Yep up north they still have fishing seasons.

Guessing the Indian Law part is what protects bedding bass during spawn. This is at Havasu in Claifornia apparently.

What on earth is indian law? Catching spawning fish is just fine as long as you release them right away. I can see tournaments where the fish isn't released immediately and dragged miles down lake harming things though.

Which is obviously a lot of what fishing happens... people fishing for tournaments and for keepers. Most sport fishermen don't harass bedding bass as much as tournament anglers and people looking for big keepers I'd reckon.

I don't personally but fishing in a big tourney during spawn, you pretty well have to in order to be competitive.

I wouldn't want to be in the tournament with enough anglers to fully affect a spawn by fishing for bedding bass. What would it take, 30-40,000 anglers on a lake the size of Fork each taking a limit of 5 bass off the beds at the same time?

They do not hold bass tournaments up north when the bass are out of season and the spawn is in the off season I do believe. correct me if I am wrong

all that would do is delay the spawn.. all of the spawning females that survived the stress of the boat ride would eventually make it back to the same exact spot and would spawn on the next full moon. And thank heaven for the slot which protects most of them.

you would think that the northern and northeastern states would take a clue from TPWD and other southern states but they have their heads stuck up their azzs so far they cannot think.

Change the B in bass to an L and it only applies to Scotland

Some species of fish are protected during the spawn or other vulnerable times.

For instance Flounder season.

Many of the ocean fish see these protections in place. Look at the Cod season they closed for 6 months up North East. Population was on such a decline.

I want to say King Salmon is also protect in some waters.

Haha I saw that. Is this some sort of regulation or more of a suggestion?

You just have to ask yourself if you think fishing the spawn has any positive effect of the fish/fishery (which I am sure is a resounding no) or if it has any negative effects if it is truly worth it. The idea in a tournament is to bring in the biggest fish... the idea of a successful spawn for better fishery is the biggest fish get to reproduce uninterrupted and in the best conditions, have the most fry successfully hatch and grow to maturity.

Look how they treat a SAL, then think about how your average tournament fish gets handled by Joe Blow... you really think those fish aren't being effected negatively by the circumstances? I have a very hard time assuming my actions have no impact on the wildlife I am interacting with. Maybe I'm completely wrong, but I know for damn sure I am not screwing anything up in nature by not catching them. I couldn't say the same thing with complete certainty if I was thumping bedding bass on the head for hours to get them in my livewell.

Some people just dont like sight fishing ! I think I would chance it ! Always someone trying to push something that is not law but codes or just anything to make you think you are wrong. It has to be a law to get a ticket. Crazy people !

That sign is in Lake Havasu. The people in the marina sometimes get mad when you fish in there. I've personally never had an issue there.

What are the state laws where this sign is? the Lacey act has nothing to do with spawning fish as it is read.

You are all missing Ike's point. It's wintertime bass aren't spawning!