08-31-2011, 11:10 AM
COLUMBIA CITY - A 14-inch minimum size limit on largemouth bass goes back into effect Thursday, Sept. 1, at Big and Crane lakes in Noble County.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources had temporarily modified the limit in June to allow anglers to catch and keep bass that were 10 to 14 inches long. DNR biologists had determined that both lakes were overpopulated with small bass. The size limit was reduced to encourage anglers to take home small bass.
Based on estimates of harvest obtained by DNR creel clerks, anglers removed about half of the number of small bass at each lake. As a result, bass that remain should grow faster and get bigger, says DNR fisheries biologist Jed Pearson.
Biologists plan to study the long-term benefit of the rule change and determine whether similar steps should be taken at other lakes in the area.
Media Contact
Jed Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist, (260) 244-6805.
The Indiana Department of Natural Resources had temporarily modified the limit in June to allow anglers to catch and keep bass that were 10 to 14 inches long. DNR biologists had determined that both lakes were overpopulated with small bass. The size limit was reduced to encourage anglers to take home small bass.
Based on estimates of harvest obtained by DNR creel clerks, anglers removed about half of the number of small bass at each lake. As a result, bass that remain should grow faster and get bigger, says DNR fisheries biologist Jed Pearson.
Biologists plan to study the long-term benefit of the rule change and determine whether similar steps should be taken at other lakes in the area.
Media Contact
Jed Pearson, DNR fisheries biologist, (260) 244-6805.