Future of Fishing Catch and Release a Must!!

[Smallie]

Fellow Anglers catch and release has just started to become more popular, the importance of it goes on and on.

Teaching your friend kids the importance of this is a must. Fish are great to eat but the big ones or a good size fish need to be let go for spawning. Unless it's a trophy to mount but even then there are replicas available.

If we want beter quality fish and fishing think twice before you put it in the livewell even if they are nice size to eat. This resource is by no means unlimited. Smallmouth bass are problaby the most affected by fisherman. Smallmouth typically spawn later than most fish so there caught and kept where they won't be able to if kept.

They are very easy to catch during this period so they should be left alone at least until 2nd week of june. If you have tournament bring them back to there beds so they have a chance to spawn again.

People take way more fish than any muskie or northern pike will ever be able to eat.

I fish for neither one but they don't even come close to what the largest predator takes you and I.

This may seem very stern but it's a very serious matter for future generations.

If you gut hook a fish you don't have to keep it. Cut the line right away don't even begin to put a pliers in the fishes mouth he for surley won't live then. I would have to say 8 out of 10 times they will live.

It's a wonderful thing to catch a fsih that has multiple hook marks in them, you know people are starting to use the the system.

[JP Savage]

Smallie , you are absolutely right!......I fish several smallmouth lakes in my area and one of them is a catch and release lake. Not only is the fishing superior in the catch and release lake , but many trophy size fish are caught and released each year.I'm sure due to CPR! CPR is a must for smallies!...........By the way , I caught a 6lb , 21 largemouth on Leech in the reeds of Boy bay, using a senko texposed, and of course , CPR...........Take Care.

[Guest]

If you are talking about c & r for bass, i would agree with that. Although to say not to keep anything is foolish. Fish are great to eat, almost any species, and should be eaten. If ones only concern is about size, that is foolish too. Personally, i can go to lake michigan, catch a 30 pound salmon, yet return home and sit on the end of the dock, catching sunnies and be just as happy. The problem is no one today is happy with anything. Trophy perch? what the heck is that? People really need to sit down and think of what they are going out for. Perhaps leave the 18 foot, 200 hp boat at home, and take out a rowboat and cane pole, lots of fun. If one is only happy when a trophy is caught, that is very sad. Well, i dont eat bass, so you are safe there, but i love a meal of fish.

[Smallie]

DewnoBAd,
thanks for your comments but I'm talking catch and release for any kind of fish.
Sure it's okay to keep some fish once and a while, we all do.

But people don't need to be fish hogs and take more than they really need. Like I said earlier these are not unlimited by no means.

A good method of keeping fish is being able to have a selective harvest.

You do this by setting your own limits such as. When I do decide to keep some fish I will only take 15-17 inch walleyes and so on.