Conservation..
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:35 pm
Conservation..
Many of us fishermen are concerned about conservation..So many pics of big fish in a kitchen or a backyard far from any water..which tells us there is no release..this may bring pride knowing you got a big one and at the same time it will in time make you feel guilt or shame..we are all guilty of this from time to time especially when we were rookies and didn't know any better..but as we grow as an angler so should our ethics ..big fish hold more toxins,taste is poor and take longer to come back..I caught a 30" walleye last week and I thought about mounting that beautiful thing back guilt struck in..and when I released her knowing what I did for her,the enviroment,and maybe someone else..I felt better made the catch that much more..and as my buddy's watch me do this one said"i would've had a hard time doin that"for me the catch and pic was the important part..for me...I released a 30"er to eat a couple 16's but it is the wise choice for the little ones are easiest to clean,cleanest to eat,and will be replaced in the ecosystem in 1 to 2 yrs where that big girl 10 to 15 yrs and will have produce billions of babies with exceptional Dna that makes fast growing, big and survivors..even a big male passes these genes and helps ...So those who were thinking keeping big fish are good well think what are we really doing???please try it and unerstand and in the long run you can feel a new type of satifaction.. and me I believe by doing the right things the gods bless me when I fish.. heres the fish and the release..
Gl and fish on
Gl and fish on
fish on...
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 1:43 pm
Re: Conservation..
cant seem to post the vid link here so goto my profile and I am going to put it on my featured video... if you care to see it.....because seeing is believing..Gl fish on and CNR works for everyone..
fish on...
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:05 pm
Re: Conservation..
It really depends on the type of fish and the lake your fishing in. Some lakes need the big ones gone and the little one's to stay some the opposite. Following the regulations set by the state is the way to go. The reason they have those regulations is they have done studies and know what needs to be taken out of where
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:20 pm
Re: Conservation..
I have to say you are wrong unless you fish ponds and thats not really fishing...thats a old wise tale or an accuse to make themselves feel better about keeping them...you think the big fish eats all the little ones or there food..they make alot of food too which feed other fish which in turn feeds them plus they generally wont be eating the same as little ones like big bass will eat rodents here and there and big pike ducklings where smaller fish wont untill they get big enough..its part of the ecosystem thats was thriving untill humans exploit it..and but law I had full rights to keep that fish for whatever reason...but I didnt.. the laws are made mostly by morons who hardly fish and guys with lots of ideas and little thought...into it..and thats why they change those laws every few yrs still trying to figure it out...
fish on...
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 3:01 pm
Re: Re: Conservation..
I agree 100% Igor, and should apply to all species. It is so simple I dont know why people dont get it.
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 2:42 pm
Re: Conservation..
I agree with releasing the big ones and I've noticed most bass fishermen do that but theres a lot of pike and crappie fishermen that don't like last winter a guy fishing at a lake I have a cabin on caught a 3 pound crappie and kept it I know there's more in there but thats not the point there's no reason to keep a 3 pound crappie you get plenty of meat off the 9 and 10 inchers especially since your allowed to keep 10 per person in Minnesota
Adam Atkins
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:05 pm
Re: Conservation..
I agree on selective harvest, but keep in mind that as fish age and get larger there egg quality and sperm quality decreases, walleye above slot size, like a 30 " and up usually do not produce quality eggs/sperm, that is why the slot size is where it is. Perfect example, i worked at a MNR fish culture station up in Dorion ONT. It was a brood stock facility, while i was on contract i stocked 300 male and female lake trout into Lake Superior, these fish were all 10 lbs and up, but they had lived out there prime spawning life ( 7 yrs) and were no good anymore for spawning. Im not saying keep every 10 + Walleye out there, just once they get to a certain age they just do not produce.
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 5:48 am
Re: Re: Conservation..
I have been told, by a very good source, that while those big girls may not produce the numbers they used to, they are still important when it comes to genetics and still can produce.
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 4:08 pm
Re: Conservation..
I agree as well. I will hardly ever keep fish, and if I do, they are white bass/panfish or trout that are sterile and stocked in the waters for the lone purpose of being eaten. It's disgusting to me if I see someone take a big fish for the purpose of table fare. I saw a 32" brown trout taken out and kept by some guy who was planning on eating it. I am very happy that the G&F here are passing more laws that require C&R on some of my favorite trout waters.
Fish New Mexico
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 5:48 pm
Re: Conservation..
truth in what Kevers says while a 10lb walleye is big it was Georgian Bay and out there that is not that big but a perfect healthy spawner as some friends of mine who work for commercial fishermen said they seen 18 to 20lb walters from nets and a friend of a friend has got a 16lber on the wall...but inland that would've been a real oldie...do what your rights allow but sometimes a step beyond is really what is right!!but that just the opinion of a conservationist..who enjoys his resource..Gl and fish on...
fish on...
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 6:46 pm
Re: Conservation..
