Corps Lake Rules

I had to apply for a "Special Event Permit" from the Grenada Corps office and some of the rules are as follows:

"t. The tournament staging area and the primary/secondary weigh-in stations must be located on government property within a recreation area that possesses a boat ramp."

"u. Tournament participants, during designated tournament hours, will only have in possession at all times the maximum number or fish the tournament allows for weigh-in,,,,,"

"v. All live fish will be returned back into project waters....................Dead fish will not be returned to project waters and the permittee and/or tournament organizers will have the right to determine how the expired fish will be dispersed,,,,,,,,,,,,,"

I will be talking with my contact at the Grenada office Monday to get more clarification on rule "u".

wow--

If I remember correctly, the manager at each lake sets the rules for each lake. So it may be different at the next Corp lake we go to. Major, if this isn't accurate correct me.
What is disappointing is the idea of catching a three pounder, wanting to mount it, but having to put it back. I guess the best you can due is hope it is one of the fish that die before you get to the scale.
Regardless, I feel we need to happily comply with the rules to set a good example for others. There are plenty out there that think we are damaging the fisheries by holding tournaments. The corps are going to listen to them as much as they listen to us. I believe fishing is a right, but holding a tournament is a privilege. We need to generate all the goodwill we can by being compliant.

That second rule could get a lot of fellers in trouble if not watched closely. Seeing as I rarely catch seven fish, shouldn't have to be too concerned with accidentally going over.

The permit they sent to me is for all Corps lakes; however, the lake manager may interpret them differently.

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

The permit they sent to me is for all Corps lakes; however, the lake manager may interpret them differently.

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How I came up with that theory was from the controversy at Arkabutla last year. I believe we were told we had to donate the dead fish at that tournament.
I remember there were some pretty strong feelings there. I'm not trying to stir up a conflict; just want to be sure everyone understands the rules and abides by them.

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Originally Posted by ATM

How I came up with that theory was from the controversy at Arkabutla last year. I believe we were told we had to donate the dead fish at that tournament.
I remember there were some pretty strong feelings there. I'm not trying to stir up a conflict; just want to be sure everyone understands the rules and abides by them.

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That's my point in this post. I will call them Monday for clarification.

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

That's my point in this post. I will call them Monday for clarification.

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You might explain to them that this is a friendly fruitjar not a big advertised and sponsored tournament. That might make a difference.....I don't really know but it won't hurt to tell them that .

If you catch a huge one theyll let you keep it. They have at all the previous tourneys. Bo n Brad kept all 7 of theirs from grenada year before last. They had over 19 lbs so they kept them

I agree with what Atm is saying but at the same time I think we should be able to keep a limit of fish just like anyone else....just saying...

Since when does the coe give a flip about the fish? They dont seem that concerned every yr when they flush thousands of them down the commode and they will tell you that recreation is not their concern that flood control is their main job.Pfffffft

I hear ya jim, and after talking to my partner about this stupid rule, we are thinking of passing on corp tourneys because we both eat our fish. Heck if I wanted to throw them back I would go back to bass fishing...

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Originally Posted by Gator_1

I hear ya jim, and after talking to my partner about this stupid rule, we are thinking of passing on corp tourneys because we both eat our fish. Heck if I wanted to throw them back I would go back to bass fishing...

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I think you're correct in not fishing the tournament if you don't agree with the rules. Show up, don't enter the tournament, fun fish, and enjoy spending time with your friends. If you don't agree with the rules, contact the Corps and try to have them changed. But having this disagreement with the ranger at the weigh in is not the way to handle it.
I still think a lot of us are missing the point about the locals complaining to the rangers about the damage they believe tournaments are doing to the fisheries. I think this is their attempt to make all sides happy.

Bet those are the same rules we have been having n theyve never said a word bout keeping fish that you didnt turn in at the weigh in before. Wannabe can tell us if those are thw same rules

You hit the nail on the head ATM

Sounds like the COE is hung up on the word TOURNAMENT. Is there any other phrase that could be used? I know it's a word game. But we are talking Government.

