Another good day on the lake

[JBledsoe]

I hope this doesn't offend anyone but I think people keep too many fish. Remember those are all less we will catch next time. In my area the DNR have came out and said people are being greedy pigs which is resulting in lower Walleye population. I live on Little Bay de Noc which was the "Walleye capital of the wordl".

No offense but you are kidding or mis-informed. One could remove a million crappie from these lakes and see no detectable difference. Limit on catch or no limit makes no difference in populations. Crappie population numbers run in about 6 to 10 year cycle where numbers rise to a peak then decline. Catch numbers have nothing to do with that cycle. IF&G says that not enough fishermen catch crappie to affect populations and therefore the state has no limit. We are encouraged to catch as many as we can use but never waste any which is a crime in this state. IT is illegal to waste fish or wildlife although crappie are not considered game fish in the northwestern states.

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[abarkley]

That's what i call whackin and stackin

[DRPEPPER]

Glad to hear it is all up to snuff. I ain't seen a cooler full of crappie like that since I used to go with my Paw Pa 40 years ago.
DP

[Charles]

In theory, the DNR has people monitoring the population of each species in its jurisdiction. The limit is where it is because that number controls the population. If crappie, for instance, get over fished, the limit could be lowered which would allow the number of fish to increase back to a more appropriate level.

In addition, for a fish that reproduces as often as crappie, pulling a bunch of filets out of the water leaves more food and cover for the rest of them so they will be healthier and more baby fish will survive to adulthood. The system adjusts itself.

That being said, taking a limit (or a pull of any number) and wasting fish is a pretty terrible thing to do.