One more thing about big fish passing on their genes:
By the time any fish hits trophy size, it will likely have passed on it's genes to thousands if not millions of others.
Eating smaller ones is good in most cases, unless the bag limits are real low. Taking six 12-14 inch walleyes is fine, but being limited to only 2 (as in ON conservation license) might convince someone to stick with 18-24 inchers instead.
By the time any fish hits trophy size, it will likely have passed on it's genes to thousands if not millions of others.
Eating smaller ones is good in most cases, unless the bag limits are real low. Taking six 12-14 inch walleyes is fine, but being limited to only 2 (as in ON conservation license) might convince someone to stick with 18-24 inchers instead.
Freshwaterphil.com
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:11 am
Re: Re: Conservation..
That is a poor excuse to stick to the 18-24 when you have the option to buy the reg license and keep the 4, or 6 smaller fish. Even at that why would you keep 6 fish when 2 fish is clearly enough for a meal.
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 8:58 am
Re: Re: Re: Conservation..
I agree, but not all provinces/states offer that option. You can't expect people that fish clean, pristine waters to go to a fish market to buy polluted fish that have been sitting on ice for days.
In the case of smaller fish such as wild brookies, browns and rainbows, you can't expect to feed your family or a group of friends a fish dinner with five or six 10 inchers.
Let us all remember that fishing has been a primary food source since the creation of mankind. The dwindling fish populations are due in large part to industrial/ commerical overfishing, and habitat destuction/pollution caused by big industries. These culprits don't discriminate between big or small fish, in general all are part of the overkill.
Buying a license that allows for bigger bag limits won't help conservation efforts either, the extra money is likely to be wasted by the Govt instead of being put to good use.
In the case of smaller fish such as wild brookies, browns and rainbows, you can't expect to feed your family or a group of friends a fish dinner with five or six 10 inchers.
Let us all remember that fishing has been a primary food source since the creation of mankind. The dwindling fish populations are due in large part to industrial/ commerical overfishing, and habitat destuction/pollution caused by big industries. These culprits don't discriminate between big or small fish, in general all are part of the overkill.
Buying a license that allows for bigger bag limits won't help conservation efforts either, the extra money is likely to be wasted by the Govt instead of being put to good use.
Freshwaterphil.com
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 8:18 pm
Re: Conservation..
i agree with you igor. mother nature has been able to sustain itself without human interference for millions of years. it is us who are destroying the ecosystem. all the invading species that keep showing up are brought here by humans. perch used to be prime in eastern ontario , until they were so overfished. now its not even worth it. bass and walleye were prime in the longsault area and now its loaded with carp, instead of bass and walleye. the Europeans are coming by the droves and they are baiting the carp nonstop. so theres a good section of the st lawrence that was once prime, no longer. the sport fish have been replaced with carp, and round goby. this has been caused by us. in this area we have 2 conservation officers. how can they enforce the laws, i have no idea. 2 guys cannot take care of an area this big. i havent seen a conservation officer in a couple years now, and i fish alot. i see people taking more than there limit quite often and i see people using gobys for bait. both are against the law and i hardly ever see it enforced. the government has done a very piss poor job conserving. of course the guys making these so called fishing regulations are over paid pencil pushers who sit behind a desk all day drinking tim hortons. the ministry of environment has a book out that recommends not eating much fish from the st lawrence. the fish are loaded with toxins. if i did want to keep them to eat, how safe are they. all in all fishing and the environment are going to the crapper and its a shame. is it to late!
TWEINZ--theres no other KEINZ
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 9:05 am
Re: Re: Conservation..
Very accurate description of Long Sault. I fish the Long Sault or Lancaster area almost every week, most game species are gone around Long Sault, only to be replaced by carp and gobies. Personally, I haven't eaten anything from there in years, but I know plenty of people that don't mind.
As for the conservation officers, I was checked twice this season and once last season near Long Sault, and once near Lancaster this season. It's always one of the same 2 guys, seems like they've really increased their patrol of hotspots, as I was never checked in Ontario before 2008.
As for the conservation officers, I was checked twice this season and once last season near Long Sault, and once near Lancaster this season. It's always one of the same 2 guys, seems like they've really increased their patrol of hotspots, as I was never checked in Ontario before 2008.
Freshwaterphil.com
Posted Tue Oct 13, 2009 9:16 pm
Re: Conservation..
WOW! Igor you got the hamster just a rollin!COOL! Boy...when I was a kid centuries ago..... my Grandpa always said "throw them little ones back they will grow.. the big uns are old and no good for breedin just eatin."
