield (10/13), Neosho (10/15) or Columbia (10/19), I invite you to take this unique opportunity to hold a productive two-way conversation with both MDC personnel and other anglers in attendance. If you cannot make it, I encourage folks to post their comments online at www.mdc.mo.gov/node/9092

Online comments and written comments from the meetings will be treated equally in gauging angler sentiments towards these proposals. And, if you want the MDC to do more, feel free to tell them that. This is the public's chance to have direct impact on shaping the MDC's smallmouth bass/goggle eye management plan for years to come. Don't sit on the sidelines. 

 

[Haris122]

Anyone attend the one today at powder valley? I wanted to go see what people are discussing but didn't make it.

[Dan Kreher]

Very well attended meeting. Included many MSA members as well as prospective members.  Good discussion with the MDC staff and among the anglers in attendance. Most seemed to be on the same page on the proposed regs (other than strong sentiment to keep Gasconade at 18" MLL and add the lower Big Piney as a true Trophy area rather than the 15" MLL as proposed. Also, heard several folks commenting on why not put the goggle eye minimum at 8" rather than 7" statewide. Some feel that more protection (restrictive regs) should be proposed for headwater reaches of our streams given impact of harvest on those more 'fragile' fisheries.

After having just returned from an MSA outing at hosted by Greg Lamb at Meramec Scenic View lodge near Steelville over the weekend, it reaffirmed the belief of many that this section of the Meramec from Birds Nest down to Onondaga Cave represents some of the best smallmouth habitat on the Meramec -- and while already a fine fishery -- it could be truly world class with some more restrictive harvest regulations. 

Fore more reading on the smallmouth/goggle eye public comment process, check out the latest issue of The River Hills Traveler. The Pulaski Co. Outfitters Association came out strongly for keeping the 18" MLL on the middle Gasconade as it promotes not only better quality angling but tourism as well.  The RHT also includes a fine article by Chief Grey Bear on fall fishing for bronzebacks on Ozark streams. The author made several great observations and it was good read with more than the typical fare you might find on the topic in a national publication.

Springfield and Neosho meetings are this week. I'm not attending either as I already hit 3 last week alone. I may make it to Columbia on 10/19.

 

 

[timinmo]

Dan

I want to thank you for keeping us all up dated on the pending changes and for all your hard work on our behalf.

[Mitch f]

Dittos on what Tim said, thanks so much Dan!