MN Bass Season dates are ridiculous!

[EBass]

I'm for catch and release period for largies and smallies. But I know that's just me.

[HawgTide]

Quote:

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You guy's can't seriously think that takin bass of the beds doesn't have an impact on them do ya?

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What I'm suggesting is we come up with a proposal that actually helps (Preserves) the Fishery, allows the Fishermen to enjoy their pasttime and could boost the economy. It seems pretty cut and dry that the current regulations are there to preserve the Bass, but are based on either outdated theories or pure ignorance. The current regulations do not help Bass one bit. Even if there is a warm enough spring for the Females to have spawned before opener, the fishermen are unleashed shortly after to have their way with the overly aggressive males guarding the nest. Catching a guarding male is far more hazardous to the population than catching and releasing Females full of eggs.

I would propose that the season open along with Walleye and Pike, and then be catch and release only until June 15th or July 1st. For the tournaments, they could get special permits to hold the fish long enough for weigh in.

Can we get an online Petition started?

[Mark Christianson]

I'm all over that one HT.

(The season idea that is)

[gvt]

HawgTide,

I like your proposal! But, just to keep it interesting, I'd propose that the C&R season never closes. I don't think there would be a biological benefit to closing the C&R season???? If not, keep it open. It may pose more of a challenge to the DNR officers, since there would likely be a need for more patrolling of the waters. Either way I am definately in favor of some sort of a C&R season for bass. An online petition would be a great start! Thanks

[Ray Esboldt]

HT,

I'm in a rush so I didn't read the whole thread, but I like your idea. Let's make bass officially C&R until some date in June. However, I would be very much against the tournament exception. I fish tournaments and enjoy them, but there's no way that group should be an exception. Tournaments would do more harm to the fish than if they just opened it up to catch and keep.

[HawgTide]

The reason I included the tournament exception is they would probably make the loudest noise against this proposal otherwise. If there were no tournaments allowed before Memorial Day Weekend(current bass opener), then it would be the same as it is today as far as tournaments are concerned. I don't fish many tournaments, so I would choose no tournament exceptions also, but to get this passed, I would think it would be better to have the tournament people on our side.

[Deitz Dittrich]

HT- I dont speak for all tounament dudes.. if they opened fishing for bass at the same time as walleye and pike but it was catch and release till mem day I dont think the tounament dudes would have a problem with it.

[smallie_hawgin]

Hey Guys FYI, I started another thread in the outdoor discussions etc.... Maybe you could comment on the "entire deal"...

http://www.fishingminnesota.com/forum/showflat.php?Cat=&Number=567607&page=0&view=collapsed&sb=5&o=&fpart=1

[HawgTide]

Deitz, there are several different ideas/proposals being floated around on here now. The scenario you just described is basically the current regulations plus 2 more weeks of catch and release only. That would be fine by me too, but that really wouldn't benefit the Bass/Spawn and may appear self-serving. I believe if we are going to get a change from the DNR, we will need to show how it will improve the fishery and benefit the public. If it were catch and release only until mid June or July 1, then there would be significant change in the regs for protection of the spawning female bass AND the males protecting the fry. That is why I thought the Tournament Folks would protest. Unless there were special provisions to allow Tournaments to bring in their creels to weigh, then they would be losing 2 weeks to a month of tournament time. Would they be willing to trade 2 more weeks of fishing for 2-4 weeks less tournament time? Who knows right now. I guess that's why were having this discussion. Hopefully we can come to a common ground and unite as a large voice that cannot be ignored.

[Ray Esboldt]

I still say no way to the tournament exception. If tournament fishermen are truly interested in enhancing their passion even more, I think C&R only until mid June is acceptable.

In my opinion, Minnesota's bass fishery isn't really in danger. I am not really passionate one way or the other about C&R for the first month or opening the season earlier. However, look at all the metro lakes that have had extended periods of C&R only on them. I have noticed big changes in the size structure of the fish in these lakes.

[HawgTide]

There's a Ron Schara article about this in the Star Tribune Online or Paper.

[Mark Christianson]

http://www.startribune.com/stories/503/5421744.html

Perfect timing on this article, and I like what it has to say!

[buzzin for bass]

HT -

I hear what you're saying and I completely agree. While it would be nice to be able to fish for and keep (for the wife to eat, I can't stand the taste of any food that comes from under the water) as many of all species as I could get in the boat that's just not realistic it would eventually hurt the sport. I do think the regulations help increase the amount and size structure of our fish. However, it does seem odd that bass opener seems to generally occure well before the end of their spawning cycle and certainly before the males have quit guarding the nest. I guess what I'm getting at is I would be happy to compromise by not being able to keep bass later in the summer in order to protect future fishing, especially if I get to be out there doing CPR earlier.

I feel like we could be on to something, wouldn't that make you other FMers proud to be part of opening up bass fishing while increasing the protection afforded the bass?