01-22-2016, 05:57 PM
[quote scartinez]Now that's an idea. Smallies are stunting all over the state. I love to catch smallmouth but getting fish over 14 inches is a task anywhere near Salt Lake. I would love to see the statewide limit on smallmouth changed to 12 fish with only one over 12 inches allowed. Or better yet a slot that protect smallies from 12-18 inches and only one over 18 allowed. Still a 12 fish limit though. I harvest the darn things every time I'm out but I can't put a dent in them 6 fish at time.I think I would even support a temporary 20 fish limit with only one large fish allowed.[/quote]
+1. I've been keeping more small ones too, when feasible.
Not that one comment does much good, but I have suggested to the DWR, during their public comment effort they do every spring, raising the limit for smallies under 12 inches to 10 or 12 fish for a couple years now. At both Jordanelle and Deer creek, (where I do most of my smallie fishing) I believe this would provide a nice benefit.
It is interesting, at Jordanelle this past year, I had a much better year for size than I have for a few years. It also seems to coincide with a somewhat reduced number of 5-7 inch dink smallies caught, probably from reduced spawning success from the lake being drawn down so dramatically.
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+1. I've been keeping more small ones too, when feasible.
Not that one comment does much good, but I have suggested to the DWR, during their public comment effort they do every spring, raising the limit for smallies under 12 inches to 10 or 12 fish for a couple years now. At both Jordanelle and Deer creek, (where I do most of my smallie fishing) I believe this would provide a nice benefit.
It is interesting, at Jordanelle this past year, I had a much better year for size than I have for a few years. It also seems to coincide with a somewhat reduced number of 5-7 inch dink smallies caught, probably from reduced spawning success from the lake being drawn down so dramatically.
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