Illegal noodling. More widespread than I thought.

[perchplucker]

Looks like Truman is a hot spot. Conservation agents thwart illegal catfish noodling | MDC

[kazualobzerver]

Think they're entitled to privileges that others aren't, bunch of half wits. Think i overdid the caffeine this morning.

[slabscab]

I heard mdc is going to start doing research on the declining number of catfish especially blue cats here on LOZ. They will be setting jug lines and collecting data.

[Little Skeeter]

Well they could look at other states that allow this type of fishing. As a Biologist, you have to take into account the local situations of fishing habits along with food sources, pollution, water clarity and temp, as well as nesting opportunities for the big fish. And there is more science that goes into determining what is causing a decline in fish populations as well as how to protect them that a lot of agencies across the country do not take the time to do correctly or have the funding to do it at all. I have done this type of fishing my whole life, and unless you are taking very large numbers of fish out of the fishery it does not make a big impact on the fishery, given it is a healthy fishery to begin with.

[DMW1960]

Well its all fine and good unless you get ahold of something other than a catfish! I used to have a friend who did alot of noodling down on Pomme de Terre. The guy is dead now but he told me it was alot of fun until you got ahold of a Beaver or a Turtle. Myself I ain't got the nerve to do it! I watch the shows on TV showing it being done in other states. Its just not my bag of tea! Would rather catch one on a hook.

[jimmie]

x2

[siscokid]

Little Skeeter is exactly right! I don't put too much stock in these educated idiots. They just havent figured out how to make money of it.

[Jerkey Log]

I would not make light of the MDC, as they have many things they have done that are great. I do not know how this would effect a healthy fishery, I would just have to go along with them. Like Lake Eufaula Ok, no size limit on crappie, daily limit of 37 and no possession limit, and you can catch more and bigger fish than Truman. Maybe it is like the quail, we used to had tons of quail in Mo and no quail biologist. Now we have tons of quail biologist and no quail????

[Little Skeeter]

You also have no quail habitat other than what a few land owners are willing to allow in cooperation with MCD. Having quail biologist is a good thing but if land owners dont agree to follow the guidelines that are set by those biologist then you still will not have quail. Also urban sprawl over the past two decades has reduced the quail habitat greatly, it isn't a single source for the cause of the drop in quail nor any other animal for that matter. There are many factors that go into the decline of any species of plant, animal, fish, or invertebrate. To bring back a population of any species it take a lot of hard work and dedication by all to make it successful.

Second issue for game birds is not only the loss of habitat but also the increase in predators, low quality food sources, and disease.

With the catfish I am just saying they need to do a long term study to identify the root cause of the decline in either numbers or quality of the fish. Also in the mean time a program should be set in place to stock the population as best as possible with fish outside of the area. This would rule out any genetic issues that may be the cause in the interim time. Then if the problem is considered dire enough then you would also have to cut back on the fishing limits and or create specific season for fishing of the catfish. Protect their spawning areas and times, like not allowing any cats over 10lbs to be harvested from any fishery during spawn season. I could go on but I think you get my point. Unfortunately this is something that many species of animals and fish a like are going through right now. We all need to be more conservation minded if we truly want to protect and improve our love of the outdoors. And for the most part I think the majority of people are, but then you have some that refuse to do the right thing.

[Jerkey Log]

[QUOTE=Little Skeeter;1635542]You also have no quail habitat other than what a few land owners are willing to allow in cooperation with MCD. Having quail biologist is a good thing but if land owners dont agree to follow the guidelines that are set by those biologist then you still will not have quail. Also urban sprawl over the past two decades has reduced the quail habitat greatly, it isn't a single source for the cause of the drop in quail nor any other animal for that matter. There are many factors that go into the decline of any species of plant, animal, fish, or invertebrate. To bring back a population of any species it take a lot of hard work and dedication by all to make it successful.

Second issue for game birds is not only the loss of habitat but also the increase in predators, low quality food sources, and disease.

With the catfish I am just saying they need to do a long term study to identify the root cause of the decline in either numbers or quality of the fish. Also in the mean time a program should be set in place to stock the population as best as possible with fish outside of the area. This would rule out any genetic issues that may be the cause in the interim time. Then if the problem is considered dire enough then you would also have to cut back on the fishing limits and or create specific season for fishing of the catfish. Protect their spawning areas and times, like not allowing any cats over 10lbs to be harvested from any fishery during spawn season. I could go on but I think you get my point. Unfortunately this is something that many species of animals and fish a like are going through right now. We all need to be more conservation minded if we truly want to protect and improve our love of the outdoors. And for the most part I think the majority of people are, but then you have some that refuse to do the right thing.[/QUOTE

Well stated!