Our Flatheads just keep getting bigger!

[ec30_06]

I doubt it since they allow them to be commercially fished in lake pepin.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I dream of a catch and release only law on Flatheads. Not realistic, but a guy can dream.

[dsm95]

As far as I'm concerned, catfish already have a pretty strict slot limit. People will always catch and eat fish (that's why we started fishing in the first place isn't it.) imo I think the fishery is fine. I would concentrate more on the two line rule than anything.

[DTro]

I agree Brent. I think there can be a healthy balance between a trophy fishery and responsible harvest.

[Gordie]

Yes I belive the laws that we have in place are the best they can be right now and every now and then I will eat a cat and I see nothing wrong with that.I just dont eat the big ones. We lead by example and the more that we show others that its alright to cpr the big girls the more I think it will happen. I already know that some of the old timers (riverrats) have adopted these standards for them selves from the old days when a 30 pound plus cat was enough for a couple of good meals. they have seen what can happen to the fishery and are now releasing the big girls like we do and a couple of the push for that now.

[Scott K]

I know I have converted over atleast 3 old river rats that would keep all the fish they caught, to now only keeping the ones under 10 lbs. They to have seen the benefits of C&R on the big girls, just in the last few years. Common sense prevailed, if you catch and take the big ones, those big fish wont be there the next time, if you throw it back, you can fish the spot several more times, and the big ones will be caught again, throughout the year.

These 3 that I have converted, fish a lot, and do catch a quite a few bigger fish, that are now being put back in the water, instead of going home and put on the table, or freezer. So maybe instead of arguing with the people that take the big ones, take them out in the boat with you, and show them, it is OK to throw the big ones back, and to keep the smaller ones for the table. Then show them how fun it is to catch the bigger ones, and explain to them if it is released, someone can have the fun to catch it again, and again.

[rushing]

Not only can you catch them again and again, the bigguns produced MUCH more eggs and pass on better genetics.

[Gordie]

Not only can you catch them again and again, the bigguns produced MUCH more eggs and pass on better genetics.

Kinda like samsquatch