Thread: Size Limit

I would think your lakes would over populate within a few short years if fishing during the spawn was outlawed. Then the lake would begin filling with stunted fish due to the competition of available food. I'm just guessing though.

Apparently, the DNR does their homework and utilizes their resources to give their best educated guess as far as limits on the different species of fish and game. When Carolina imposed the 20 fish creel and 8" size limit I called the Ga. DNR home office and had a lenghty conversation with one of the officers there. Now I know SC and Ga didnt agree this time (and that may change later on) but the changes werent made off the fly....instead from the data they gathered. Ga's data just reflected something different. Since then, I've also questioned the allowable deer that each person can harvest because I "think" our herd numbers are down and I see that number hasnt changed either. I guess what I'm saying is I'm glad our game laws arent made from shooting from the hip (like alot of us thinks happens sometimes) but rather from collected data each and every year. I'll just assume the DNR is looking our for our best interests. And as far as the same boat carrying limits to the bank and coming back for more and more....I'd report them in a heartbeat! They might be hard for the law to catch but atleast I'd know I did my part and let them know who they were.

I guess I was thinking about the lakes that the White Perch population has exploded. I know they target spawning fish such as crappie and have nearly wiped out the white bass. Just thinking it would lesson the impact the perch are having on them.

I have no idea on how to set the size limit other than what has been mentioned. It would not hurt to have bigger fish in our lakes for sure. I can only hope DNR can set the size limit to fit the fishery that will affect the population for years down the road for all of us. As far as 8 inch fish on the Catawba river chain it is a good measure for the boat and bank fishermen. I would hate to see someone getting a ticket for a fish under 10 inches caught from the bank. Some how it just burns my blank to see wardens checking for short fish by any fisherman. I think your personal size limit is going to be best for you as a sport or meat fisherman in all our waters. I like bone in fish just like some of you and as a guide or just a sportsman who wants big fish you can keep your size limit to suit you. 10 inch rule would hurt a lot of fisherman who can't do or get to the fish you can

Let me back up a little. I am not totally out ruling genetics as I know this is a big part. I just don't believe it is as big a part as nutrients and habitat. The fish have got to eat and find cover to hide from predators to be able to stand a chance of making it to trophy size. Without those two you have no good genetics. Same as deer. They have got to have the same things to make a trophy. In South Carolina we do not have the vast farmlands like the Midwest. Therefore you do not see the 180" class deer. Between the lack of nutrients and the long season, mixed with a sorry limit system you will never see that kind of trophy. My point is without giving the animals the chance mature how do you know what the genetics are. Instead we go out and catch and kill before they get to be 2 years old and benefit the herd or school

I only eat the small ones, the big ones taste too strong. if the size limit goes up I will get sneaky and continue to eat the small ones. some of us aren't pros and can only catch a few runts to make the gas purchase worthwhile. If you want to, self impose and leave us less fortunate fishermen alone

10" would be fine with me, I use a 10" limit now and it has to be a fat 10" for me to keep..