Stream Smalmouth Conservation

I am quoting from an article from the Ohio Conservation stationary on [url]http://www.smallmouth.org/OhioC&R.html[/url]. The article is titled "Why Is It Important to Practice Catch & Release?"

It states stream smallmouth bass require 5 years to reach 12 inches in length. A 15 inch bass is seven years of age. This surprised me to be honest. When I was stream fishing back in the 70's and 80's, I use to catch a few in the 3 and 4 pound range in pools left by low water levels in the fall. I just didn't realize how many years it took for a smallmouth to reach that size and weight. I think I can appreciate smallmouth stream fishing a little more now.

This article urges us to protect our smallmouth streams by "Catch and Release" and follow state regulations and guildelines in order to keep our fisheries productive.

Good article, good points, and good standards to live by on the creeks and streams. You're looking at the same characteristics in Kentucky waters.

The Ohio Smallmouth Alliance is a good outfit. I've had the pleasure of meeting some of their members...they love fishing moving water and they love smallmouth.

Although I'm sure it would never pass muster with the F&W commission, I would be perfectly happy with a one fish, 20 in. limit on smallmouth in ALL streams in KY.

[QUOTE=JoeB;343782]Although I'm sure it would never pass muster with the F&W commission, I would be perfectly happy with a one fish, 20 in. limit on smallmouth in ALL streams in KY.[/QUOTE]


I would also, but getting it passed and having enough KDFW officers to police it is a different story...

Billy