If you could change/create one Fishing reg/law, what would it be?

Well, the title of the thread says it all really. (also posted a hunting version in that group)
The only thing i would ask is that we steer clear of the First Nations thing. We don't need another one of those debates.

So, If you could change or create any regulation or law regarding fishing in ontario what would it be?
it could be slot sizes, equipment restrictions, whatever...

i have many on my mind, but i'll save them for later, more interested in everyone else's takes.

I'd like to be able to catch baitfish with a cast net though.
And the regulation regarding "immediately" returning a fish to the water is a little crazy, it needs to be re-worded to allow for taking a picture with a fish even if it was accidentally caught out of season, or it's outside the slot size etc... because currently all photos are basically illegal unless it's a fish you're keeping to eat.

Only allowed 1 rod for shore fishing..complete bs

Those convicted of poaching would face a minimum 10 year fishing ban and then pay the appropriate fine per number of fish poached. Second, third conviction, minimum 10K fine and loose everything associated with your poaching, boat, rods, etc.

Minimum of 50% public input and representation when making future regulations and resource management decisions. By public I mean those dedicated to fishing via recognized clubs and management groups.

Raise all fines from littering to the worst, 10x if not more and a law directing every penny of said fines go directly to the MNRs budget. Let those who use and abuse the resources help pay for their upkeep, preservation and conservation.

One of my pet peeves is that of slot size for lake Trout! There are probably more fish wasted that way than ever taken home? Get rid of it!

I also would like to see two lines legal for soft water fishing. Do away with slots on lakers and walleye. Either the lake has ample or reduce the limits/shorten the season

2 lines from shore would be nice sometimes I cant decide if I want to try for panfish or larger species it would be nice to be able to do both from shore.
As I do not own a boat it would be more fair to allow those without the priviledge of a boat to maximize their chances as boaters can go anywhere they want and run multiple lines. By only allowing 1 line from shore your basically shooting an already crippled shore fisherman in the leg. Guess I gotta save for a boat to reap the benefits of the laws

No more slots on nipissing and bump the poss limit back to 4

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

As I do not own a boat it would be more fair to allow those without the priviledge of a boat to maximize their chances as boaters can go anywhere they want and run multiple lines.

---

Where are you getting this from.
Definitely far from true.
2 lines are only allowed on parts of the Great Lakes.
Some places you have to be trolling & others it is not required.
Far from a 2 lines from a boat anywhere they want.

Ya the area im at boaters are allowed 2 lines unless I am misinformed (detroit river st clair erie?) I thought you were allowed 2 rods but I do not claim myself to be a master of the fishing arts and you may very well be right I may be mistaken...ill have to look into it if I ever get a boat.

2 lines would be nice...I dont see the issue as long as you stay under the catch limit

Good points I agree ^^^

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Gadwall

Possession limits:
It does not seem fair to have a possession limit of one daily limit when the fishing for many species may only be good for a short portion of the year.

---

Don't agree! A good angler or group of anglers can easily clean out a lake I've seen it with lakes that 'get discovered', guys go in every day and in one season that lake is done. There is no control what they do with the fish they catch so filling the freezer argument doesn't fly either. Many of these fish are given away friends to for favors so that essentially, the practice becomes commercial.
The other side of the coin is that it makes anglers look greedy and that is an image sportsmen don't need.

I would like a limit of 2 walleye. No slot but only one of the two can be over 18 inchs. This would work for most of Ontario's in land lakes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flytyermiller

Well, the title of the thread says it all really. (also posted a hunting version in that group)
The only thing i would ask is that we steer clear of the First Nations thing. We don't need another one of those debates.

So, If you could change or create any regulation or law regarding fishing in ontario what would it be?
it could be slot sizes, equipment restrictions, whatever...

i have many on my mind, but i'll save them for later, more interested in everyone else's takes.

