05-27-2011, 11:10 AM
COLUMBIA CITY - As the June 3 date draws near for an experimental change in bass fishing rules at Big and Crane lakes in Noble County, DNR officials have set quotas on how many bass they want anglers to take out this summer.
Beginning Friday, June 3, anglers at both lakes will be able to keep up to five bass per day that are 10 to 14 inches long. Bass that are less than 10 inches and those that are 14 inches or longer must be released.
Biologists say the 14-inch minimum size limit now in effect has enabled too many small bass to survive. Few exceed the limit and catching one bass more than 18 inches long is nearly impossible. Reducing the number of small bass should increase the size of those that remain.
"We want anglers to take home small bass. By doing so, they can catch fish to eat and help restore balance in both lakes," said Jed Pearson, DNR biologist.
Based on recent sampling, Big Lake contains twice the normal number of small bass and Crane Lake contains three times the normal number. Nearly 75 percent of the bass in Big Lake are 10 to 14 inches long. Less than 4 percent are 14 inches or larger. At Crane Lake, bass that are 10 to 14 inches long make up 88 percent of its population and only seven percent are 14 inches or larger.
"We estimate there are 4,400 bass that are 10 to 14 inches long in Big Lake and 1,200 in Crane Lake," Pearson said. "To get bass numbers down to normal levels, anglers will need to take home 2,000 small bass from Big Lake and 600 from Crane Lake."
Although the new rule goes into effect June 3, the rule is only temporary until the quotas are reached. After anglers remove half of the small bass in each lake, the 14-inch size limit will go back into effect. If the quotas are not reached by Oct. 31, the 14-inch size limit will go back into effect as well.
"We don't know how long it might take to reach the quotas, but we plan to station survey clerks at both lakes to keep a count of the numbers of bass that are removed," Pearson said.
The temporary rule only applies to Big and Crane lakes. Bass taken from these two lakes must not be released into other public waters.
Bass taken from these two lakes must be 10.0 to 13.9 inches, measuring from the tip of the mouth to the tip of the tail.
Big Lake is 228 acres in size and Crane Lake is 28 acres. Both are located seven to eight miles north of Columbia City off State Road 109. Free public access is available at each lake at DNR-owned boat ramps and gravel parking lots.
To find the boat ramp at Big Lake go west off State Road 9 onto Lakeshore Drive. The Crane Lake boat ramp is located along Noble County Road 500 South about one mile east of State Road 109.
Media Contact
Jed Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist, (260) 244-6805.
Beginning Friday, June 3, anglers at both lakes will be able to keep up to five bass per day that are 10 to 14 inches long. Bass that are less than 10 inches and those that are 14 inches or longer must be released.
Biologists say the 14-inch minimum size limit now in effect has enabled too many small bass to survive. Few exceed the limit and catching one bass more than 18 inches long is nearly impossible. Reducing the number of small bass should increase the size of those that remain.
"We want anglers to take home small bass. By doing so, they can catch fish to eat and help restore balance in both lakes," said Jed Pearson, DNR biologist.
Based on recent sampling, Big Lake contains twice the normal number of small bass and Crane Lake contains three times the normal number. Nearly 75 percent of the bass in Big Lake are 10 to 14 inches long. Less than 4 percent are 14 inches or larger. At Crane Lake, bass that are 10 to 14 inches long make up 88 percent of its population and only seven percent are 14 inches or larger.
"We estimate there are 4,400 bass that are 10 to 14 inches long in Big Lake and 1,200 in Crane Lake," Pearson said. "To get bass numbers down to normal levels, anglers will need to take home 2,000 small bass from Big Lake and 600 from Crane Lake."
Although the new rule goes into effect June 3, the rule is only temporary until the quotas are reached. After anglers remove half of the small bass in each lake, the 14-inch size limit will go back into effect. If the quotas are not reached by Oct. 31, the 14-inch size limit will go back into effect as well.
"We don't know how long it might take to reach the quotas, but we plan to station survey clerks at both lakes to keep a count of the numbers of bass that are removed," Pearson said.
The temporary rule only applies to Big and Crane lakes. Bass taken from these two lakes must not be released into other public waters.
Bass taken from these two lakes must be 10.0 to 13.9 inches, measuring from the tip of the mouth to the tip of the tail.
Big Lake is 228 acres in size and Crane Lake is 28 acres. Both are located seven to eight miles north of Columbia City off State Road 109. Free public access is available at each lake at DNR-owned boat ramps and gravel parking lots.
To find the boat ramp at Big Lake go west off State Road 9 onto Lakeshore Drive. The Crane Lake boat ramp is located along Noble County Road 500 South about one mile east of State Road 109.
Media Contact
Jed Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist, (260) 244-6805.