C&R Ice fishing?

[Stick in Mud]

I suppose it has something to do with the fact that most guys catch fewer fish in the winter....or that they get out a bit less often. I don't know...there's a reason we can use two lines in the winter but only one in the summer.

And I think a lot of people C&R during both hard and soft water. I've only kept a few fish so far this year...most have gone back. And there are lots of guys who can say the same thing.

[morepower02]

I keep and eat most legal fish I catch.... I am selective but like to eat fish.

[dishman]

I practive C&R all year long. However I do like to eat fish and do ocassionally keep a meal for the family. Walleyes over 18" go back. I like to eat fish, and don't enjoy cleaning them. The idea of cleaning 90 little sunfish like my dad did when my sister and myself would go with him in the 80's just doesn't appeal to me.

[KrabbyPatties]

Wow....I'm surprised to see how many people don't like to clean fish. Cleaning smaller panfish can be a chore at times, but overall I don't really mind doing it. I guess that's why I've always been the designated fish cleaner whenever I'm with friends or family and we keep fish--even if I don't go home with any fillets. In the summer, it's not all that uncommon for me to throw back everything I catch but still somehow end up cleaning someone else's fish for them.

[panfishpounder00]

i always promote catch and release! i dont think it's how many fish you c&r but more importantly the quality or size of fish you are releasing. it doesnt really do a water system any good if you release the smaller or "stunted" fish and keep the bigger ones. this is why the dnr has set slot size limits but even then i'd much rather eat a 14" walleye over a 18" or 20" 'er.i belive most people now days practice good cpr and know to take the smaller fish for consumption. this holds exspecially true on pike!

[grizrunner]

PPP...I don't know if I'd say "most people", but a lot do. I have certain size criteria, but I don't consider myself 99% C&R. If I can take home a limit of 14-20" eyes, 10-12" crappies, or 8-9"gills, I will. I only get to fish once a week if I'm lucky, and I don't fish bigger lakes where limits are common. I have a family of 5 and we all LOVE fish. I don't mind cleaning them one bit. However I will never take more than we can eat at one sitting. If we have a good day, we'll eat primarily fish. If the catch isn't so good,we'll eat a few more fried potatoes and greens. Fish never see my freezer and I don't fish for others. Well, my folks might get a meal once in a while. If we want a meal, it's the best excuse for the wife to let me go.

Oh ya, I don't fish northerns, musky,or bass. If I catch one of those rough-fish, they immediately go back w/ the rock bass

[Jarrid Houston]

I am as avid as a CPR guy as they come, and actually try to encourage it to others. However, like most I will occasionally keep fish to eat (NOT GIVE AWAY). This seems right thinking about how much money and time I invest into the sport. I like letting fish go, so someone else can enjoy. Even though there is a good chance the next guy will keep it! Just part of the fishing world....

[trro0901]

I'm 95% C&R, I would like to be 95% CPR but I never remember a camera. If I'm keeping fish I do my research first on the lake I will be fishing and get an idea for the size of the fish population. It seems that there are always fewer larger fish, so keeping smaller fish makes sense. Granted slots are made on some lakes, not all have them, and most lakes have info online that the DNR puts out. I like to think about the northern population on the lake where my cabin is. There are a ton of hammer handle pike and I have seen the panfish population shrink every year. So I primarily target smaller pike. I noticed this year fishing suspended crappies in 27 FOW, I caught 4 smaller pike (1-2lb), typically I don't catch pike in deeper water, makes me think they are more desperate for food because of the competition. Just my thoughts. Anyone have any supplemental strategies they have made for keeping a a better balance on non-slotted lakes?

[blackdog1101]

I do keep panfish fairly regularly, but throw back a lot too. I do only keep smaller fish though. I'm fine with 6" sunfish and 8" crappies. Anything of larger size for good breeding gets released.

[fishnowworknever]

I'll keep what I catch if I want a meal (I have my personal size limits within the legal limits). I also keep a fillet or two frozen in the freezer in case I can't get out which is much more often than me actually getting out.

[dan z]

usually put most back. I would believe I only keep 25% of what I catch.

[minnbowhunter]

I keep more of what I catch in the winter because I think the fish taste better caught from the cold water. Summer fish seem to be less firm and not as good on the plate. Having said that I still only keep one meal when I go out, that way I have a reason to go out the next day.