I'd like to be able to catch baitfish with a cast net though.
And the regulation regarding "immediately" returning a fish to the water is a little crazy, it needs to be re-worded to allow for taking a picture with a fish even if it was accidentally caught out of season, or it's outside the slot size etc... because currently all photos are basically illegal unless it's a fish you're keeping to eat.

---

I own a cast net.
I'd like to see limits enforced so that once you catch your limit you are done fishing for that species for the day. If the limit is five once you catch five you stop.
I'd like to see the minimum fine for littering set at $10,000. I've approached government about this in the past and been told too many people would be upset. I say too bad.

I would like to see the regs allow for more aggressive harvest of certain species in areas where they are expanding their non-natural range to the detriment of native species. We have this in northern Ontario with a year-round bass season; we should do the same thing, for example, for bass and pike in the Haliburton/Algonquin highlands. Seems silly that people going out in the early spring for lake brookies have to release any pike and bass they catch, in lakes where the pike/bass are invasive and destroying the brookie fishery. Would probably have to be done as a bunch of "additional fishing opportunities" listed by township or individual lake.

In terms of things that have already been said, I agree with Bushmoose and patvetzal about slot sizes. I would be fine with lower walleye limits, or shorter lake trout seasons in spots where they need extra protection, in exchange for being able to keep a badly-hooked fish -- or the only fish caught on a tough day -- regardless of its size.

Ban the roe harvest and using natural roe as bait.

Ban salmon/trout fishing during the spawn. Easy one.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Fisherman

Those convicted of poaching would face a minimum 10 year fishing ban and then pay the appropriate fine per number of fish poached. Second, third conviction, minimum 10K fine and loose everything associated with your poaching, boat, rods, etc.

---

Hopefully you don't forget your wallet with your license at home and get caught with a walleye for dinner in a cooler then...! Technically you're poaching. Would suck to be banned from your pastime for 10 years for an oversight.

But I agree in principle.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

Guess I gotta save for a boat to reap the benefits of the laws

---

... Or a kayak

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sakimano

Hopefully you don't forget your wallet with your license at home and get caught with a walleye for dinner in a cooler then...! Technically you're poaching. Would suck to be banned from your pastime for 10 years for an oversight.

But I agree in principle.

---

I've been pulled over before without my wallet and had 24 or 48 hours or something to produce my drivers licence at the police station. Which I did. Does anyone know if the same grace is given for a fishing licence?

Officer's discretion with your drivers license.

My point was more that if we have really severe punishments for first time offenders, people can REALLY get screwed. Just as some cops will instantly give you a ticket for not having proof of license, insurance, ownership others will give you some slack. I'm sure the same would apply to a MNR officer. Imagine forgetting your license on the blue moon you actually see an MNR officer? And on top of that, he's having a day and doesn't feel like cutting any slack?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mbhunter

I've been pulled over before without my wallet and had 24 or 48 hours or something to produce my drivers licence at the police station. Which I did. Does anyone know if the same grace is given for a fishing licence?

---

I have had this happen before while fishing up north at white lake. I had my print off for temp licence but not my new card ( it hadn't come yet ). The CO gave me a ticket for not producing a licence. My fault so not need to fight it. A police officer knows if your licence is current based on your info he can pull it up on the computer, so they know if your telling the truth and can give you a bit of a break.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by sakimano

... Or a kayak

---

Good point I never thought about it like that...im planning on getting a canoe this year good thinkin

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

Good point I never thought about it like that...im planning on getting a canoe this year good thinkin

---

I bought a hobie fishing kayak last year with the pedal drive system. It's amazing for fishing. Effortless and powerful, and of course hands free. Perfect for fishing.

https://youtu.be/D0rvFdLdplA

https://youtu.be/lD6OQhCeXqs

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by cantcatchacold

I have had this happen before while fishing up north at white lake. I had my print off for temp licence but not my new card ( it hadn't come yet ). The CO gave me a ticket for not producing a licence. My fault so not need to fight it. A police officer knows if your licence is current based on your info he can pull it up on the computer, so they know if your telling the truth and can give you a bit of a break.

