fishing out of season

[scott lewis]

Just thought I would pose the question.

Since here in Michigan Our bass season does not officially

open until last weekend in may (except for a few lakes that

are designated catch and release only) Is it ethical to be targeting bass before the season opens. My feeling was yes

until you throw in the "Catch and release only" fishing on three lakes in one county. So now I am confused about what the DNR is really saying. Page sic in our Michigan regulations states that you can not be targeting fish out

of season. Yet I see discussions of people targeting bass

on message boards. Whats the opinion out there can anyone clear this up for me

 

[John Foster]

I would call your DNR and ask them. that way you know for sure what they mean. Would hat e to tell you one thing and then you get busted by your DNR saying it ain't so.

 

[gone bye bye]

Yes it is ILLEGAL to fish for bass out of season with the exception of catch and release special provisions. There are more than three lakes in one county that are open.



Mini

 

[Staci Matheis]

In Missouri, to "target" trout, your must obtain a "Trout Stamp". Several of our rivers have "Trout Management Areas"; although they obviously contain multiple spieces, the Department of Conservation maintains a stocking program for trout in these sections. Fishing above and below without a Trout Stamp is fine - just so that if you catch one you quickly release it. But, if you're fishing in those sections, it will be assumed that you are targeting trout.



me!

 

[Staci Matheis]

This could get political again.....



Pauleye, I absolutely agree that you do have a very valid point..... However, the fact is that someone who fishes for smallmouth out of season, even if they are catching-and-releasing, is violating the law. Period.



me

 

[scott lewis]

pauleye

so I get it

1. lie

2 be as sneaky as possible.



Thats is why I posed the question. I believe some people fish out of season out of ignorance of the law.

But then there are those who do knowingly breaking the Guidelines set forth by the DNR. (ie Pauleye)

And why?

One question I do have is; What is the reason for a closed season (biological???)

Why do other states never close the season?



P.S I am not trying to insite emotions here I am just trying to have a honest discussion on the topic.

 

[Staci Matheis]

Here in Missouri, there is a closed season on smallmouth in streams. There are closed seasons in many other states on many other fish.... Florida has seasons on snook. Somewhere along the line, Rob mentioned closed seasons in New York and Vermont on smallmouth.



I'm not sure which states put seasons on which fish for what reasons, but the three I hear most often are limiting the total numbers harvested, breeding and allowing the fish a period of time undisturbed to feed and grow.



me!

 

[JEFF WHITE]

pa. has a catch and imediate release season till the opener of bass,but you cant be visibly throwing it into the beds where they are spawning,so legally you can fish for them,but not legally.its kind of like accidently fishing for them,but you are not fishing for them.me personally i dont fish for bass during the spawn anyway.



ny i know you cant fish,peroid for bass.a few people on the lake this weekend caught a few out in 38 ft water.we didnt only get one fish all weekend.but hey thats fishing!!

 

[Adam Murray]

The reason smallmouth are selectively targeted for closed seasons is mainly due to the fact that most fisheries biologists believe the spawning cycle of these fish comes to a complete halt when they are caught. Unlike most largemouth bass, it is believed that the act of hooking a smallmouth is such a traumatic experience to their system that beds will not be returned to or even attempted, if caught pre-spawn.



I've heard it argued on both sides, but not being a trained biologist I really don't have an opinion.

 

[gone bye bye]

I do not claim to be a biologist, just a bass fisherman that has caught bass off beds. Especially smallmouth. I do know that smallies go back to the beds after catching them. I have caught the same fish 4 times in 20 minutes (watching the fish the entire time), and after seeing the energy level of the fish drop dramatically I realized that the fish could not protect its bed or eggs/fry in such a fatigued state.



Seasons are imposed to give the fish a chance to spawn, so they can survive. Smallmouth are notoriously easy to catch on the beds. Largemouth are also. Since it is so easy to catch and ultimately fatigue or possibly kill a fish, the DNR has imposed seasons. I guess you could look at it this way, if you really care about the fish, and the fishery, leave them alone.



I know you are from Michigan and we have many more angling opportunities in this great state. The perch and walleye fishing is outstanding during the bass spawning season on Lake St Clair and the Detroit River. Not to mention the pike and panfishing.



I was one that didnt think that catch and release fishing for bass on Lake St Clair was not a problem, there are just so many fish in the lake.....how could it hurt? But due to the recent decline in numbers of quality fish last year I am beginning to question that. I have not fished for smallmouth on possibly the greatest smallmouth lake in the world yet this year, a first for me. Normally I would have boated over 300 smallmouth by this time in the spring.



I do feel that the charter captain/live bait guys are hurting the fishery more than people realize. I know of a gentleman that went on a charter last year and said he wanted to release everything and the captain told him he couldnt. They fill their tags EVERYDAY for smallmouth for everyone on the boat including the crew. I have watched a single live bait boat (dont know if it was a charter or not) fill a cooler with over 50 smallmouth in an hour. 4 "customers" on board and a captain. I am pretty sure they went to another spot and got them just as good. That is going to decimate the population in Lake St Clair.....so report anyone you see violating the seasons and limits.....IF YOU CARE.



If you are dead set to catch a bass, I understand. There are special regulations for catch and release on select lakes around the state. Most of them are exceptional smallmouth fisheries. Cass Lake in Oakland County is one of them. I spoke with a friend that was on Cass today and he boated over 40 smallmouth with the largest weighing 5.4 pounds......all prespawners and all released.



Sorry its so long, but I am trying to get the word out about protecting our great resource in our Great Lakes.



I am off my soap box for now....



Mini

 

[scott lewis]

Well put mini

I would have to agree with you.

scott