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Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
#12526294
12/04/17 04:44 PM
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Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,327
CBoone
OP
Extreme Angler
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OP
Extreme Angler
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,327 |
Is there any point in trying to do this? Has anyone ever had any luck?
Backstory:
Small (~300 acre) lake, slot lake, known for big fish but on the decline, not a tournament destination for even any club/local groups (that I've seen in 2-3 years)
Ran into a large family of crappie fisherman over the weekend on this lake. I'm friendly with everyone and wasn't in a hurry so I let the lady talk. She proceeds to tell me that they come out as a family (and sometimes more with their friends) and always limit on Crappie. She then asks me if I eat bass (which I said yes to - I keep them out of my private ponds so they don't get overstocked). She then follows that up with telling me how every trip they keep their limit of bass too and also keep as many overs as the law allows. Said so far this year they've kept a 14, 12, numerous 10s, etc...you get where this is going.
I've seen this boat/family out there all the time - and I've watched them wear out the crappie - so no doubt there is some truth to what they're saying.
But wouldn't keeping overs like this on a less than 300 acre lake be pretty detrimental with time? Especially a lake where TPWD has (or had) a lot of interest in growing fish to that class. Given the demographics I don't doubt there is more of this going on.
Is it worth getting in touch with someone and addressing my concerns? This lake is in my back yard and it seems like it fishes worse and worse. It has its days and I have caught a few nice fish this year - but nothing like before. It took a beating when all the grass was killed off - which is slowly coming back now..but to hear of overs being kept to that level makes me wonder...Obviously I figured some were...but not on this level.
I highly doubt they'd do it, but I'd love to see TPWD make this lake catch and release only for LMB...at least for a few years...or at least bump up the slot a few inches...All it would affect is the meat haulers...like I said - no tournament stops on this lake that I've seen in years.
Last edited by CBoone; 12/04/17 04:45 PM.
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Re: Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
[Re: CBoone]
#12526482
12/04/17 06:31 PM
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,377
TBassYates
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 7,377 |
It never hurts to get in touch with them. One time many years ago I had an idea regarding Lake Fork during the spawn of the year that I brought up to TPWD regarding using buoys or some way to protect some well know small pockets and coves from anglers during a few month period of the spawn. My idea was having some area's where fish would not be pressured and harassed so they could do their thing in peace and my thinking was that it would the spawn. I figured a few places at different places all over the lake would make a difference. I then received a really long detailed response that wasn't just someone saying "No, we don't have the money and resources to deal with that" but rather a really detailed and scientific report that actually gave me an answer that not only made me realize that those extreme's were not necessary but also made me feel totally better about the natural spawn on Fork and other lakes. I was blown away about the time they spent on just my suggestion but then again I shared it with a lot of my buddies at the time.
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Re: Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
[Re: CBoone]
#12526484
12/04/17 06:32 PM
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Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,981
Chris G
Extreme Angler
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Extreme Angler
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,981 |
My experience is they will only look at changing it, or anything for that matter, after they have done a survey and the results suggest they make the change. Do they survey this lake? If so, it will be posted on the TPWD website and you can read their findings. They always state what suggestions they have for everything from stocking to vegetation to limits.
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Re: Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
[Re: CBoone]
#12526718
12/04/17 09:37 PM
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Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,000
SC-001
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TFF Celebrity
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 7,000 |
If it is truly putting out those class of fish TPWD might be interested in making it C&R only, I know they did that with Purtis Creek and Raven. However if the special restrictions aren't working they will usually revert back to the standard bag limit of five 14" fish per day, they did this on aqilla when electofishing survey showed the slot regulation wasn't having he desired impact.
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Re: Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
[Re: CBoone]
#12527098
12/05/17 02:39 AM
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,188
the skipper
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Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 9,188 |
If you feel it's that bad, get in touch with them. It might get them out there to do a survey and that might get the ball rolling. Honestly though, the grass dying off is probably more of the reason. Right after it dies fishing will get great because they have no more cover so they gang up on what little it is left, usually brush piles. Then they get hammered and lack of cover lead to a down turn. It will cycle though and they will come back
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Re: Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
[Re: CBoone]
#12527104
12/05/17 02:43 AM
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,039
BMCD
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Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 5,039 |
Feelings and science do not go together. You can ask but without facts it will go nowhere.
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Re: Petitioning TPWD to change bag limits
[Re: CBoone]
#12527127
12/05/17 02:55 AM
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Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559
Jarrett Latta
TFF Guru
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TFF Guru
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 10,559 |
Worked on kurth lake. After watching guys snag giants off beds and fill their coolers they finally put in catch and release over 16". Too late but it at least the giants are somewhat safe now
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