An Open Letter to all Fishermen

[DTro]

Dear Fishermen,

We are fish and would like to ask for a little more respect this year. Please don’t toss us up on the bank to rot and die. Not only is it unethical, it is illegal. Please have fun enjoying our fight (which is probably more fun than most of the other fish you normally catch) and either return us safely back to the water, or put us on ice and enjoy the meal that we will provide for your family. Believe it or not, some of us are actually considered prized catches in other corners of the world.

Contrary to popular belief, there is no law that says you cannot return us back to the same water we came from, if someone tries to tell you otherwise, please inform them to read the regulations.

We provide ample entertainment for young and old, and while we may look a bit funny or "ugly" at times, rest assured we will put your gear to the test, and please don’t forget some of those trips we saved in years past when you couldn’t catch the other fish you were chasing and we were more than willing to bite.

Enjoy your 2011 Open Water season and take a picture with us this year!

Sincerely,

Buffalo, Carp, Sucker, Redhorse, Burbot, Bowfin, Drum, Gar, White Bass, Cisco, Mooneye, and Bullhead

[BronzeBrother]

Well said Dtro, Uh I mean river fish.

[goblueM]

I've never understood when folks get upset after catching a large carp, drum, etc. It gave you a good fight, didn't it? Wasn't it exciting?

[Slabasaurus]

Thanks river fish, that was very well put. You must have received your education somewhere else and swam upstream after schooling (hahaha, get it? cuz they're fish! I know.. lame)

It astounds me how often i hear anglers talk about killing rough fish, particularly bullies, and leaving them on shore.

Bad for the system? No... I'd say wanton waste is bad for the system.

Carp, Sucker, Redhorse, Bullhead, Drum, I personally thank you for the entertaining fights we've had the past month. Burbot, Bowfin, Gar, Cisco, Mooneye, I only ask that we meet in the future, as I hear good things from those in the know about y'all.

[bobbymalone]

+1

A healthy fishery is a diverse fishery.

[OnAFly]

I don't know how many times I've heard, "You released a Bowfin? You're required by law to kill those things!"

My usual reply is, "It's a native fish. Why would we be required to kill them?"

The great thing about fishing them and carp is that so few go after them, the population size and structure is awesome!

[Farley]

I've never understood when folks get upset after catching a large carp, drum, etc. It gave you a good fight, didn't it? Wasn't it exciting?

It was exciting when I thought it was a walleye.

[mainbutter]

A number of the fish listed above are primary forage for predator gamefish.

I never understood the concept of predator's food being bad for the system.

[reinhard1]

the bowfin is the meanest fish that swims hands down [fresh water]. i tapped one on the head while it was under some lily pads and instead of scooting away like other fish would he just nailed that spinnerbait and did a job on it. had to throw that spinnerbait away. good luck.

[itchmesir]

love it!

[Nydds]

Right on!Say you haven't been fooled and you are lying! True fishermen should appreciate all species in my opinion and the sport they provide. Fished the Miss for walleyes and saugers my whole life and never have turned my nose up at the countless sheep,carp,cats and whites that have bit the jig! All good fun.

[Bluegill1510]

First of all why would a guy just chuck cisco's on shore, when other guys pay good money in Canada to use them for walleye and northern? Its free bait in my book, reuse them!

Also if your not going to keep suckers or carp to eat or smoke or for fish patties....they can be utilized as fertilizer for gardens and farmer's fields, as well as they make great bait for bear baiting/hunting, grant it if you have the freezer room.

I also get a kick out of guys who complain about all the bowfin in a lake and just tell you to toss them on shore, cuz they "ruin" lakes...its to bad they "can't" or "don't" make the connection that they shouldn't be worried about the bowfin but should be fishing for the nice panfish that cruise the same waters as the bowfin....oh darn it gave out a tidbit I've learned over the years or its just simple fishery science.

[Finlander]

Give a hoot and don't pollute!

[Nick Kuhn]

I've never understood why people do that either. Makes the day a little more fun when you find a surprise on the end of your line. I've only caught one bowfin, but it was a 28" fish on ML tackle and it put up a great fight. I was with my 2 brothers at the time, and it took until the third time I brought it into view before we figured out what kind of fish it was. Bullheads we always just count as -1 to your fish count for the day. We used to give them to a neighbor who ate them back when they were over-abundant, but now they are back to a pretty normal level so we just release them as we catch very few. Other than a couple white bass I've never caught any of the other fish you listed. I'd like to though.

[goblueM]

lol Nick, my uncle and I do the same thing with rock bass - they're a -1 for the fish count

[ItsaCrappieLife]

Only one time I can think of when I was pretty disappointed. I tied on a walleye jig and was fishing in a small stream that had overflowed it's banks. I hooked a fish that put up a huge fight and I thought for sure I had a nice walleye. After a long fight the fish was stuck at the edge of some tall grass quite a ways out in the river and I was not wearing waders. I decided a large walleye would be worth a pair of wet feet. About the time my boots had completely filled with water I came upone a large carp with my jig in it's mouth at the edge of the grass. Never crossed my mind that a Carp would take a jig since most of the carp I had ever caught were on a hook and worm.

[bobbymalone]

Also if your not going to keep suckers or carp to eat or smoke or for fish patties....they can be utilized as fertilizer for gardens and farmer's fields

Invasive carp I really don't care much about, but throwing native fish in the garden is only slightly less dumb than throwing them on the shore to rot. Go get some composted manure or legitimate fertilizer if your garden soil needs amendments.

[itchmesir]

Invasive carp I really don't care much about, but throwing native fish in the garden is only slightly less dumb than throwing them on the shore to rot. Go get some composted manure or legitimate fertilizer if your garden soil needs amendments.

How are you supposed to afford compost or fertilizer when ya got a bank loan for that $20,000 fishing boat??

[mainbutter]

Never crossed my mind that a Carp would take a jig since most of the carp I had ever caught were on a hook and worm.

While I've never seen it happen in the US, there are places in Europe (particularly one place in Spain) where fishermen actually toss crankbaits for carp. They're a pretty weird species and really behave differently at different times of year and in different waters.

[Hory]

All of the carp I catch go into the garden when fishing the nearby river. All of the other "native" rough fish are gladly relased from my boat and always will be!

[mrklean]

ha if your around buffalo and catch suckers or redhorse I'm happy to take them from you, they will make for nice catfish bait

[TigerBlood]

Invasive carp I really don't care much about, but throwing native fish in the garden is only slightly less dumb than throwing them on the shore to rot. Go get some composted manure or legitimate fertilizer if your garden soil needs amendments.

Cripes! Ease up on the guy. If someone wants to legally harvest a carp and plant it in their garden is that really a big deal? I think there is ample carp in our waters for anyone who wants to legally harvest. As long as I don't see them thrown on shore, I don't care if you eat them, plant them or mount them.

[Jarrid Houston]

Although I have not done it in sometime I like to Shoot them with the bow! good practice. That is carp...

[River Dan]

Yeah let the rough fish go, plenty of walleyes to use for fertilizer, makes the tomatoes grow real well, left out cleaning them first, my bad

[reinhard1]

one of the guys that posts here on HSO put carp as the first ingrediant in the holes before he planted his apple trees. he has plenty of apples to this day. i will do that this year as i will plant two apple trees. i have eaten carp, but from lake superior and it was fine [smoked]. but these will come from the big M river. dont eat those. good luck.