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02-23-12, 07:27 PM | #1 |
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Very interesting email from my counties Fisheries biologist (Fishing seasons)!
I recently emailed our local fisheries biologist about fishing season... He had some interesting things to say about the fishing seasons and why we have them. Here's what I had to say:
Ever since moving to Wisconsin (Shawano County), one or the biggest things that has bugged me is the fact that there are fishing seasons in place for all bass species. I just don't see a purpose for them? I can understand having a no harvest season for them during the spawn, but closing fishing for them altogether seems pointless to me. I fallow the laws none-the-less, but knowing "why" would sure make them easier to fallow! I fish the Upper and Lower Red Lakes of Gresham, and the fishing is well worth waiting for. Does having a closed season pay dividends to the fish as a species? I'm really interested in the science behind it as well. Thanks for any information! His reply: Hi, Thanks for sharing your thoughts. You bring up some interesting issues regarding Wisconsin fishing seasons. I believe their are a combination of factors behind the current statewide season that involve social factors as well as science but I think one of the driving factors is tradition. Many years ago when the seasons were established I believe the thought process was to give the fish a break and many citizens liked having a traditional opening day. Some of the science was to protect spawning fish like walleye, northern pike, and musky. I think over time the seasons just became entrenched as part of the fishing culture in our state. However, DNR has liberalized fishing seasons on many waters of the state (e.g. Winnebago System) but we've also established seasons for some fish that are particularly vulnerable during spawning time (e.g. bass, northern pike, walleye) on most inland water bodies. Their is some discussion among biologists that perhaps we could have year around fishing statewide as long as we have proper harvest limits in place (e.g. no harvest or extremely limited during spawning times for certain fish). However, this is also assuming that we have adequate enforcement of the regulations to coincide with the liberalized seasons. Your questions came up at an interesting time since DNR is in the process of reviewing our entire regulatory structure as it pertains to seasons, refuges, bag and size limits. We are looking at ways to create more angling opportunities as well as simplifying regulations. You probably won't see major changes overnight due to changes in the legislative process for changing fishing/hunting regulations but we are working towards improving the current structure. Some of our questions pertaining to these issues will be asked as advisory questions at the next Spring Conservation Congress Meetings (held every April in each county) where all rule changes are proposed to the public. I encourage you to participate in that process. Otherwise, stay tuned you will probably see more on this over the coming months..... Thanks for your input. Al Niebur Fisheries Biologist - I find it interesting that the driving reason for a season, is the fishing culture that has developed over the years, rather then having a practical benefit for the species. I plan on attending the Conservation Congress Meeting to see what they have to say, and to see what I have to say. Thoughts?
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02-23-12, 08:16 PM | #2 |
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Thanks Bassboss for the share.
We had a thread awhile back, I may have even started it? Anyway, the real stupidity comes from the opener is usually weeks before water temps even get warm enough to spawn. (bass not pike) So the season has absolutely NO bearing on the actual spawn itself. Bring that up at the meeting. It is 100% TRADITION driven....The DNRs traditions, not the citizens. Thanks again Sam
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02-23-12, 08:27 PM | #3 |
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I'm glad that your biologist is responsive and I'm glad he didn't try to snow you with "facts" that really are opinions. We have seasons here in New York; we still do, but it wasn't until five years ago that it became legal to fish for bass on a catch-and-release basis during closed season.
For what it's worth, to the best of my knowledge, only about a half-dozen states have closed seasons.
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02-23-12, 11:19 PM | #4 | ||
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02-24-12, 07:40 AM | #5 |
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I'm impressed that you recieved an honest and detailed letter in return. I'm also soooo glad we don't have a closed season here in Indiana!
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02-24-12, 08:56 AM | #6 |
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I'm with Keith, thank God we don't have a closed season, or I would go nuts.... We do have a closed season on Lake Erie for LM and SM but you can still catch and relase, which is what we do anyhow, so it is not really a closed season for me.
Ryan
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02-24-12, 09:17 AM | #7 | |
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02-24-12, 09:32 AM | #8 |
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I think closed seasons probably save the states a lot of time and money as far as enforcement.
They also probably benefit walleye and pike quite a bit, since those seasons usually open after the fish have spawned. Walleye can be easy pickings when they're thrashing around like lunatics in 6 inches of water. The timing of the bass seasons are a little strange though, since they seem to open up before or during the spawn. Don't worry though, I make it my duty to head to MN on opening weekend every year to personally assess the condition of the bass population. After 2 weeks I check my "thumb gauge" to make a conclusion. |
02-24-12, 10:47 AM | #9 |
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Glad you guys are finding this as interesting as I did.
That would well here, but the season for pike is the same for bass. A float n fly with a little crappie jig catches a couple bass here and there though.
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02-24-12, 12:04 PM | #10 |
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I never felt right about doing that, so if I fish pike before bass season is open, I throw "traditional" pike lures like daredevils or syclops, or else a sucker minnow under a bobber.
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02-24-12, 12:05 PM | #11 | |
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02-24-12, 12:51 PM | #12 |
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02-24-12, 09:03 PM | #13 | |
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02-25-12, 02:55 PM | #14 | |
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Ummmm....yeah.....and people who fish from shore and buy licenses enjoy free fishing weekend too
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02-29-12, 03:18 PM | #15 |
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For thse of you who don't have seasons, heres Wi.
This is for Bass. Northern Zone - catch and release First Saturday in May through the Friday preceding the third Saturday in June Northern Zone - harvest Third Saturday in June through the first Sunday in March of the following year Southern Zone - harvest First Saturday in May through the first Sunday in March of the following year. So bass are only closed after the First Sunday in March till the first Sat. in May.
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02-29-12, 07:07 PM | #16 |
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In Michigan, for almost all waters, Bass season runs from Saturday before Memorial Day-December 31st.
Immediate catch n release runs from last Saturday in April till regular season opener.
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02-29-12, 09:09 PM | #17 |
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Wisconsin-Michigan boundary waters - harvest
Third Saturday in June through November 30
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02-29-12, 09:10 PM | #18 |
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We have one boundary water, and my kayak can't handle it too well
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02-29-12, 09:11 PM | #19 |
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On a side note....give me enough Leinenkugels and I'll paddle out a little further!
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