Quote Originally Posted by Amartinbio View Post
I tend to agree about the recent fishing pressure. But it hasn't been a steady increase. Barkley last year had much lower pressure than previous years. Kentucky lake had much higher pressure this year than previous years. (I don't have exact figures yet since the survey isn't complete and we missed the early fishing since our survey didn't begin until February 16).
I think this is probably a function of people hearing about good fishing and trying to "strike while the iron is hot". With the internet, word of good fishing travels fast and brings in people from all over the country. It is years like this when our 20 fish limit is actually effective (most years the average angler doesn't catch 20 keepers so the limit isn't important). I definitely agree that some people ignore this and our ten inch limit (especially in years when we have a lot of 9 inch fish like last spring).

This is definitely something we are watching closely. A hypothetical major increase in fishing pressure changes the math of our population modeling and potentially supports more restrictive harvest regulations. If pressure is consistently higher than in the past we have a couple of options to reduce the pressure. One is of course to reduce the creel limit to 15 or even 10. (Might not have enough angler support for that one). The other option would be a pole limit of 3, 4, or 5 poles. (This assumes that the increased pressure includes a large percentage of spider riggers using more than 3 or 5 poles). Spider riggers do catch more fish an hour on average than those who fish with one or two poles. After last years creel survey we simulated the results of a pole limit and found a very limited reduction in harvest if we were to enact one (this could change if we observe greater numbers of anglers spider rigging or if they get more efficient.)
Nothing is being proposed, just thought I'd let you know we were evaluating it.
So, what does it matter if a man uses 1 pole or 8 poles....... a limit is a limit regardless of methods.
So, if you limit poles then you might as well limit tackle, one in the same.
I completely disagree with your data, information and research on this subject. As long as I am following the laws that we currently have, what does it matter to anybody, anyone or any organization like some older fisherman in the KY League of Sportsman that want spider rigging, long lining and any trolling made illegal.
Just as the ecosystem is changing, the crappie are changing their habits as well, so the fisherman will need to adapt or go hungry.