---

The MNRF knows what licences you have as well.. but the law is you must keep licence on you on you at all times... Here is one even better if you are handi cap it clearly states on your permit that you can not copy it , but the mnrf clearly states that you must have your handi cap permit with you at the time of fishing as you don't need to buy a licence .. the officer has told me to copy it with a scanner .. 5000 dollar fine for scanning it if caught ..

I wonder if taking a clear photo of it on your phone would suffice, especially if you need the permit for the spot you're parked in while fishing

In the act of bowfishing would like to see the words "discharge of a bow " changed " to casting of a line " and the half hour before sunrise and half hour after sunset banns lifted ....after all it is fishing not hunting . Any where you legally can carry a fishing pole I should be able to carry my bow while fishing ...... and why the season for course fish ?
Glen

[QUOTE=GrizzlyAdams
As I do not own a boat it would be more fair to allow those without the priviledge of a boat to maximize their chances as boaters can go anywhere they want and run multiple lines.

I suggest you read the regs for all zones in regards to multiple rods

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

Ya the area im at boaters are allowed 2 lines unless I am misinformed (detroit river st clair erie?) I thought you were allowed 2 rods but I do not claim myself to be a master of the fishing arts and you may very well be right I may be mistaken...ill have to look into it if I ever get a boat.

2 lines would be nice...I dont see the issue as long as you stay under the catch limit

---

Lake St Clair & Erie yes, Detroit river NO

...Regardless 2 rods for boats and shore would be a nice option to have

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by stillfisher

I own a cast net.
I'd like to see limits enforced so that once you catch your limit you are done fishing for that species for the day. If the limit is five once you catch five you stop.
I'd like to see the minimum fine for littering set at $10,000. I've approached government about this in the past and been told too many people would be upset. I say too bad.

---

I own cast nets too, and i weave my own.

but there is no legal use for them in Ontario for fish or baitfish. if you've used that cast net in ontario, you were breaking the law.

The only exception being perhaps, for Smelt if you can convince the CO that a cast net qualifies as a Seine somehow.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by G Skinner

In the act of bowfishing would like to see the words "discharge of a bow " changed " to casting of a line " and the half hour before sunrise and half hour after sunset banns lifted ....after all it is fishing not hunting . Any where you legally can carry a fishing pole I should be able to carry my bow while fishing ...... and why the season for course fish ?
Glen

---

The reason for this, like many laws, is to aid COs during enforcement. If they changed the rules as you proposed, any deer poacher could walk around at night with a bow with a reel on it, and just hunt near water claiming to be a fisherman. Right now, with the current regs, if you're walking around with a bow at night, certain conclusions can be jumped to easily by any officer in the field that he can act on safely and quickly.

No drinking in public charge while fishing, hunting and driving a vehicle, that's all.....

Totally on board with everyone asking for two+ rods from shore. The carp fishery in ontario is something we should promote, and judging by the setups used in europe, i'd say we could improve the way we approach shore fishing and try to get people into carp fishing by allowing more rods..

i understand most people here probably aren't carp fisherman, and that's not why they wanted two lines from shore, but this is just my reasoning on why i'd be for it 100%. more tourism, more fishing, more people taking carp out of our waters.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seabast

No drinking in public charge while fishing, hunting and driving a vehicle, that's all.....

---

LOL don't forget the use of legal weed.

How about a "demerit point" system listed on your outdoor car? just like driving, any infraction will be posted. mostly useful for COs, but still a good idea, perhaps even a three strike your out system for fishing violations.

there are many applications where this kind of knowledge would be extremely helpful.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flytyermiller

LOL don't forget the use of legal weed.

---

Nope, when you are stone, you are stone. When you drink you might not be drunk or even feel the alcohol.....

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seabast

Nope, when you are stone, you are stone. When you drink you might not be drunk or even feel the alcohol.....

---

well this is nonsense....you sure your not 'stone' right now?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brett_68

well this is nonsense....you sure your not 'stone' right now?

---

Dido...

