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Hmmmmm.....no reply to that one?
I wasn't following... could read that many ways... LOL
Lets leave the rules and regulations and bag limits to the experts who know what they are doing. I have been fishing for gills and crappie my whole life and I am catching just as many if not more now as I was 25 years ago on the same lakes. The Indiana DNR does a great job for us and if they ever see fit to implement some of the things you mentioned I would support them, but until then I'm going to keep slaying slabs and delivering fish to my Dad, who taught me to fish and can no longer get out himself.
If we release some of the larger fish and keep the mid size this would help....
On most lakes it is easier to add fish than take away. Meaning once a lake is stunted it' s hard to reverse that trend.Paul
That is an excellent point Paul... Like golf beer even makes you a better thinker!!
I agree with pretty much everything you said, the main thing being enforcement becuase limits only work if someone makes sure they are followed. I have seen enough people in my day that don't and won't follow the 25 crappie limit. I know one guy that has been busted 3 times and thinks it's a game between him and the DNR. I also know that some lakes could be harmed by a limit on gills but I tihnk the limit on gills should be enforced durning the spawning months for sure and would not have an issue with a 25 fish limit year round on them. The state also has to deal with the differences in temps and growth rates between N Indiana and S Indiana when setting limits. You said to try it on a lake or two and see the results, but the problem is every lake is different in its ecosystem as you said and fishing pressure on one lake may differ widely from others. I fish alot of Michigan waters and they limit panfish (perch, crappie and gills) to 25 total per day. Their lakes blow most indiana lakes away in the quality of panfish they kick out, and the pressure on them is no less than Indiana lakes. I also see michigan CO's about 5 times to every 1 time I see an IN CO. If people that want to break the law fear they may be caught because the CO makes himself visible, the less those people overharvest.
Good post! I would like to add that Kentucky Lake biologists are looking into closing spawning area (bays) as oppose to making seasons, which I think is a great idea!
That's great for you crappie guys that fish out of state in tournaments. My tax dollars reside here.
Can I just cut and paste my replies from a couple years ago? Seriously though, it's a sensitive subject but I enjoy hearing from all sides. And I usually learn something new each time also...... always a worthwhile endeavour.http://www.iceshanty.com/ice_fishing/index.php?topic=180008.msg1748406#msg1748406
I am bowing out of this one before I say something I shouldnt. Have fun fellas.