05-08-2008, 08:12 PM
Writing from Ireland, Europe.
On many lakes where I fish there are lower size limits and all small immature fish must be returned. This protects the yearclass which will reach takable size in the season to come.
Recently we have a more enlightened policy emerging of also having upper size limits. In this way the takable trout might be from 1 1/2 lbs up to 4 lbs. And trophy fish must also be returned, on these waters.
The reason for this is so as the genetic code of the faster growing trout is not eliminated by angler cull, and these desirable fish get several chances to spawn, making more of their fast growing disease resistant kind.
Before this the anglers killed the fast growing big ones, leaving the weakling runts to spawn and generate the new fish. Over years dwarf trout were being selectively bred.
The quality of fishing in these waters where trophy fish go back is far better than the waters which have only a smaller size limit. The difference is such that the new practise is being adopted in more waters each year.
One other difference ... the need for absolute secrecy about catches is reduced when the "lucky newbies" and "freezer-fillers" are restrained from ruining a water so that it needs a time to regenerate. The water is productive enough to give up many "middle fish" and still maintain quality fishing.
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On many lakes where I fish there are lower size limits and all small immature fish must be returned. This protects the yearclass which will reach takable size in the season to come.
Recently we have a more enlightened policy emerging of also having upper size limits. In this way the takable trout might be from 1 1/2 lbs up to 4 lbs. And trophy fish must also be returned, on these waters.
The reason for this is so as the genetic code of the faster growing trout is not eliminated by angler cull, and these desirable fish get several chances to spawn, making more of their fast growing disease resistant kind.
Before this the anglers killed the fast growing big ones, leaving the weakling runts to spawn and generate the new fish. Over years dwarf trout were being selectively bred.
The quality of fishing in these waters where trophy fish go back is far better than the waters which have only a smaller size limit. The difference is such that the new practise is being adopted in more waters each year.
One other difference ... the need for absolute secrecy about catches is reduced when the "lucky newbies" and "freezer-fillers" are restrained from ruining a water so that it needs a time to regenerate. The water is productive enough to give up many "middle fish" and still maintain quality fishing.
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