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Brett_68

well this is nonsense....you sure your not 'stone' right now?

---

I can't tell anymore.....

What I meant, under two beers for example you are still good to drive and function.
With dope it's a lot more difficult to control/measure.

Not really it depends on body weight did you eat etc. I have seen people who would feel after 2 beer and I have seen people with a 12 pack in them and you would swear they were perfectly sober. The same can be said for dope.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seabast

I can't tell anymore.....

What I meant, under two beers for example you are still good to drive and function.
With dope it's a lot more difficult to control/measure.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

Not really it depends on body weight did you eat etc. I have seen people who would feel after 2 beer and I have seen people with a 12 pack in them and you would swear they were perfectly sober. The same can be said for dope.

---

That's true, so let's include dope too in the package....

Haha i was not expecting this thread to take us into beer and dope tolerances, but that's the fun of open-ended questions.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flytyermiller

The reason for this, like many laws, is to aid COs during enforcement. If they changed the rules as you proposed, any deer poacher could walk around at night with a bow with a reel on it, and just hunt near water claiming to be a fisherman. Right now, with the current regs, if you're walking around with a bow at night, certain conclusions can be jumped to easily by any officer in the field that he can act on safely and quickly.

---

The problem is not the CO s it more with OPP and Regional Police forces trying to enforce the No discharge bylaws of most communities . Are you not allowed to fish at night ? So should I be able to also as bow fishing is a legal means of taking fish .
Glen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flytyermiller

Totally on board with everyone asking for two+ rods from shore. The carp fishery in ontario is something we should promote, and judging by the setups used in europe, i'd say we could improve the way we approach shore fishing and try to get people into carp fishing by allowing more rods..

i understand most people here probably aren't carp fisherman, and that's not why they wanted two lines from shore, but this is just my reasoning on why i'd be for it 100%. more tourism, more fishing, more people taking carp out of our waters.

---

The MNRF does not and will not promote an invasive species .
Glen

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by G Skinner

The MNRF does not and will not promote an invasive species .
Glen

---

We're talking about promoting CATCHING an invasive species. More carp fishermen doesn't make for more carp, unless of course some of them go renegade and start trying to establish carp in new waters, which is illegal and unethical for any species whether native to Ontario or not.

Also I don't think common carp are legally treated like invasives the way, say, round gobies or silver carp are. Yes they're non-native but so are rainbow trout... of course you can make the argument that common carp are more harmful, but I don't think there's a difference in legal status.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by G Skinner

The MNRF does not and will not promote an invasive species .
Glen

---

Based on their definition. Rainbow/steelhead, brown trout, all the salmons except atlantic, and so on and so forth are all non-natives too. I understand the debate will begin as to what is invasive and what isn't. we don't have to get into that, but the fact is they choose arbitrarily based on financial opportunity and gain. and carp could meet that category. carp aren't native to the UK either but are big business there.
There is no reason to stock and support all of these non-natives other than financial gain from tourism and fisherman. Carp are here to stay love it or hate it, so why not reap the rewards. though it would be a good idea to change its name so it starts to distance itself from the current threat of the asian carps, much like what was done with the "patagonian toothfish" which i believe was rebranded as seabass? to get the consumer to be more into it.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by flytyermiller

much like what was done with the "patagonian toothfish" which i believe was rebranded as seabass? to get the consumer to be more into it.

---

"Chilean seabass", yes. "Seabass" by itself would mean European seabass which is of course totally unrelated. But the rebranding you speak of is I think just for purposes of the supermarket fish counter.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tweedwolfscream

"Chilean seabass", yes. "Seabass" by itself would mean European seabass which is of course totally unrelated. But the rebranding you speak of is I think just for purposes of the supermarket fish counter.

---

that's what i was looking for thanks. chilean seabass.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mark270wsm

The MNRF knows what licences you have as well.. but the law is you must keep licence on you on you at all times... Here is one even better if you are handi cap it clearly states on your permit that you can not copy it , but the mnrf clearly states that you must have your handi cap permit with you at the time of fishing as you don't need to buy a licence .. the officer has told me to copy it with a scanner .. 5000 dollar fine for scanning it if caught ..

