01-20-2011, 03:14 PM
I think before you can make a claim like this you would first need to look at the specific body of water and identify if slot sized fish are truly being negatively affected by post-release mortality.
Obviously, many released fish die. But, is it truly a problem?
Case in point: Kolob Reservoir has special regulations that require artificial only techniques for the majority of the year. However, during the summer months bait is allowed, but the harvest rules are still restrictive and force numerous bait-caught fish to be released. Why? Because in this case SOME mortality is actually needed and beneficial to the fishery.
Strawberry has continued to produce large trout for numerous years now, even with a high percentage of anglers using bait. Obviously, allowing bait and forcing anglers to release a lot of bait-caught fish is not having any significant impact on the fishery. To the contrary, Strawberry is thriving under the current regulation scheme.
What I'd like to see are a handful of lakes that are "bait only" restrictions, where the use of artificial lures is against the law. Why not? Give a place for bait fishermen to get away from the snobby elitists that look down their noses at them.
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Obviously, many released fish die. But, is it truly a problem?
Case in point: Kolob Reservoir has special regulations that require artificial only techniques for the majority of the year. However, during the summer months bait is allowed, but the harvest rules are still restrictive and force numerous bait-caught fish to be released. Why? Because in this case SOME mortality is actually needed and beneficial to the fishery.
Strawberry has continued to produce large trout for numerous years now, even with a high percentage of anglers using bait. Obviously, allowing bait and forcing anglers to release a lot of bait-caught fish is not having any significant impact on the fishery. To the contrary, Strawberry is thriving under the current regulation scheme.
What I'd like to see are a handful of lakes that are "bait only" restrictions, where the use of artificial lures is against the law. Why not? Give a place for bait fishermen to get away from the snobby elitists that look down their noses at them.
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