We kept the big ones and ate everything kept. Our world has changed since then! You guys are so cool for speaking up and telling your personal experiences fishing! Don't get me started on BEAUROCRATS (is that how you spell the silly word???)!!!LOL My stance is: I know my waters... I know the rules and ALSO what's abundant and what's not. Fishin is Fishin no matter where your at... river pond lake ocean tubby or toilet!...and if I have to tell my fishy in the toilet story...I will with a bit of bribes!lol
IGOR YOUR 30" WALTER IS AMAZING! I hope he swims to me! I thought you told me you're not much into BIG eye's!WAHOOEY YOU ARE NOW!!! CONGRATS KIDDO! I love Bounty we all get better as we go!
Smiles Always!
We kept the big ones and ate everything kept. Our world has changed since then! You guys are so cool for speaking up and telling your personal experiences fishing! Don't get me started on BEAUROCRATS (is that how you spell the silly word???)!!!LOL My stance is: I know my waters... I know the rules and ALSO what's abundant and what's not. Fishin is Fishin no matter where your at... river pond lake ocean tubby or toilet!...and if I have to tell my fishy in the toilet story...I will with a bit of bribes!lol
IGOR YOUR 30" WALTER IS AMAZING! I hope he swims to me! I thought you told me you're not much into BIG eye's!WAHOOEY YOU ARE NOW!!! CONGRATS KIDDO! I love Bounty we all get better as we go!
Smiles Always!
MA
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 6:33 am
Re: Conservation..
Well said Twienz
"2 guys cannot take care of an area this big. i havent seen a conservation officer in a couple years now, and i fish alot. i see people taking more than there limit quite often and i see people using gobys for bait. both are against the law and i hardly ever see it enforced. the government has done a very piss poor job conserving. of course the guys making these so called fishing regulations are over paid pencil pushers who sit behind a desk all day drinking tim hortons."
The people that know what is best are right here, if you want to learn responsible, sustainable fishing practices just listen to what some of the regulars on here have to say, forget the laws.. if you are being responsible you are not taking you limit evertime you go out and you are utilizing the most abundant part of the fishery for harvest and releasing the big fish.
With digital cameras on almost every boat and replicas instead of skin-mounts available there is absolutely no reason to keep big fish.......other than Ego....simple as that.
"2 guys cannot take care of an area this big. i havent seen a conservation officer in a couple years now, and i fish alot. i see people taking more than there limit quite often and i see people using gobys for bait. both are against the law and i hardly ever see it enforced. the government has done a very piss poor job conserving. of course the guys making these so called fishing regulations are over paid pencil pushers who sit behind a desk all day drinking tim hortons."
The people that know what is best are right here, if you want to learn responsible, sustainable fishing practices just listen to what some of the regulars on here have to say, forget the laws.. if you are being responsible you are not taking you limit evertime you go out and you are utilizing the most abundant part of the fishery for harvest and releasing the big fish.
With digital cameras on almost every boat and replicas instead of skin-mounts available there is absolutely no reason to keep big fish.......other than Ego....simple as that.
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:40 pm
Re: Conservation..
well i don't know about ya'lls states but the tpwd does a pretty good job down here. obviously there are idiots that take over their limit but if you keep your fish and stay within the limits your not hurtin the fishin any. there are more fish in the rivers and lakes than we'll ever catch out of there. everybody can say what they want but if someone catches a good fish and wants to keep it who can say their wrong? why would you feel guilty? it's fishin get over it. It's perfectly legal and it doesn't hurt anything. there are millions of big fish we'll never catch them all
Posted Thu Oct 15, 2009 5:11 am
Re: Re: Conservation..
Thats the attitude that almost destroyed the fishery on lake of the woods.
Posted Wed Oct 14, 2009 12:58 pm
Re: Conservation..
We have about 2 million anglers in Minnesota if we all kept are limits and kept any big fish we catch, even with over 10,000 lakes and hundreds of miles of rivers, it would deplete the fisheries faster than anyone could imagine. Fish aren't unlimited.
Adam Atkins
Posted Thu Oct 15, 2009 8:20 am
Re: Conservation..
well ya'll think what you like i'll keep fishin and you'll keep fishin. if you really wanna do somethin for the fish numbers and size fight for more laws on commercial fishing they take more fish in one day than we take in a year
Posted Thu Oct 15, 2009 12:27 pm
Re: Conservation..
Good luck on fighting the commercial it is just like the big companys they pay alot of money to uncle sam..so all you can do is your part.. if eveyone took part.. even just hear and there..you would see the results..its the same with littering are you going to pick up that piece of garbage at the boat launch and put it in the garbage ...or are you the kinda guy who looks at it and says"its someone elses job...if eveyone tommorow picked up a couple of items of garbage of our streets how would it look like the next day...just like the fish if everyone released the next big fish today and tommorrow..the future would be better...and if you want to keep those big fish it is your right but just remember when you see all our big fish we catch every month..and you wonder where your big ones are..you took them out... but they will be back in 10 to 20 yrs...Hope this thread makes at least one angler think or even change there ways if it does then it was worth it...dont be the guy who thinks why do that for the future..what has the future done for me...have faith in your actions as they can darken or brighten your future.and others..
fish on...
