I am from SW Ohio and was listening to a Ohio outdoor show on Am radio this morning , where they wear talking to state marine biologist. The size limit was disscussed in length and they feel that a 9"/30 fish bag limit is working to get size and populations up, they also mentioned a 10" limit, the Biologist said that less then 3% of the 10" crappie that they studyed survived and that most the Crappie are short lived, basically it is better to catch them when they are young in Our climate unlike the Southern states. I personally wont keep a fish less than 9" and trust me I catch a lot of them.
Many people will catch a limit go home drop them off and come catch another
Kevin
yes people that cheat will still cheat.
they are talking 25 gill limit now! that is a bit ridiculous, imo. takes at least a 100 for a family fish fry. its nice to go out the day before and get what ya need fresh.
will we ever have enough laws in this country?
I do agree too many laws now and maybe it's just the old bass fishermen in me. But size matters. A lake can be fished out. When you on longer catch fish, fishermen stop coming. Maybe that's all the regulation we need. Some day the fish will come back. When? Can larger crappie be grown in Indiana? I really don't know. As far as the guy on the dock who took more than his limit. I know they didn't go to waste. But doesn't make it right.
Ps. CATCH A BIG One. GOOD LUCK RIVER SCUM
Suspect with constant complaining to the state we could get them to hire more dnr officers. Right now they are spread so thin that it is hard for them to do much. Last year I wasn't checked at all for anything, and I was on the water about 150 days. And many of that was at salamonie or mississenwa. I saw some dnr officers, but not very often.
Of course I am fairly familiar with the ones that patrol here, and my boat is fairly easy to recognize on the water, so that may be why. Know down on the white river in indy, at least the stretch I fish sometimes, you are going to get checked.
Crap year before last I got checked 5 times at missy lol
Kevin
Hello, newbie here. I work for the DNR, sad to say but one of the higher ups is a fish hog. He brags about being the BEST fisherman, refuses to go home without his limit, drops off his limit then back out again. Also the state has put a "freeze" on hiring. We are down several people, for over a year. All of us struggle to do 2 jobs or more. As far as I know no more CO's will be hired. Most only do what they have to, or what makes them look good. I personally don't think we need more laws. Someone else said cheaters will still cheat. Myself I go out catch a meal for the family, and enjoy the time on the water. I also teach my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren to respect nature and the Earth. To many people "follow" the law and recklessly take more than they need from nature, just so they can brag to be the best. They were never taught respect, so they will always find a way to go around the law. We need to teach others to respect what we have, before it gets wasted. Unfortunately no law can do that. Sorry I will step down from the soap box.