[paul g]

The Ohio Division of wildlife this tuesday voted to change the rules, from May1 to the third week in June to catch and immediate release only..Say good by to tournaments..My contact,who is the outdoor writer for the Toledo Blade said that Michigan is thinking about doing the same thing..Lets see, that now makes the season about four months long. Hardly worth owning a Bass Boat. Paul G

 

[Mac]

Well,...atleast in OH, they can still "legally" fish for them,....they just have to immediately release them. We can't even legally do that in MI on St.Clair or the river's!!! Personally,..I would WELCOME a C&R only season on 'Clair and the connecting waters from May1-3rd weekend in June! We've wanted that for years and still can't get it!!

Now, if the D&R changed the laws for the inland lakes and made a C&R only until June,..that would cause a huge outcry IMO. But the MBCF can still hold the inland tourney's (Burt/Mullet,..Elk Torch,..and even Saginaw Bay for that matter) starting Memorial Weekend.

I agree though,....if they limit our season even more,..there will be no reason to spend money on boats, LICENSES,..Tackle,...Ramp permits,...etc..etc....they'll shoot themselves in the foot financially in the worst way!!! It's time now to make ourselves heard as a collective voice and let them know that "their policies" directly affect "our spending", which directly affects "tax dollars" that pays "their salaries!" LOL When they screw us,..they'll eventually screw themselves. We all live downstream!!

Mac

 

[Czar]

Wish we had that rule on StClair. Can`t keep the smallies off your line during that time of year. Seems like the DNR in Mi is shooting itself in the foot too, with the new walleye regs for Erie. They should do more to promote, not hinder fishing oppertunities. Not only do the sportsmen suffer, the various businesses conected to our sport suffer as well.

 

[No More Mini]

Judging by the numbers presented, the change in walleye regs is to protect the fishery in the long term. If we dont try to be proactive, there may be nothing to protect.

Mini

 

[Mac]

Paul said it was for Smallies...not Walleye.

 

[paul g]

I Did not mention the walleye change in my first post I thought it more important to mention the smallmouth rule change.I went to maumee bait store today to talk to Gary the owner, and he said the new rule of only three fish in the spring is going to hurt his business bad..also I sent a message to our outdoor writer about the devestating effect of the tourist business around Port Clinton and Sanduskey..Our club has gone down there every year and spent a lot of money on hotels,food ,gas. and more.one weekend last year there had to be 300 boats between tournaments and clubs.I stand with Mac that we need to work side by side with the DNR for the benifit of everyone including the fish.Remember what they did here in ohio is BAN tournaments for three months in the spring.We do not want to go down this slippery slope.Just think if they pass a law in Michigan for all lakes, the first federation tournament wont happen till the last weekend in june..thanks paul g

 

[No More Mini]

Paul,

They did not ban tournaments they banned catch and keep. By doing that they in effect did ban tournaments that weigh-in fish. Perhaps a new method of paper tournaments would be in order?

I have heard of no such law or proposed law on shortening the Michigan bass season. And believe you me if I do....

Mac,

I know Paul was talking about bass, but Czar mentioned walleye, my post was in response to his.

Mini

 

[smallie5]

Its unbelievable how short the bass season already is on St. Clair and connecting waters. You can't get excited about fishing for smallies until almost July that is sick. They should at least let you catch and release this time of year for bass. I agree we have to protect spawning bass, but it is contradictory. The walleye fisherman are catching more bass then most bass fisherman this time of year on live bait, and tons of fish are dieing. The bass fisherman just want to catch and release. I don't understand the DNR. Now when I go fishing in May for trophy smallies Iam really just using a tube jig to catch monster walleyes off of shallow rock piles.......

 

[smallie5]

Not to rehash, but Iam not sure how well the Dnr manages our fishery. In particular our bass fishery. I was down in Texas a couple of months ago and they spend tons of time and money into their bass resource. They have great stocking programs and biological studies of ecosystems just for bass. I understand alot of our tourism is on walleye and Salmon here in Michigan but I think more time and money can be spent on bass research also. The whole state has world class bass fishing and it could be better. I think we need to think of more ideas for dnr money and think of other ways we can help our bass fishery. In conjunction with the help of the DNR and the community I think our bass fishery could be awsome whether it be inland lakes or the great lakes. And this could also bring lots of tourism money. Lakes St. Clair doesn't get stockings of bass or much research and look it how this fishery flourishes natuarally.