Catch and Release

For many years, catch and release has been drilled into our brains. Thankfully, most fishermen understand, and abide by this policy. No longer are bass tournaments allowing anglers to use stringers. Stringers have been replaced by live wells. The pictures of early bass tournaments back in the seventies used to impress me tremendously; these same pictures horrify me today. While the mortality rate isn’t perfect even today where bass tournaments are concerned, heavy emphasis is now placed on releasing every fish back alive. Fishing as a sport has come a long way.

 

Catch and release has insured our lakes, rivers, and even our oceans will thrive and continue to produce for generations to come. But, is catch and release always the best policy. The answer to that question will surprise many fishermen. Sometimes for a body of water to produce better quality fish, catch and release is not the answer. When not managed properly, a body of water can become unbalanced. I will use farm ponds as an example. A farm pond has the same eco system as the bigger lakes, just on a smaller scale. Often, a farm pond owner, or the people a farm pond owner lets fish in the pond, keep only the bigger fish and throw all the little ones back. This is a very bad habit that will quickly unbalance a pond and cause the fish to be stunted. These small stunted fish will continue to multiply, and soon you will have a pond of teeming with small, starving, undersized fish, that will never reach their full potential.

 

Farm owners these days often get help from their local fish and game agency. These state agencies will often come in and shock a pond to see just what numbers, and sizes of fish are there. They can then recommend how to best manage the specific body of water. While I used a farm pond as an example, this type of management also applies to our larger lakes and rivers. This is why slot and size limits are often put in place. This practiced saved Lewis Smith Lake in Alabama. In the past, the locals referred to Smith Lake as the dead sea…it is now thriving and getting better each year.

 

If you are a fisherman that loves to eat fish like I do, take the time to find out about the body of water where you fish. What species may need to have their numbers brought down some, and what sizes need to be put back in order to keep balance in check. Responsible fishing, and teaching of our children will keep our waterways healthy and productive for the years to come. You guys have a great day.

Lowell Henderson

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