Conservation (IMPORTANT)

[ESipes_89]

Let's talk conservation for a minute. I'd like to hear each and every one of your stories and opinions on the subject.

I have several local lakes and ponds that are over-crowded with bass and other fish and several that are the exact opposite. In my home state of Oklahoma there is a state wide limit of 6 bass per person and no size limit. This limit is just not specific enough. This should change for different lakes and ponds (although, it does in some state and local parks) whether it be a stocked farm pond, large lake, or river.

IMO, each body of water should be checked anually or semi-anually for population numbers and given a limit of it's own. There are so many areas that are way over fished and have small bass numbers but, about the same number of areas with over-crowding.

The only solution I see to this is to give each body of water it's own posted limit. In scarcely populated areas give a limit of 2 bass per person with a size limit from 12-16". In these waters the larger bass need to spawn and reproduce while the survival rate of smaller bass needs to be taken into consideration as well. Small bass (less than 12") have a very low survivabilty rates due to predetors such as bigger fish, birds, ect. They don't need us to make that any worse.

In average populated areas, the limit should be 6 (mabye as high as 8) bass per person from 12-21" with only one of which can be over 21". Same reasons as the scarcely populated areas but, in this case the population needs to be maintained.

In over populated areas, (You know the ones, that pond you really love to fish because you catch bass so frequently, but they all seem to be 12-14" or less. Yeah that one.) there should be a limit of 12 bass under 21", only one of which can be over 21". In these areas, competition for food is very hard on the fish and they can rarely grow to more than a few pounds during they're entire life. Small bass can even starve to death. IMO, these areas are the greatest problem. Bait fish and other food source populations dwindle as the bass population grows. Therefore, bass and other dominant fish species can only eat insects and other things that come into the area by land. Larger limits may need to be posted but, never take more than one fish out of these areas more than 21".

Just try to remember these guidelines the next time your out fishing and do what you can, law permiting, to help your local water's ecosystem. If you do just that and help spread the word, your bass will grow larger and healthier for the next generation of anglers.

With all bodies of water, never leave your garbage such as used fishing line and food containers behind. Fish and other animals can be trapped or entangled in it. Plus, land owners really don't appreciate that special little gift you leave for them to pick up. It helps to bring a garbage bag for your's and other people's trash that's been thrown on the bank.

If anyone has any opinions or anything else to ad please do so.

Also, remember that this doesn't just apply to bass. Practice conservation with all fish and wildlife.

-Eric

Just doing my part while trying not to sound like a hippie eco-nut.