Ky Lake Creel Survey

This past Saturday we were fishing in Johnthon Creek and here comes the Ky Fish & Wildlife biologist doing a creel survey.
I have no problem with them doing this but have been reading some of the post on the Ky board about what the state is going to do about the fish population. Just wondering what they are going to accomplish with doing this. In my opinion (and we all have one of those) why don't they send someone out there that can write these law breakers a ticket who are keeping short fish or those keeping over the daily creel limit. Back several years ago they did this and lowered the daily creel limit. Although it was just red tape they had to wade through. I asked the question of how many people that he seen in a day that had short fish in there posession and he said quite a few. I asked what was there reason for keeping these short fish and they told him religious reasons. HA.
I'll tell you one thing you better not get caught killing more ducks than you are supposed to because they will nail you to a Cross.

I guess we need to find out what religion they are.. No really I was checked also Saturday. I'm like you he may not have the authority to write them a ticket but he didn't have to let them have them back. When he measured them if they were too small he should have thrown them back, no questions asked, or get on the radio and report them..Quit cutting back the limit and take care of the real problem.

Hi Slay,

I agree that there needs to be enforcement on creel and size limits. I can tell you I am friends with the KDFWR enforcement officer for Calloway County. Last year I saw him one day and he had written almost a book of tickets for short fish that day. So they are out there. I have his cell number so I can call him if need be. But you are right. I got into it with some guys one day on Jonathan at Town and Country. I was cleaning the days catch and it looked like these guys were cleaning eveything they caught. I called them on it and they told me to mind my own business and I told them fishing was my business. I couldn't get anyone there that night but law enforcement was there the next day checking fish at the cleaning station. I don't know if these guys were caught but maybe it threw a scare into them. And tourists are part of the problem but I know locals as well that won't turn a fish back regardless of the law. I was talking to a guy tonight that I am guiding for next month. I told him I have gotten to where I hardly clean any fish. usually its only for clients. The couple fish I am holding in my profile picture were turned back. I'll be the fist one to admit they are delicious but I have a hard time putting a knife to something that brings me so much joy.

Lyndon

That guy doing the creel survey is getting payed with my tax $'s & is working for the state. :mad: Can't they deputise him or something. I mean even a rent-a-cop can hold someone till the law gets there! All he should have to do is get a name & address/boat numbers & have them a ticket sent to their house or notify the Game Warden. I f they can take a picture of you running a stop light & send you a ticket, They outta be able to do that!

This is a sore spot with me & it really chaps my butt. I don't care if I pi$$ some people off, this year I'm say'n something & make'n the call! I'm tired of it! :mad:

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Originally Posted by Wiskers

That guy doing the creel survey is getting payed with my tax $'s & is working for the state. :mad: Can't they deputise him or something. I mean even a rent-a-cop can hold someone till the law gets there! All he should have to do is get a name & address/boat numbers & have them a ticket sent to their house or notify the Game Warden. I f they can take a picture of you running a stop light & send you a ticket, They outta be able to do that!

This is a sore spot with me & it really chaps my butt. I don't care if I pi$$ some people off, this year I'm say'n something & make'n the call! I'm tired of it! :mad:

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I agree with you buddy. If I see illegal activities regarding our resources or anything that endangers others on the water, I'm getting law enforcement involved this year. I've seen several incidents with people taking fish over the creel limit and under the size limit and let it go, but I now think it's our job to help police our own.

Old Guide,
I just want to comment on your post. First crappie guy I have heard shares my feeling about the fish. I don't want to get into all the stuff about population control etc. Just wanted to say I feel the same way, I let almost all my fish go, especially the really big ones. When lucky I get to go about once a week and keep 5 fish so we can have a mess that week, and sometimes a few for friends and family.
Here in central KY we have the same problem, people keeping short fish and then there are guys who get to fish all the time and they keep everything, every day.
These guys are taking out 100's of fish each year. I am not a biologist and admit I don't know if it hurts, but I hate a hog as much as anything.

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Originally Posted by Old Guide

Hi Slay,
I told him I have gotten to where I hardly clean any fish. usually its only for clients. The couple fish I am holding in my profile picture were turned back. I'll be the fist one to admit they are delicious but I have a hard time putting a knife to something that brings me so much joy.

Lyndon

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Here where I fish there are no size limits. And several people I know will keep just about everyone that they catch. I've set a personal 10 in. limit for myself. I sure wish the state would do the same. No wonder I have problems catching the bigger fish. There are very few in there. IMO

I fish Kentucky Lake all the time and havn't been checked for at least 3-4 years.I agree that anyone who keeps short fish should at least be fined .It wouldn't bother me to be checked at anytime,and I wish there was more enforcement. If I catch a fish that is even close to the 10" minimum or questionable I will throw it back, but I remember back a few years ago I was cleaning 7-8 fish at the cleaning station at the Irvin Cobb Marina, when an old guy came up to see what I had caught. Most of the fish were in the 13" to 15" range with 2 of them a little over 10 1/2". The old guy told me that the smaller one's were short fish, and too small to keep. I told him to go get a ruler and I would let him measure them. It just really irked me to be accused of something when I know that I was right. The old guy didn't fish himself, but went around from person to person talking about everyone else. I feel sure that he told people that I was cleaning illegal fish.

In my opinion, I find it more important to be tougher on people who keep too many legal fish (10" >). Because those are the fish that reproduce not the short fish.

I agree that people keep too many fish and sometimes short fish. I've known people who hide fish and I've seen some get out on the bank and clean fish before going in to the ramp.It' sad, but that's people for ya.Doh There just aren't enough game officers to get the job done right. We all need to report anyone we see breaking the law...Hands Clapping