Kentucky lake limit

[southparks]

Has anyone noticed the new 20 fish limit on kentucky and barkley lakes?

[Joey Briggs]

I dont think it starts until March first.

[badbrad]

It was heavily debated here when word first came out that it was going to be proposed. A lot for it, others who are traveling from far away being against it. Some believe that without improving habitat that lowering the limit in and of itself will not help. Others think that by lowering the limit it would obviously help restore the population.

The movement for the proposal cited poor spawns the past three years as the leading factor.

I myself am for whatever is best for the fishery, and if the guys who are out there surveying the population think it's necessary, then don't guess i'd be opposed.....just my opinion.

[wannabe fisherman]

I dont think it starts until March first.

That's correct, it starts with the new fishing season March 1st.

Louie

[Wiskers]

Any of you who read my posts about this subject pretty well know my opinion on the new limit that goes into effect Mar. 1st.

I am neither for nor against the 20 fish limit but..... Stop and think about it. Howmany people do you know that go out and catch 20 keepers consistantly now. Answer, not too many if any. If you do on these lakes... consider yourself one heck of a crappie fisherman. We've already got a lower limit on Ky. and Barkley Lakes that has been imposed on us by Mother Nature and Man.

I personally don't think the new limit is gonna do much to help the population. They've tried it before and it hasn't worked. It may help a little for a little while, but its gonna take years and years to see a significant increase in fish populations. But if something's not done, sooner or later they are gonna be scarce!

The problem is, lowering the limit only addresses 1 aspect of the problem. Rarely can 1 factor be blamed for an incident. It is always a series of events that come together that cause adverse results. You have to step back and evaluate the total problem not just part of it. In this case it is a combination of... #1 Fishing pressure/new technoligy, #2 Loss of habitat, #3 Introduction of non-native species i.e. Hybreds, Rockfish, Zebra Muscles and such, #4 Large lake level fluctuations during prime spawning times (TVA's unwillingness to waver from their current practices. Start bringing the lake up on April first and by God, not a minute before!), #5 Flip/flop of dominate species primarily due to the change in water clarity (used to be ruffly 70% White Crappie & 30% Blacks. Now its almost completely reversed. A 2 pound Black Crappie doesn't carry near the eggs that a 2 pound White Crappie does. Less babies less adults)... I could go on.

We are keeping the wrong fish. We are keeping the "Dump Trucks" and throwing back the "Pickups". I believe the next thing we'll see is slot limits (keep the middle fish and throw back the big fish and the little fish). A few years of this would help the crappie population as it has helped the Redfish down in the gulf. But there again, that's only adressing 1 aspect of the problem.

Sorry for getting up on my soap box again but I wish everyone would get past the tunnel vision and see the big picture.

I have every confidence that our fisheries guys will figure it out sooner or later. I just hope when they do its not too late for my grandchildren.

[Rowdy]

Good idea Whiskers!!! The slot is a great idea but allow 1 large fish a day, for braging rights???

Rowdy

[CatFan]

I agree with both Wiskers and Brad. My thinking is that a lower limit's biggest help might be to protect fish population if we were to have perfect fishing weather for a long period during the spawn. Then you might see big numbers of fish hauled out in one year, and that could have a bad long-term effect.

I already practice the slot-limit idea to a degree. The big mamas go back in the water after a picture unless they are deep hooked. Whether it helps or not, I don't know, but I feel better doing it. Personally, I'd prefer to clean a couple of 8 or 9 inch fish and leave the big one to reproduce, but that's not the way the law works right now.

[Wiskers]

Good idea Whiskers!!! The slot is a great idea but allow 1 large fish a day, for braging rights???

Rowdy

Yep. That's what I mentioned in one of my earlier posts. You should be allowed to keep 1 over the max length limit incase you catch a "mounter". :D

[Joey Briggs]

I would thank closing off the back of some of the bays so they could get back to spawn would be a good idea. just my 2cents

[Wiskers]

I would thank closing off the back of some of the bays so they could get back to spawn would be a good idea. just my 2cents

There was some talk about that a few years ago. I would not have a problem with that either. Good idea!