Never heard of anyone releasing any fish when I was a young boy. Then came along Vergal Ward , Bill Dance and other Bass fishermen that put TV shows on throwing back big bass . Then came along the Bassmasters tournaments and they threw back fish alive or it was points against them. Then rich people started to hunt and fish and most quit playing golf to do so. That's when hunting leases and sporting goods like guns and boat prices when through the roof. They just want to catch trophies they don't even care to eat the fish. Now they are crappie tournaments starting and now they want to keep the big fish as trophies. It is not really to help the fish population it is just a deal like the deer clubs saying you can't kill anything under a 10 point on our club and it has to be a 5 or 6 year old. I said all this to say I am not a rich man but a meat eater and I eat crappie,bass, catfish, deer,turkey,etc. so please don't ask me to throw my supper back in the lake.