Worse is seeing guys run jug lines then come back through in a hour or so and finding 8-10 large hybrids floating in that same area. Jugs not marked and I counted 38 jugs. Called GW they came out and pulled all of them and took a report.

All catfish over 42 inches (30lbs+\~) must be returned to water. Fish under 42 inches can be kept at a limit of 10 per day. Just my opinion......

Not to slam jug lines, I use to use them more when I was younger . But I just love to catch fish on a rod and reel and them boys are going to ruin it for my kids. Nothing wrong with keeping some smaller eaters , but that's ridiculous. I throw back almost all my fish even as much as I like eating fish , I go for the sport. Time for so new laws on the bigger cats !

+1 I don't ever really keep any catfish until Spring when I'm able to catch a bunch of 2-5lbrs,
Keeping 20-30lbr's seems excessive but some folks feed their families with fish and need a lot of fish.
TPWD probably knows what is best on each individual lake but keeping blue catfish over 30lbs is obscene,,,,, just my opinion.
Most lakes in the NE region are full of 15-20lbrs and alot will grow to be 40lbrs. Every lake should have it's own stipulations. Again just my opinion, but I think every fish for keeping should be caught by rod and reel on lakes that have regular populations and lakes with over-populations would be opened to jug-lining. No trot lines , safety issues for boaters and bankers alike. Just my 2 cents....

Salsa and Others,

Might be worthwhile to meet with the Biologist/GW's and get the info about Richland Chambers (Also Lewisville and Waco) and the Slot on Blues that was implemented 6 years ago. We don't see any of the Trotlining and not near as much Juglining as we used too. It's illegal to keep anything between 30" and 45" and you can keep one over fish. The lake is absolutely full of Blue Cats so the quantity and quality has improved dramatically in my opinion. I don't know exactly what the Surveys showed last year but I remember a conversation with a Biologist saying that it was definitely positive.

Sad to see pics like the one that started this thread!

Good Luck!

Oklahoma has a 1 over 30" and 15 combined limit seems to work pretty well

I think they need to cut the limits back some on all fish

I agree with a lot of what is being said here. Here's a post I made almost a year ago.

Re: here's your chance to speak you piece.... [Re: ChuChu1]
big10
Extreme Angler

Registered: June 12, 2006
Posts: 2339
Loc: Temple, Texas
I am Far from a biologist but here is my idea of a perfect world.

Daily bag limit of 15 fish per day, channels, blues, and flats combined. No more than 5 flats.

Minimum size limit of channels and blues 15". Minimum size on flats 21".

Implement a tag system simular to redfish at the coast. When you purchase your liscens you get 1 tag for a catfish of any species over 30". If you catch a catfish over 30" and want to keep it you must tag it. After cleaning the fish you can return the tag to TPWD and purchase another tag for $5. Each person is allowed only 2 tags per year.

This allows each person to harvest a big fish or 2 if they feel the need to but protects from the rediculous over harvesting. It also helps TPWD keep track of how many and how big of fish are being harvested. Lastly, the $5 for the additional tag goes to funds for restocking blue catfish.





Let's make this statewide.

We did it for the Alligator Gar, now it's time to do it for the Flatheads and Blues!

Maybe in your part of the state but down here in southern Oklahoma. I guarantee 90% Of the cat anglers that I encounter have no idea of that reg and will have a boat load of fish over 30". Also they don't give 2 $&!+$ about it when you try to inform them. And there's no game warden down here in this area. Well there is but do not patrol at all.

I agree it's ridiculous to harvest that many large fish. Where do I sign?

This picture is getting me all fired up over here and would think that it would result in a similar tidal wave of emotions if shared with the right people in Texas Parks and Wildlife. I suggest sharing the picture with TP&W as prime example of why they need to limit the # of big fish harvested on certain bodies of water

I'll sign the petition.

I dont get on the forum much anymore but post like this are what make me get on to add my $.02.

I would like to see slot limits put on blues and yellas. My thoughts are 15 fish per person per day combined with a limit of 5 yellas. Anything 30"-45" you are allowed to keep one with the same type of tag system that redfish use. Anything over 45" has to be released.

Why do people need to keep several fish 20+ pounds. Any half $$$ decent catfisherman should be able to go to tawakoni to catch a limit of good size eaters for several days to fill the freezer.