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.