Too Many Trout?

[flyman]

Stumbled on this old article from MDC. I noticed the side note at the bottom of the page. I thought it would make an interesting topic for discussion here on this fine forum. How many of you guys keep the fish you catch? Do you think the slot limit should be changed or fine the way it is? This is an old article and I am sure the conservation department knows what they're doing and this has not become a problem. Just curious to see what people say.

I personally don't keep fish from anywhere very often. I do on rare occasions, or, if a friend or family member requests a fish dinner.

P.S. - And yes I am really that bored, they are running generators right now:)

From: http://mdc.mo.gov/conmag/2001/04/10.htm

"Too Many Trout?

Every year, the Conservation Department, with help from the Neosho National Fish Hatchery, stocks nearly 750,000, 10- to 12-inch rainbow trout in Lake Taneycomo below the mouth of Fall Creek. Most of these fish are caught soon after they are stocked near the area where they were released. A few survive long enough to move greater distances. Some move into the special regulations area in the upper three miles of the lake.

The fishing regulations in the special management area allow anglers to harvest rainbow trout that are smaller than 12 inches. However, surveys show that most anglers fishing this area release nearly every rainbow trout they catch, regardless of size. In less than three years, the number of trout in the upper three miles has grown to ten times the number present before the regulations were established. If fish density gets too high, it may not be possible to grow big fish.

Anglers fishing the upper area can help by harvesting some of the smaller rainbows-those smaller than 12 inches. Many anglers agree that these are the best sizes for cooking and eating"

[Phil Lilley]

Too many trout was the problem back in the late 70's and early 80's, enough to deplete the food base in the lake. Trout management is always a challenge. When we were debating whether or not the new regs would actually work in 95, that was one of the main concerns. One thought was that trout would start dying of starvation in the upper end because of a lack of food if there got to be too many fish.

I don't think there's many fish kept by waders when the water is off but when the water is running, I know that guides will take their clients up to the dam and drift egg flies and keep their clients' limits, rainbows under 12 inches.

[troutchaser]

I know we've discussed this before, but I never really thought about whether there were too many trout. To me, that's like saying 'I have too much money.' When I stop to consider a few of the facts, it becomes fairly obvious that keeping some of these fish wouldn't be a bad thing. Specifically, when I'm being followed around by a dozen or more fish, all looking for an easy meal, I can't help feeling like there might be a problem.

I'd be willing to keep the trout I caught, but I just don't catch anything that small. Honest. No, really, I don't. Stop looking at me like that.

I might have to make a trip to Taneycomo this weekend and try keeping some fish. I'll see just how many dirty looks I get when I start cleaning them.

[Gavin]

It might seem that there are too many up there, but they grow just fine. That seems to indicate that there arent to many fish and that the regs are working.

Taney differs from our other fisheries in that it holds several thousand of fish per mile..Most of our other trout waters are lucky to support between 100-500 trout per mile. There are plenty of fish on Taney and most are big enough to be protected by the slot. Keep a limit if you want to...there doesnt seem to be much harm in it. Cheers.

[flyman]

I might have to make a trip to Taneycomo this weekend and try keeping some fish. I'll see just how many dirty looks I get when I start cleaning them.

That raises a good point I have thought of before. I wonder how many people don't keep a limit just because they are afraid what others might think.

For me it's just a pain and a waste. I would get sick of fish in a hurry considering I go at least twice a week. I don't think I could eat that many fish in a week