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I wouldnt worry bout it guys. Catch your fish. Weigh in your big 7 keep whats left. If ya got a big fish you wanna keeo just let them know n you can keep it. Ive been to 4 weigh ins at grenada where they had the tanks to release the live ones n thats the way ita been every time. It aint that big a deal

This is bass tournament trickling down to crappie tournaments

Tournaments are about money.The fish should be returned to the lake.dead fish shouldn't be weighted or at least carry a fish care penalty.And YES ....this is the way it's been in bass fishing tournaments for years. They are just trying to protect the resource. Crappie tournaments are growing in numbers,the money is getting better,bringing more and more people to them....IMO the rules will have to change.

Teh reproduction of a crappie is ALOT higher than a bass, no comparison in my eyes.

DD, I might be wrong but ignoring or breaking the rules might be ok, but if they did decide to inforce them it might result in us (c.c FJS) not being able to pull permits for future tournaments. I would not want to be the guy that caused that!!! Just saying. I think what ATM said is the right thing to do. If you are just fishing the tournament for the $ or braging rights then follow the rules. If you want to just meet people, fellowship, ect. Don't enter tournament and fish for fun and keep your fish.

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Originally Posted by Gator_1

DD, I might be wrong but ignoring or breaking the rules might be ok, but if they did decide to inforce them it might result in us (c.c FJS) not being able to pull permits for future tournaments. I would not want to be the guy that caused that!!! Just saying. I think what ATM said is the right thing to do. If you are just fishing the tournament for the $ or braging rights then follow the rules. If you want to just meet people, fellowship, ect. Don't enter tournament and fish for fun and keep your fish.

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Well said and fishing and not entering might be the way to go

Just telling you that I've fished SEVERAL tourneys at Grenada where they had the tanks and NO ONE has said a word. We've caught fish, kept the ones we didn't weigh and IF someone wanted to keep a special fish, all they had tio do is ask. this isn't my first rodeo. Ya'll sounding like a bunch a women, ya worry to much. LMBO

Well these are all good points... Major will find the answers today.

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Originally Posted by DonDon

Just telling you that I've fished SEVERAL tourneys at Grenada where they had the tanks and NO ONE has said a word. We've caught fish, kept the ones we didn't weigh and IF someone wanted to keep a special fish, all they had tio do is ask. this isn't my first rodeo. Ya'll sounding like a bunch a women, ya worry to much. LMBO

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My problem with your plan is the rules Major posted say live fish must go back. If I get to the weigh in with a 3 lb'er I want to mount, and the rules are enforced, I must release it. So instead of sticking our heads in the sand and hope it works out, I propose we attempt to change it. At Arkabutla last year we had a ranger present telling us we had to release our live fish. And I believe Torch was collecting the dead ones to donate.

Still trying to get some clarification but my contact at the Grenada Corps office is not in yet.

Tks major

Thanks for handling this for us Major.

Talked to the Lake Manager a few minutes age but he said I still need to talk to the other guy, who will be out of the office until Wednesday. In the mean time, I got a PM from Rees Guide and he has good relationships with a couple of the Corps guys and will go the their office Wed to negotiate in person. That was great news to me. Thanks a whole lot John.

Yea thanks John and you too Major...

Thanks Gator.

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Originally Posted by majflyboy

Talked to the Lake Manager a few minutes age but he said I still need to talk to the other guy, who will be out of the office until Wednesday. In the mean time, I got a PM from Rees Guide and he has good relationships with a couple of the Corps guys and will go the their office Wed to negotiate in person. That was great news to me. Thanks a whole lot John.

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Not a prob.

ATM, I just know from being at tourneys with the COE guys there with the tank for those to be returned. They had no problem with letting you keep a special fish. Like I said, Bo and brad kept ALL 7 of their record stringer. I'm going to do what I been doing, Keep my fish, weigh 7 and the lives ones I don't want to keep, they can have. Course I pla n on having seven 3 pounders so I guess I'm gonna keep em all LMBO