Let 'em know what you think.
⫸<{{{{{⦇°>
One other thing on this. I suspect that the reason that the DWR has been reluctant to raise the limit on dink smallies is because a certain segment of bassers continue to loudly proclaim that the best bass management is 100% catch and release 100% of the time. While I agree that there is merit in protecting trophy sized bass via regulation, the evidence seems overwhelming that heavily harvesting stunted dinks provides a benefit for the lake and the surviving bass.
Hopefully, more bassers will eventually come around and see the light. However, I’m quite certain that some never will. [:/]
I’ll put in my two cents. I like catching smallmouth because they fight. I’d love to be able to help improve overall size of them in DC and other smallmouth waters where feasible. Thanks for the info.
I agree about the limit. I’d favor a No Limit on smallies, but only one over a certain length. As I’m not a biologist, I’d let the experts set that length.
And you are correct: they are delicious.
BINGO.
Sure wish the people running the show would get on board with this… There are a few WY waters I think would benefit greatly from unlimited smallie harvest too.
They are an awesome fish, smallies, but you can’t let them take over a lake. They have to be checked.
I’ve submitted these ideas many of times to the DWR. I guess they feel it’s not a problem. I don’t think anyone who works for the DWR fishes for bass or really cares. I don’t have time to make the meetings or I would go so I’ll just keep voicing my opinion electronically.
One other thing would be great. Don’t have the same limits for largies as smallies. They aren’t even close in habits, size, or population.
One other thing would be great. Don’t have the same limits for largies as smallies. They aren’t even close in habits, size, or population.
Excellent point, however I’m not sure that many Utah anglers can tell the difference between the two species.
There are a few WY waters I think would benefit greatly from unlimited smallie harvest too.
When we were up to the Gorge last week my friend caught a burbot that had a seven inch smallmouth in it’s stomach.
That might get that body of water to were it has some bigger smallies.
**I definitely agree about the basic differences in largies vs smallies. Both Deer Creek and Pineview were once great for largemouth but the smallies took over and pushed them into isolated nooks and crannies.
Have you made any effort to contact Drew Cushing? I have had conversations with him on the smallie issue but he is part of a political thing. Needs more pressure from more areas. And you would be surprised at how many DWR folks fish for non trout species…in some of our fave ponds.
Don’t know what is doable and what is not…or what it is going to take to get some active attention. Having more concerned anglers making more noise and showing up for events is probably the best way to at least get the ball rolling.
PS…don’t tell Cliff.
**
PS…don’t tell Cliff.
[/b][/#0000FF]
You trying to ruffle cliffs feathers? [:P].
I long for the days of 12"+ limits of perch from DC. A decade ago a guy could catch a 10 fish limit of 12-15" ers there and have an excellent dinner. We went last week to the old perch spot on DC and caught one 12" er. Sad really. Can’t release them either if it is too deep. I have noticed a difference in the brown trout also-- more slender and less numbers.
I wish there was a way to net the bass out of there. Of course that isn’t feasible, but a guy can wish! I’m all for making the bass unlimited- no size restrictions. Some largies would be collateral damage, but their numbers have been reduced anyway because of the smallies. Of course the bass-masters will completely disagree with that line of thinking.
Would be nice if there were some safe structures to place in the lake and allow cover for the fry.
A 10" smallmouth from an overpopulated lake in what I call a “bronze perch”.
They taste great in the spring and early summer.
**Yeah, I’ve kept plenty of “smallettes”. In this picture of a 10 incher from Deer Creek you can see that they eat well at that size…crawdads, baby crappies and anything else that doesn’t eat them first. Every one you remove from the food chain means more food for all the others.
[inline “HAPPY MEALS.jpg”]
**
Has anyone else caught any Perch this year at Deer Creek ??
**Going back to about mid summer this has been typical of the last three or four years. A few scattered perch being caught by anglers fishing for trout or smallies…or walleye. One or two reports of catching multiple perch in a small spot on a single trip…with no repeat performances. And very difficult to find any schools of perch either in open water or under the ice. On sonar you are lucky to find scattered singles or maybe a few within one area…no big concentrations.
Sadly different from the days when perch carpeted the bottom of the lake at all depths…every month of the year…and regularly exceeded 12 inches.
**