[Ouachita]

Not trying to start any crap, but some people voted to release all for ethics. Since when is it unethical to keep a legal fish in your home state?

I don't know of any area in the USA where keeping legal fish is generally "unethical". It isn't in the minds of most people or by now fishing would be a dead sport. Some examples of ethics reasons: Ethical considerations come up among "animal rights" activist anglers and vegetarians, plus some believing fishing ought to be outlawed due to alleged cruelty to animals, though some of those don't consider C&R to be cruelty, so will go fishing. Yes, you read that right, I've encountered a number of anglers that fish believing fish don't feel pain, but have a "right" to continue living in the lake until taken out by natural causes. Some vegetarians on the religious end despise flesh-eating because they believe to deliberately kill a fish is murder (Thou shalt not kill"), but if the fish is alive when released there is no eternal harm done. If a fish dies on them they sometimes become very upset over tempting fate, give away fishing gear, and determine to simply camp and observe wildlife. It's pointless to try convincing them otherwise, those (and I imagine lots of other reasons) being a serious ethical issue with many. Perhaps the most prevalent of the ethics group believe simply it is more ethical to purchase commercial fish than to harvest wild fish. I've been occasionally offered cash to buy some fish at the supermarket saying "If you can't afford to buy it then take this.", from a lot of campers who find out I often keep some of my catch for dinner, though of course I couldn't, wouldn't, take their money. Some have turned me in to my supervisor, others complaining to their representatives about the 'unethical Park Ranger' killing innocent fish. IOW they are offended over a public servant going out to take resources for himself, rather than always protect the resource he's sworn to protect. I'd say any opinion not supported by proved science/facts is at least partly based on a set of ethics.

Anyone else with some specific ethics reasons for always releasing? 7 have voted "Other". So far the poll says 45% always release.

Jim

 

[Bassin Nate]

I release all Bass that I catch except if its for a small lake that owner asks me to keep a few of the small ones, most of the time if that is the case i take them to someone i know that will eat them.


Nate
:flag2:

 

[CaptainMo]

I will keep some panfish, walleye, and even the odd pike to eat once in a while. I release all bass for a few reasons...One being I don't think they taste very good. Secondly, they are one of the most sought after fish, and their populations could in fact be put in harms way if too many were harvested. This varies from lake to lake of course, but 90% of the casual anglers out there have no clue as to if the lake they are fishing has a strong, weak or somewhere in between bass population.
There are zealots for both sides of the discussion of course. Some think along the lines Jim just mentioned, and others think taking every fish they catch is just fine.
Personally, I will continue to put all bass and musky back in the water, and do catch and release on 99.9% of all other fish species I catch.
Morgan

 

[Ouachita]

I haven't kept up with differences between states, but here in Arkansas we have a great wildlife management program. Much science and effort goes into sampling of many game and non-game species. Significant improvements have been stacked on systems I am familiar with, using sampling models that are continually improved. For that reason it isn't necessary for any angler to have a clue whether a species he catches on any public impoundment has enough population to warrant harvest of all he catches within the limits. The only real threat to any management program is too much harvesting over limits. Our managers are quick to say there's another less threatening threat over the long term, and that is the angling community not meeting the state's harvest expectations. Management practices are dependent on a certain amount of removal of various species and size classes towards a more ideal population goal. When anglers ignore their advice they effectively become "backseat drivers" having no factual basis for selection of personal harvest goals. Those anglers are not considered viable co-managers the professional managers need out there in boats or fishing from the shore, but in fact contribute to population problems, increasing overpopulation and lack of forage to go around. Until some major negative event comes along, like LMBV that hit a decade ago, anglers obeying the regulations will not threaten the fish populations here, as long as they fish legally. Observe the limits....have faith future generations will catch big fish we pass up now because they are yet too small, actually not even hatched yet.

Before any anglers detect a major negative change, the state will have already seen a generation failure, putting correctional regulations into force, such as adding a slot limit. If all anglers obey, any population distribution problem will heal under close observation.

