OK, I know it's early but now that we have all seen/read about the direct effects of opening up the bass fishing during the prespawn-spawn on LSC, how many would vote to go back to the 'old' regs prior to legalizing IC&R (I question how many follow the immediate part of the regs) during April-May-June? I would really like to know how many blame the kills on the bacteria alone and not added stress from CPR? I'm willing to bet the F. colimnare bacteria has been in the waterway long before this season, I'm sure. Or how many blame the weather or other environmental anomalies? And just where is Dan Kimmel and the others who lobbied so hard to get the MDNR to heed their wishes? I'd love to hear their take on things. Who among us doesn't think this bass kill will happen again next Spring? Don't forget, there were probably a lot more dead bass than what was visible along specific spots of the lake's Western shore. And yes, I did fish 2-3 times each ICR season and caught my share of prespawn-spawning smallies. But I would gladly give up early (legal) smallie fishing if it means protecting what is surely one of the best smallmouth fisheries in the world. Just curious if we anglers are going to just sit and wait to see what happens next Spring, or the one after that.
I'd also like to see the state of MI or some governing body oversee the clubs/organizations that host bass tournaments and make sure that if they don't have adequate (we all know what that means) weigh and release procedures being performed, then penalize them or ban them from future use of the resource. But that's a whole other can of worms.
I am just sick and tired of people thinking they can use the natural resource with no ramifications or that "their" actions don't contribute to what could be a severe downfall of the smallie fishery, much like Michigan's economy. We need to think long term management or we're all going to regret possibly losing what we have.
Just my thoughts for a Sunday afternoon. I'd love to hear what others think about this.
I'd also like to see the state of MI or some governing body oversee the clubs/organizations that host bass tournaments and make sure that if they don't have adequate (we all know what that means) weigh and release procedures being performed, then penalize them or ban them from future use of the resource. But that's a whole other can of worms.
I am just sick and tired of people thinking they can use the natural resource with no ramifications or that "their" actions don't contribute to what could be a severe downfall of the smallie fishery, much like Michigan's economy. We need to think long term management or we're all going to regret possibly losing what we have.
Just my thoughts for a Sunday afternoon. I'd love to hear what others think about this.