CTFishTalk.com: What would you think of stricter fishing laws? - Connecticut Conservation & DEP ( CT Conservation & DEP ) - A Community Built for Connecticut Fisherman.

Vudak · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 66

I'm curious what you all would think of Connecticut adopting a few stricter fishing laws, namely, defining a closed bass season to protect the fish during their spawn.

I understand there are some who will say "give them an inch and they'll take a mile," but I think it's a bit crazy that we don't protect these fish during that critical time. I think there is more than enough upside to justify holding up the tournaments for a month or so. Lake Champlain anglers don't seem to mind.

Your thoughts?

Bass Sniper · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 255 Location: west haven

my thoughts are that fishing during spawn is fun....it would suck if there was an off season for bass....
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"Taco flavored Doritos
And my orange life vest
caught a hundred pound sturgeon
On twenty-pound test "

Vudak · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 66

Oh it doesn't mean you wouldn't still catch bass during the spawn - only that you'd have to release them.

Lake Champlain has strict fishing laws for spawning bass. I think bass season opens the 2nd or 3rd weekend in June. You're still more than welcome to fish - just not to take all species home for a few extra weeks.

I agree that I would NOT want to see spawn season completely off limits to fishing. Just something along the lines of Champlain's system.

PECo · Joined: 06 Oct 2009 Posts: 5203 Location: Avon, CT

I'm the only person on this site who I know has eaten a largemouth bass this year, well, two actually, and only then because they didn't survive their hookectomies. I think catch and release is pretty widely practiced here. That's why I told the DEP surveyors that I'd have no objections to designating any of the lakes I fish as bass management (aka trophy bass) lakes:

http://www.ct.gov/dep/lib/dep/fishing/freshwater/bassbroc.pdf
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Vudak · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 66

Yep, slot limits or reduced creel limits is a good idea on a lake by lake basis.

Even so, the thought of taking any fish either before they've had a chance to spawn, or as they're defending their young just rubs me the wrong way. Admittedly, it could be argued that even catching them hurts the young's chances, but I think they have a much better shot if pop shows up a minute later as opposed to pop winds up on a dinner plate.

I don't do it, but I'm not against a person taking and eating fish. There are certain waters where it is even helpful. But I don't think it's illogical to suggest that protecting the spawn will enable more fish a chance to be caught and either released or eaten.

Taking fish while they are breeding is as far away from conservation as you can get.

Of course, I'll bet most anglers understand that, and the ones who don't are the bucket brigade anyway.

Bass Sniper · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 255 Location: west haven

I just dont think it would make a difference, even after it has been clarified for me that they can be fished but must be released. I would say probably 90% or more of the bass fishermen in CT are catch and release, the other 10% are comprised of fishermen who fish to feed their families (but who eats bass?....besides PECO Smile

) and a certain group of people (who I dont put in the same category as the forementioned fishermen) who we see all the time at our favorite spots fishing with worm and bobbers and keeping everything they pull out regardless of species or size....Those assholes are going to keep doing that no matter what, I would strongly doubt that they even have licenses....
_________________
"Taco flavored Doritos
And my orange life vest
caught a hundred pound sturgeon
On twenty-pound test "

Vudak · Joined: 02 Jun 2010 Posts: 66

Bass Sniper · Joined: 05 Feb 2010 Posts: 255 Location: west haven

except that when I go fishing, I tend to want to relax as much as i can cuz if I didnt fish I would probably be found atop a clocktower, so the last thing I want to do is go out of my way to lose an hour of fishing and infiltrate a bunch of scummy $%@*&#$% (I really wish this wasnt a public forum where I had to hide what I was really saying/thinking) that are not going to change the way they do things anyway. Let the DEP issue a ticket or fine, are they gonna pay it? Prob not, I wouldnt, cuz whos gonna come after you for it? and what are they going to do? throw you in jail? I think not. The DEP is busy enough not having a budget to have enough emloyees to police every body of water and every scumbag who poaches....I admit its a crappy attitude, but it doesnt matter what they impliment, things are not going to change. Sportsmen are still going to be sportsmen and scumbags are still going to be scumbags....Im goin fishing
_________________
"Taco flavored Doritos
And my orange life vest
caught a hundred pound sturgeon
On twenty-pound test "