Smallmouth Management

[Undertow]

Today while fishing I witnessed a man. Apparently sucker fishing catch a legal smallmouth bass. He pulled the fish out of the water. Let it flop on the ground then promptly threw it in his bucket of suckers that I suppose he planned to eat. I went over and made him aware that they were out of season and had to be released. He did. I told him about how smallmouths need to be a certain age to spawn and how long it took that 16 inch fish to get that big, how much competition for food the smallmouth has in the grand river. Just basically some conservation for this time of year. I told him if its this summer and he wants to keep that fish more power to him. As long as its legal go for it. You have that right. But dont do it now.
I dont keep any smallmouth anytime of the year. I do fish for them out of season though. But not during the spawn. Last spring I was killing them during a pre-spawn bite. One day I went to my fishing hole and couldnt buy a bite. So I started walking around and noticed bass on there beds. I watched and observed for a while. I would stop back every couple of days and check to see if they where still bedding. When they where done I continued with my fishing. I practice something called "Catch,Photo,Release". Catch it, take a pic, and get it back in the water as soon as possible. Now Im not downing anyone who does keep smallies. But thats how I fish and not just for smallies but for almost all fish. So is there anyone else who practices fish conservation beyond state regulations.

[chamookman]

You did the right thing informing the Angler about releaseing the Smally, but Your admission to "fishing for them out-of season" puts You at risk of a ticket also. Sounds like You like River Smallies, do Yourself a favor and fish for other species untill the season opens. Bob

[Westlakedrive]

Fish are like people not everyone spawns at the same time.
Even though you may think because you saw fish on the beds and now they are not that they are done spawning. That may not be the case. There may be more fish that have not yet spawned. Season regs were put into place for a reason and this is one of them. My $0.02.

[ESOX]

Let me get this straight. You stop a guy from breaking the law, yet freely admit that you break the law yourself when YOU decide it's ok to do so, then ask

So is there anyone else who practices fish conservation beyond state regulations.

I guess that depends upon your definition of "Conservation" and "beyond state regulations". Are you related to Bill Clinton? ;):lol: I fish legally, within "state regulations" I release over 99% of what I catch which I guess could be considered "conservation beyond state regulations."

[raisinrat]

I am a river rat just look at my name on here it tells it all. This year you will be aloud to fish for them this year at these times legally. Michigan has a new Catch & Release season. I think that this is good being that Guides and Captions like my self will be able to start fishing a month earlier. But one thing I hate to see the most is people that drag fish up on a bank and than throw the fish back in. When people do his they take some of the slim coat off the fish and make them more vulnerable to disease. When will people learn.

[Undertow]

I personally think michigan season regs are out of whack. I know when fish spawn and Im sure some start earlier and some stay late but I dont fish bedding areas. I dont use baits that could catch a bedding smallie. I fish fast water with baits that stay up in the water column. LC pointers and such. I stay away from slack water areas and using baits like tubes or Jig and pigs. I dont believe catching a smallie right now up until season stops for spawning is hurting the population. My .02
Undetow

[robin]

I went out fishing at my in-laws place 2 days ago. They live on a private pond/lake that was dug out of a farm field. I'd say it has been around 20 years or so by the size of the trees around it. Anyway, the lake is only 5 feet at its deepest spot, which allows the weeds to grow to the top and completely enguf the lake by the middle of summer. We've only seen small panfish around the very edge of the shoreline. I've tried throwing worms and never had a bite. My buddy and I took the canoe out and some small spinners, hoping that there would either be some big gills around or some crappie. I found out immediately that the entire pond/lake is infested with largemouth bass. We could not make a cast without hooking a bass. Even though we were on a small, private piece of water, I was nervous about catching a bass. I didn't think a DNR officer would buy the fact that we were trying to target another species when we only caught largemouth. I put my underwater camera down and found that there were beds all over the middle of the lake. They were easy to spot, because every other inch of the bottom was covered with weeds. Needless to say, we'll be pulling quite a few bass out of there when the season opens in an attempt to bring some balance back to the lake. My point in all this rambling is this- I didn't know what species of fish I would catch in this lake, and I used lures that would target panfish. Now that I know I would be catching a majority of bass if I went again, I won't be going until it's legal to catch one.

[CubanFisherman]

My point in all this rambling is this- I didn't know what species of fish I would catch in this lake, and I used lures that would target panfish. Now that I know I would be catching a majority of bass if I went again, I won't be going until it's legal to catch one.
That's an excellent point and a classy action. I like to target crappie with tiny crankbaits, but occasionally I hook a bass or pike. Even though I have excellent success on panfish using these crankbaits, I am always hesitant to use them on the off chance that I might catch an out of season fish.

I do fish for them out of season though.
There have been several posts recently explaining that even targeting an out of season species is illegal. I know it gets a bit annoying, but just remember, it is the law. I hope you make the right choice.:)

[slowpoke]

If the pond is private you can fish for Bass or anything else and keep them anytime, all year long.

[robin]

I honestly wasn't sure how that would go. It's private in the sense that all of the land around it is privately owned, but there are a total of 8 houses spaced out around the lake. I should have explained that.

[waterfoul]

I too practice "Catch, photo, release." I've only kept maybe 10 walleye in the last 20 years. All of them last year! My first year of walleye fishing. But, I have not kept a bass in 20+ years... and then only 2 at that, both of which are on my wall. I don't fish for out of species fish. Ever.

[slowpoke]

I honestly wasn't sure how that would go. It's private in the sense that all of the land around it is privately owned, but there are a total of 8 houses spaced out around the lake. I should have explained that.
Not private then. Land around Lake needs to be own by 1 person also no inlet or outlet. Catch and release will be here before you know it.

[robin]

That's good to know. Thanks.

[Westlakedrive]

You are absolutely correct. There are currently only 5 states that have a closure for bass season. Everywhere else you are legally aloud to fish for them at any time although even in the southern states fishing for spawning bass is a debated topic. The reason these northern states have a closure is because the spawning period is shorter due to a more rapid warm up of the water.
The issue is not a fish population issue.
You can be an ethical business man, politician, or fisherman, or you can be an unethical business man, politician, or fisherman. Difference between night and day. This is not a judgement, simply and opinion.

[chamookman]

I can tell by the amount of info in Your public file, that You most likely "fishing" for responces like this. Do Us (and the Smallies) all a favor, and limit Your consevation efforts during legal fishing seasons. Bob