---

My understanding of the restriction of copying a documet/ ID is that as long as it looks significantly different you're ok. For example if you take a B&W photocopy of your driver license of course it's not a forgery and just to be sure you shrink or enlarge it there's one more thing that's different form the original and therefore not an illegal reproduction. Note: double check this, I'm fairly sure but not a lawyer or LEO.

The shore lines are over crowded in way too many places already. Add a second rod per fisherman and you have a recipe for disaster. Think of the steelhead runs with two rods per fishermen. WOW that would be better than UFC. One rod is just fine. If you can't catch them with one, two won't help.

muddler

True, but 2 lines could be helpful and not a crowding problem among folks who still-fish for cats and various coarse fish on pond shores. You'd probably have to make a "one line only when shore fishing" exception for all popular rivers especially those with salmonid runs.

Anyway, new one to add... since dogs are allowed for hunting for certain species/areas, why not for fishing?
http://imgur.com/TnmlzlU

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muddler

The shore lines are over crowded in way too many places already. Add a second rod per fisherman and you have a recipe for disaster. Think of the steelhead runs with two rods per fishermen. WOW that would be better than UFC. One rod is just fine. If you can't catch them with one, two won't help.

muddler

---

Im not one to join in on already overcrowded areas I go out to relax in remote spots and 2 rods would be nice for different species as I already mentioned. Why shouldnt I be able to fish for crappie or perch and also cast for bass or pike etc....

I'd like to see waaaay more catch and release only areas on our streams. Not that many trout left in the south.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by rfb

I'd like to see waaaay more catch and release only areas on our streams. Not that many trout left in the south.

Sent from my E6653 using Tapatalk

---

Truer and truer everyday

what about mandatory ice picks while ice fishing??? certainly a good idea for under 18.

I wouldn't mind an early catch and release season on bass from ice out till June 1st then close till July 1st. I would like to see my Ontario licence valid on bordering waters like Erie, Ontario, detriot River etc... When it comes to walleye, they seem to be the highest targeted species and the most harvested. I'd like to see more slot limits and lower possession limits including a trophy size that must be released. My cottage lake in the parry sound area at one time was one of the best walleye lakes in Ontario, and clearly is no longer due to over harvesting and I know there are many lakes in same situation.

Just my wish list

joe

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by G Skinner

The problem is not the CO s it more with OPP and Regional Police forces trying to enforce the No discharge bylaws of most communities . Are you not allowed to fish at night ? So should I be able to also as bow fishing is a legal means of taking fish .
Glen

---

I think the ban on bows at night might be to save human lives.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by tweedwolfscream

True, but 2 lines could be helpful and not a crowding problem among folks who still-fish for cats and various coarse fish on pond shores. You'd probably have to make a "one line only when shore fishing" exception for all popular rivers especially those with salmonid runs.

Anyway, new one to add... since dogs are allowed for hunting for certain species/areas, why not for fishing?
http://imgur.com/TnmlzlU

---

Funny! I saw a guy who stopped his big Newfoundland dog from pulling salmon out of the creek because he was afraid the dog would be hurt by all the hooks the snaggers leave in the salmon.

The more I think about using two rods from shore the more I like it. It would not change limits or slot sizes.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by muddler

If you can't catch them with one, two won't help.

---

BAHHAHAHAHA that's amazing

I would LOVE to see a bait ban on most waters and a C&R policy on all steelhead/browns out of the lake.
I'll throw in a province-wide barbless vote as well

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Habs

BAHHAHAHAHA that's amazing

I would LOVE to see a C&R policy on all steelhead/browns out of the lake.

---

What lake are you talking about Habs?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TroutSlayer

What lake are you talking about Habs?

