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What is the right thing to do this time of year when smallies are spawning and sitting on the rocks biting at anything.

Are the big ones all females and possibly full of eggs? Are the small ones males that are necessary to protect the nests?

They are tempting for a dinner or two, but thought I would get some feedback first.

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I talked to a guy this spring at the hatchery. We were gloating over the fact that late ice during the spawning run most assuredly was saving thousands of spawning females. He told me that the year before, his neighbor brought him 80 walleyes to clean one morning! The same neighbor told him that he knew of 200 additional nets that were out! The guy said he lives on Everett's Bay.

Nobody seems too concerned with taking thousands of spawning walleye with nets during the spring run, I really don't think anyone would be too offended if you were to take a few spawning smallmouth for a "dinner or two."

It certainly isn't illegal. And yes, the "big ones are all females" full of eggs and the "smaller ones" are usually males.

Good Fishing ,

MarkB

smilesmilesmilesmilesmilesmilesmilesmile

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They're nothing but a rat with scales, so eat a lot of them! laugh

I'd like to see every person that is sentenced to community service have to harvest 100 minimum, from every large lake in the area. (especially Burntside) grin

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In general keeping spawning fish of any species (other than "rough fish" like carp) is not generally a good idea unless a body of water is substantially over populated with a species which you will see from time to time when a state invokes a "catch/kill" policy. Other than that there are usually other species that are not spawning and would be a better target for table fare.

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I figured there would be differing opinions. Thanks for the feedback. Thinking that I lean toward leaving spawning fish in the lake, but if our once a year family fish fry is in danger I might take out one or two.

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While I agree "Generally" with the two that say don't do it, you're not going to throw the Basswood ecosystem out of balance by taking a couple smallies in for dinner. Take a couple or a few males and leave the hens go.

You'll never see ALL the spawning smallies in the lake anyway since all of them won't spawn every year. At least that's what I learned back in my days of being a B.A.S.S member and tourney fisherman.

Things don't start becoming a problem until you get people targeting them day after day and bringing home limits when they're vulnerable.

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I've seen large groups of guys take their limits everyday for a week and in my opinion there is no way they could have eaten that many fish. Moderation is the key but some people just don't get it. I have no problem keeping fish to eat for a meal or two but 60 fish ( smallmouths)a day for 10 guys seems excessive to me, I don't care what kind of fish they are.

I caught 7 smallmouths between 17-19 inches today and they all went back including a keeper walleye. Whoopee!! Big deal!! but it's just the way I am after seeing good fisheries ruined by overfishing,besides if GOD would have wanted you to eat fish EVERY day he wouldn't have made STEAKS!!!!

Keep a few to eat and enjoy.

Mike

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Who's netting walleyes? Are their tribal fishing rights being excersized in Vermillion?

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I've seen large groups of guys take their limits everyday for a week and in my opinion there is no way they could have eaten that many fish. Moderation is the key but some people just don't get it. I have no problem keeping fish to eat for a meal or two but 60 fish ( smallmouths)a day for 10 guys seems excessive to me, I don't care what kind of fish they are.

I caught 7 smallmouths between 17-19 inches today and they all went back including a keeper walleye. Whoopee!! Big deal!! but it's just the way I am after seeing good fisheries ruined by overfishing,besides if GOD would have wanted you to eat fish EVERY day he wouldn't have made STEAKS!!!!

Keep a few to eat and enjoy."

Where are you seeing this Captain Mike? That is very sad to hear.

And great job on the catches!

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Lake Vermilion!!!!!!!! It was bad 2 years ago. The group was from Illinois. Nice guys but they murdered the smallmouth.

Don't get me wrong I am for taking a few fish for supper but I do not agree with what I saw. Two years ago I kept 4 walleyes which the wife and I ate while at the lake. Last year I didn't keep any fish and so far this year I have'nt kept any not because I have'nt caught them but quite frankly there are too many good places to eat here.

Mike

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I am a strong believer in selective harvest, and everyone has a right to legally keep their limit, but there should also be some individual responsibility and balance. 'Tis too bad some people don't respect the resource.

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They're nothing but a rat with scales, so eat a lot of them! laugh

I'd like to see every person that is sentenced to community service have to harvest 100 minimum, from every large lake in the area. (especially Burntside) grin

C'mon Jimmie, why don't you say what you mean, and quit beating around the bush! cool

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Capt. H,

Call the Minnesota TIP number if you think that they are taking over their possession limits of fish!

Get their boat number.

Only way that you can stop it!

Cliff

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