Why throw small 'gills on the ice?

[Chad]

Is it just me, or do you guys see other so-called fishermen tossing the small gills on the ice to cull them out? These are the same people I hear complaining about only small fish in the lake. I know that too many fish will stunt the growth of the fish in a lake, but I catch some decent fish out of these same lakes. "The critters will eat them". I hear this alot, and it really ticks me off. Some of the people that I have confronted on this just shrug their shoulders and go off and fish a different part of the lake. I think I'm going to start doing a 'Grumpy Old Men' thing and throw the fish in their vehicles. Thanks for your time. Chad.

[Cable]

I have never understood that either. By killing all the small ones and keeping big ones there will never be a good fishery. I have people get mad at me because I through a lot of big gills back.

[Joe Archer]

If they get caught by a CO they will get a nice fine for letting those small fish die.<----<<<

[MOMS]

i see that happen all of the time. i don't know what's up with that. also it seems to be only the gills.never see perch or crappies. i wonder what they do with the small ones in the summer?