---

Sorry.. a little unclear there TS, I was referring to migratory rainbows and browns that have exited the Great Lakes. The harvesting for roe alone is gross to see..... perhaps if there was a mandatory C&R anglers would become better spoon fishermen :)

there will never be a ban for c/r they been trying it for a year in port hope for salmon with no help from any organization .. the towns next step is to not allow anyone to fish on there property if things don't cool down this summer ... they tried to get help but no one helped so next is no fishing

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Habs

BAHHAHAHAHA that's amazing

I would LOVE to see a bait ban on most waters and a C&R policy on all steelhead/browns out of the lake.
I'll throw in a province-wide barbless vote as well

---

I'd like to see a ban on C/R as they have started implementing in Europe - Sweden and Germany have already done this.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

I'd like to see a ban on C/R as they have started implementing in Europe - Sweden and Germany have already done this.

---

so basically 2 AND DONE for trout . not like catch your 2 and keep fishing and releasing all day

I actually meant mandatory C&R. No possession. No bait. Barbless. No roe in the creeks would reduce the "fishing and releasing all day" by a good margin to say the least

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Bushmoose

One of my pet peeves is that of slot size for lake Trout! There are probably more fish wasted that way than ever taken home? Get rid of it!

---

The slot size for lakers needs to change. I agree this rule is not helping the fishery.

I do a lot of Lake Trout fishing spring and summer and agree the slot size for Lakers must change. Have caught so many in the summer in the slot range and put them back only to see them float back up and die. In other words it takes at times to let go four or five Lake Trout and have some of them die to keep one for supper. In the spring time not as bad as the water temp is cold enough for them to survive. I stopped summer fishing for Lake Trout as it really upsets me to see so many fish going to waist

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mark270wsm

so basically 2 AND DONE for trout . not like catch your 2 and keep fishing and releasing all day

---

Yes - it's an animal rights thing. C/R amounts to pointless torturing of fish. If you want to catch/kill/eat a fish, that's okay. But catching and releasing fish after fish is nothing short of torture for entertainment.

Switzerland, not Sweden, and Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_and_release

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Yes - it's an animal rights thing. C/R amounts to pointless torturing of fish. If you want to catch/kill/eat a fish, that's okay. But catching and releasing fish after fish is nothing short of torture for entertainment.

Switzerland, not Sweden, and Germany.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Catch_and_release

---

Exactly.

I catch to eat not release...when everyone is out for muskie im going for perch...could care less about the big one if I cant eat it..so fully agree C&R is pointless from my perspective...also not in favour of catch and release of deer ;) I hunt to eat not for trophies

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

I catch to eat not release...when everyone is out for muskie im going for perch...could care less about the big one if I cant eat it..so fully agree C&R is pointless from my perspective...also not in favour of catch and release of deer ;) I hunt to eat not for trophies

---

I fully disagree, catch and release is very important. And I'm teaching my child that our natural resources are something we need to cherish because when they are gone they are gone. Not saying we can't enjoy what we catch from time to time, but filling my freezer is unethical and selfish. Don't want to offend anyone here but as outdoor sportsmen we need to have a better attitude and not take for granted what this wonderful country has to offer. Catch and release is my way of contributing. Respect is a powerful thing.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by One_Tracc_Mind

I fully disagree, catch and release is very important. And I'm teaching my child that our natural resources are something we need to cherish because when they are gone they are gone. Not saying we can't enjoy what we catch from time to time, but filling my freezer is unethical and selfish. Don't want to offend anyone here but as outdoor sportsmen we need to have a better attitude and not take for granted what this wonderful country has to offer. Catch and release is my way of contributing. Respect is a powerful thing.

---

I've gone back to read all posts in this thread and can find nothing about anyone "filling their freezer". I don't know how anyone could fill freezers with existing possession limits even if they were inclined to. I agree with most here that C&R is very bad for certain species of fish.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Yes - it's an animal rights thing. C/R amounts to pointless torturing of fish. If you want to catch/kill/eat a fish, that's okay. But catching and releasing fish after fish is nothing short of torture for entertainment.

