03-18-2016, 07:02 AM
I never really understood the fuss about keeping fish during "the spawn" in any situation honestly. But I do understand people being sour about people keeping fish over their limits or snagging fish illegally.
If you keep a fish in July you are keeping it from spawning in March just like you would be if you caught and kept one a week before it dropped a single egg or sperm.
And I also get tired of the "release the big hens" they are the most important fish to the system... often older larger fish don't produce as many viable eggs as smaller younger fish. And if you keep a smaller younger fish you are removing maybe 3-4 plus years of spawning? Whereas if you kept a big older fish it might not even get the chance to spawn again before it dies of old age?
If you want to keep or let go any fish that is fine but don't try to rationalize it in some way to make you feel better or more moral about it. Just follow the rules/laws and do as you wish other than that.
Just some thoughts.
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If you keep a fish in July you are keeping it from spawning in March just like you would be if you caught and kept one a week before it dropped a single egg or sperm.
And I also get tired of the "release the big hens" they are the most important fish to the system... often older larger fish don't produce as many viable eggs as smaller younger fish. And if you keep a smaller younger fish you are removing maybe 3-4 plus years of spawning? Whereas if you kept a big older fish it might not even get the chance to spawn again before it dies of old age?
If you want to keep or let go any fish that is fine but don't try to rationalize it in some way to make you feel better or more moral about it. Just follow the rules/laws and do as you wish other than that.
Just some thoughts.
[signature]