Our Game & Fish Commission stands to reap huge funding from possible sale of oil & gas reserves under G%F properties, further supporting a hugely successful management of wildlife resources for the benefit of future generations of sportsmen. Looking at that windfall at least one legislator is proposing reduction of license fees, like $1.50 for an annual fishing licenses.

Jim

 

[Airfishman]

One reason I catch and release is that I find it beautiful to watch a fish swim off back to it's environment to continue doing what it does. Hopefully I'm able to trick it into biting again one day.

 

[emo476]

i release practically all bass i catch. I only keep if i plan on having it for dinner. If i injure the fish or overstress it, i make it a point to keep it and consume it that night.

 

[guppycatcher]

My area is so fished by all, I throw back everything.The only way I`ll keep a bass is if it swallows the hook and its going to die from it.That goes for cats too. I just enjoy the catch ! :fishing02:

 

[stevetheteacher]

Catch and release is what I was taught; therefore, it is what I practice!!!

 

[stgfish]

I release most every one that I catch.I will only keep from some waters due to water quality on the others.Then it is maybe once a year for a fish-fry.

 

[stevetheteacher]

Not that it matters or not that I know for sure, but I think it might be illegal to keep by me. I wouldn't keep regardless though.

 

[bassman4519]

I release 100% of my fish, whether it be bass, bluegill, catfish, musky, anything. I have 1 fish I ever kept and its on my wall, a 7lb 26" Rainbow Trout that I caught during the middle of the winter 2 years ago. Ever since I started fishing 15 years ago I never have kept any fish except that one, I just enjoy the sport and I want to leave those fish there for the next guy or young kid to enjoy the sport as much as I do.

 

[iamski]

Mine are all catch and release.

 

[FIRE]

Catch and release,have done that for many years.I like seeing that bass swim off and knowing one day all anglers will one day go out and catch those fish again and biggest part of time it will be bigger and we know we are helping with getting these bass bigger.

 

[bass hawg]

My area is so fished by all, I throw back everything.The only way I`ll keep a bass is if it swallows the hook and its going to die from it.That goes for cats too. I just enjoy the catch ! :fishing02:

Thats my only reason to keep a bass,catfish are overabundant around here so I'll keep some "when" I fish for them,the only problem with catfishing is I could spend the time bassfishing.

 

[RIBass]

I release all my LMB and keep a few stripers and blues every season for friends/family.

 

[retired-psg]

I take their Pic and throw em back so they can get bigger and bigger I hope.Only thing I keep is Salmon or if my buddies mom wants some Pike to eat.

 

[iamski]

I watched a show called Reel in the Outdoors. The host was Joe Thomas and his guest was Bobby Barrack. They were fishing on the delta in Cal. Bobby hooked into a striper about 40#. After he landed it and showed it. He went to release it back. He explained about the release as not to hurt the striper. Holding and supporting til it started to fight, then he could release it. It was good to have someone take time to explain and show this on a show. Hat's off to Bobby and Joe.

 

[cmfshpro28]

I only keep what i am going to eat, i do not eat bass. I like to think of bass as a sport fish.

 

[shamoo]

I practice CPR, except trout, here in the shallow lakes of New Jersey stocked trout rarely make it through our harsh summers. Gut hooked bass will be fine if you cut the line and let the nature take its course, how do I know if a bass taken at a lb oR 2 lb wouldnt have turned out to be a 5, 6,7 lber or a state record, not just bass but any fish. Look at the Avatars if people took these fish at an early age what would they be holding? If we want to eat fish the Mrs. takes her baits(coupons)to the local Shop Rite and brings home some farm grown Cats. I'm not a fish bioligist so I dont know what lake has stunted fish in them. This is only my opinion, I condemn no-one for their opinion. One more thing I think about when people take fish, look at whats happening on the Salty Side, its scarey. Less and Less fishys.

 

[jea51702]

Catch and release not catch and grease