---

Copied and pasted from PETA.com? Those poor little sea kittens.....

I'm not going to tell you that C&R is the best thing for a fishery but I believe that it's an important part. If I go out and my first laker through the ice is a 32"er I'm going to release it. I see no point in being legally forced to bring home a fish that my wife or any future kids can't eat. So I'm going to release that fish and keep trying for something that I want to eat, the same way I'm going to release the pike, rockbass, bass etc. that I catch before finally landing the walleye I'm looking to put in the pan. If enjoying that process makes me a sea kitten torturing sadist in your eyes, so be it. At least I'm not one of those evil guys chasing deer through the woods with a pack of dogs ;) :rolleyes:

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by TroutSlayer

I've gone back to read all posts in this thread and can find nothing about anyone "filling their freezer". I don't know how anyone could fill freezers with existing possession limits even if they were inclined to. I agree with most here that C&R is very bad for certain species of fish.

---

You see TS, it's like so many other "discussions" that go on here: both parties must first take extreme sides of an issue to ensure that we never find common ground.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by Rugger

You see TS, it's like so many other "discussions" that go on here: both parties must first take extreme sides of an issue to ensure that we never find common ground.

---

I see that Rugger.

Catching 3 or 4 for a meal is filling a freezer?? When I catch the few I need for a meal I am done fishing. Are you done your C/R after 3 or 4??

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by One_Tracc_Mind

I fully disagree, catch and release is very important. And I'm teaching my child that our natural resources are something we need to cherish because when they are gone they are gone. Not saying we can't enjoy what we catch from time to time, but filling my freezer is unethical and selfish. Don't want to offend anyone here but as outdoor sportsmen we need to have a better attitude and not take for granted what this wonderful country has to offer. Catch and release is my way of contributing. Respect is a powerful thing.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

Catching 3 or 4 for a meal is filling a freezer?? When I catch the few I need for a meal I am done fishing. Are you done your C/R after 3 or 4??

---

Exactly! :)

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

Catching 3 or 4 for a meal is filling a freezer?? When I catch the few I need for a meal I am done fishing. Are you done your C/R after 3 or 4??

---

No I keep fishing. But I do fish a lot tho, so if a kept 3-4 for a meal everytime I went fishing I would have lots of fish. Don't mind a fry every now and then but where would all those fish filets go? Where would I store them so they wouldn't go bad and where I wouldn't be wasting those fish? Then I would go out fishing again, cause I like to fish so I keep 3-4 more. Then I stop fishing... But I really like to fish and have lots of time off and I hear the fish are biting so I gas up the truck and the boat and go fishing so I keep 3 or 4 then by 8:30am I head in. But I don't want more fish cause I kept 3-4 the other day... I guess I'm done fishing... But I really like to fish tho. This is a tough one��

Or you be you and I be me. Your saying catch and release is bad I'm saying it's good.

I guarentee you kill more fish in a season then I do. I only fish for the occasional meal.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by One_Tracc_Mind

No I keep fishing. But I do fish a lot tho, so if a kept 3-4 for a meal everytime I went fishing I would have lots of fish. Don't mind a fry every know and then but where would all those fish filets go? Where would I store them so they wouldn't go bad and where I wouldn't be wasting those fish? Then I would go out fishing again, cause I like to fish so I keep 3-4 more. Then I stop fishing... But I really like to fish and have lots of time off and I hear the fish are biting so I gas up the truck and the boat and go fishing so I keep 3 or 4 then by 8:30am I head in. But I don't want more fish cause I kept 3-4 the other day... I guess I'm done fishing... But I really like to fish tho. This is a tough one��

Or you be you and I be me. Your saying catch and release is bad I'm saying it's good.

---

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by greatwhite

I guarentee you kill more fish in a season then I do. I only fish for the occasional meal.

---

i also guaranteed my wife I wouldn't spend a lot of money on my last boat...and guaranteed I wouldn't buy anymore... Oops

There is a difference between c&r only and keeping fish for food....like I previously stated while others target muskie for c&r I target fish I can keep. If I limit out on perch thats a good day and after 50 fish im probably out of minnows as well. Simply put some people target species for C&R and others target for food and enjoyment of angling.
Walleye for example alot of people practice C&R with the bigger ones which is obviously better for the environment and I would assume most walleye fishermen are keeping the eaters. Strictly fishing to release fish like muskie to me does not make much sense hence why I dont target them.

Fishing is an enjoyable pastime like hunting but I make sure I use it to my benefit (ie eating protein) and not just strictly for personal enjoyment. If you strictly C&R and never keep fish than thats fine just dont expect to come fishing with me we eat what we catch size and species permitted.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by mark270wsm

so basically 2 AND DONE for trout . not like catch your 2 and keep fishing and releasing all day

---

That rule is already in place, if you keep your limit of one specie, you can't not target it anymore.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

I catch to eat not release...when everyone is out for muskie im going for perch...could care less about the big one if I cant eat it..so fully agree C&R is pointless from my perspective...also not in favour of catch and release of deer ;) I hunt to eat not for trophies

---

^^^^^ That's pretty much it, beside the big ones that don't taste that great, everything else goes in the pan or freezer.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by One_Tracc_Mind

I fully disagree, catch and release is very important. And I'm teaching my child that our natural resources are something we need to cherish because when they are gone they are gone. Not saying we can't enjoy what we catch from time to time, but filling my freezer is unethical and selfish. Don't want to offend anyone here but as outdoor sportsmen we need to have a better attitude and not take for granted what this wonderful country has to offer. Catch and release is my way of contributing. Respect is a powerful thing.

---

The best contribution you could do, it's not to bother them at all!
I really don't care what you do, to each his own, but you do realize that C&R kill fish that you won't be eating, so you are wasting our resource in some way. Right?

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by One_Tracc_Mind

I fully disagree, catch and release is very important. And I'm teaching my child that our natural resources are something we need to cherish because when they are gone they are gone. Not saying we can't enjoy what we catch from time to time, but filling my freezer is unethical and selfish. Don't want to offend anyone here but as outdoor sportsmen we need to have a better attitude and not take for granted what this wonderful country has to offer. Catch and release is my way of contributing. Respect is a powerful thing.

---

Birdwatching would equal the same environmental exposure for a child to teach about our wildlife and no need to stick sharp object in them to show ur kid...just sayin. Teach him how to catch clean and cook a fish and then he'll be a man one day

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by seabast

The best contribution you could do, it's not to bother them at all!
I really don't care what you do, to each his own, but you do realize that C&R kill fish that you won't be eating, so you are wasting our resource in some way. Right?

---

100% disagree. Yes the odd fish I catch does not survive and that is obvious before I release so those odd fish (can count on one hand) I keep as not to waist. All the other bass, pike walleye etc. I release go back to fight another day. I have caught pike, bass and walleye that have been clearly caught before and released. I have even caught bass that had been passing hooks with line still attached from people like you who don't care cause you going to keep anyway but made good their escape. Unlike you, I do care what you do. That's the difference between an angler and a fisherman. I care about my sport and its future.

Like I said you be you and I be me. You say catch and release doesn't work, I say it does.

Quote:

---

Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams

Birdwatching would equal the same environmental exposure for a child to teach about our wildlife and no need to stick sharp object in them to show ur kid...just sayin. Teach him how to catch clean and cook a fish and then he'll be a man one day

---

1. I have a daughter, assuming my child is a boy just shows what kind of person you are and the level of interaction you have with society.
2. This is Ontario out of doors not PETA. And if that's what you believe in you are on the wrong forum dude.
3. My dad taught me how to catch, clean and cook fish, and I can tell you I am 100% man ;)

we gotta animal activist here fellas, wow things just escalated quickly.

ps. I have a great crappie recipe if anyone interested fire me a pm...

After 83 posts in this thread, I can't see anything good happening going forward. And for that reason, It's closed!