10lb bass caught on public lake on Jefferson Forest

I agree with most of you.
First off its not a big deal most likely no one would have caught it again anyway.
But replicas are better these days. They look better and there isnt the price difference there used to be.
And a legal fish you catch is yours no doubt you do what you want but its also a free country and others can voice their opinions on it.

But I think what gets me is the fact that this is a 5 acre pond. I fished lots of small lakes less than 50 acres and these lakes are alot different than a big lake. Many of the small lakes in the state arent very good because of quality fish being kept. I know one 40 acre lake Smokey Valley or Carter Caves that used to be incredible. It was the first trophy lake with a 20in size limit. Then it got lots of pressure which for its size was only a couple boats a day. People kept lots of fish out of it then they couldnt find any more trophy fish in surveys so they dropped the size limit to 15in. But people kept keeping bass and now they cant find anything over 15in so this year there is no size limit on the lake. It doesnt take many fish being kept to ruin a small lake. If two boats fish a small lake everyday and 3 quality fish a week are kept on average the lake wont be very good for long. People keeping bass ruined one of my favorite lakes. I would prefer any small lake have a 2 fish limit and only bass 12-14in could be kept. There are lots of small lakes across the state that have undersized populations of bass because any decent bass get harvested. Again nothing against him keeping this fish but the fact that many people who posted on this thread said they would do the same and my guess is most would keep a bass alot less than 10 and its no suprise our small lakes dont produce more big fish. I dont blame people for keeping fish thats their right. Its the states fault for making overharvest possible. They would rather let people keep bass from a lake and end up with a population of undersized bass than put strict regulations on these lakes and make them incredible. My suggestion would be 2 months of the year allow harvest of 12-14in bass with a 2 fish limit that would be enough to keep the population balanced.

With catch and release the more you fish the less bass you keep for the most part so the people who catch most of the bass put everything back for the most part. But on small lakes the fish are easier to catch for the most part so alot more get harvested. Somebody said that fishing on that lake was difficult well if it was a catch and release only lake it would likely be very good but instead its a hard lake. I guess thats worth a few people being able to take the occasional fish home. Again I dont blame the kid just making a point.

More evidence. These are the Fishing Forecast for some small lakes. Any small lake should be rated good or excellent as anybody who fishes ponds or small lakes knows.

Briggs Lake 18 acres
Largemouth bassFair/ GoodNumerous 11-13 inch fish; better than average numbers of larger fish (18-inch+) available
Clear Creek Lake 40 acres
Largemouth bassFairLake receives heavy pressure reducing the overall numbers of bass, but a few in the 20-25 inch range have been sampled.
Kingfisher Lake 36 acres
Largemouth bassPoor/FairPopulation dominated by sub-legal fish. A late-summer oxygen depletion killed several of the larger bass, but some 12-13 inch fish still present.
Lake Reba 76 acres
Largemouth bassFairMost bass are smaller than the 15-inch minimum size limit. Larger bass generally are in areas of the lake that need to be reached by boat. Several bass over 19 inches have been sampled. In the fall of 2008 several hundred 5-inch largemouth bass were stocked to offset a poor spawn and to try and thin the abundant sunfish population. [U]Note[/U]: 15-inch minimum size limit.
Marion County Lake 36 acres
Largemouth bassFairGood numbers of 10-14 inch fish with an average number of 15-inch and larger fish
Pennyrile Lake 47 acres
Largemouth bassFairA quiet and scenic lake with high numbers of bass 12 inches and smaller. It is a great place to take kids fishing! [U]Note[/U]: bass are protected between 12-15 inches.
Rebel Trace Lake 19 acres
Largemouth bassFairLake receives heavy pressure therefore fewer numbers of bass are caught. Though limited, fish up to 19 inches can be found. Fish woody structure and weed beds.
Smokey Valley 36 acres
Largemouth bassFairMost fish appear to be less than 12 inches in size in spite of the minimum size limit. As a result, the minimum size limit on bass will be removed in 2009 in an effort to restore the population. There will still be a 6 fish creel limit. Improvements can only be made if anglers remove some of the small fish.
Three springs lake 36 acres
Largemouth bassFairNumerous fish available; few fish larger than 15 inches, but some trophies (20-inch+) are present

Small lakes should be the lakes in the state instead they are some of the worst. Some small lakes are still good especially ones with vegetation but for the most part I think they are mismanaged. Anybody who has ever fished a private small lake or one thats mangaged right knows how good they can be.

This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings. In other words, they're not worried about establishing populations, they're just putting fish in there for people to fish for. These lakes are closely monitored, and there will always be bass in there for people to fish for. What bothers me is seeing people doing catch-and-release on those little bitty stocked trout, and acting all high-and-mighty about it. Those fish are going to die by summer, and all they're doing is accelerating the process, and killing fish for no reason. I had one guy who was doing the catch/release trout thing offer me one of the fish he caught, because it was gut-hooked and would likely die. He actually got huffy with me when I politely declined to keep his 9" trout. My feeling is, if you're not willing to keep and eat the occasional gut-hooked fish, you have no business out there fishing.

I don't post allot, but here goes nothing. I have caught a big 10 lb + bass before. I let her go about her day after the photos. I would like to point out that it was my personal choice, for what I wanted, her genes needed to be passed on to the lake population. Having said that, the boy has my blessing keeping that bass. It was ultimately his choice, and I harbor no bad feelings about it.

[QUOTE=mike4bass;367821]I don't post allot, but here goes nothing. I have caught a big 10 lb + bass before. I let her go about her day after the photos. I would like to point out that it was my personal choice, for what I wanted, her genes needed to be passed on to the lake population. Having said that, the boy has my blessing keeping that bass. It was ultimately his choice, and I harbor no bad feelings about it.[/QUOTE]
I would say 9 out of 10 agree.........brown or green, if it was 10lbs+ it would be on my wall above the mantle for all to see. When fish get that big, they are not going to live much longer anyway. The fish had a good run, and congrats to the young man who caught her. It will leave a lasting impression on him for the rest of his life, not to mention a decoration to take with him anywhere he ventures in life. Just my opinion.

[QUOTE=RoadToad;367811]This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings. In other words, they're not worried about establishing populations, they're just putting fish in there for people to fish for. These lakes are closely monitored, and there will always be bass in there for people to fish for. What bothers me is seeing people doing catch-and-release on those little bitty stocked trout, and acting all high-and-mighty about it. Those fish are going to die by summer, and all they're doing is accelerating the process, and killing fish for no reason. I had one guy who was doing the catch/release trout thing offer me one of the fish he caught, because it was gut-hooked and would likely die. He actually got huffy with me when I politely declined to keep his 9" trout. My feeling is, if you're not willing to keep and eat the occasional gut-hooked fish, you have no business out there fishing.[/QUOTE]

Absolutely. Catfish, Crappie, Trout and most other species are a different ballgame. Their are plenty of species that are numerous in good size and grow quick. Bass, Muskie, and trophy fish are much more valuable to a fishery. And I dont mind keeping a few keeper bass from a huge lake occasionally and if a fish is obviously going to die keep it regardless if possible. But small lakes are a different story they get over fished so easy. And while I will never fish this lake my opinion is the fact the keep putting small bass in it to get harvested makes the big fish that much more valuable. But I wish the kid well or anyone who keeps a trophy its just that I wish they would making our small lakes great for bass and let people harvest other fish if they want.

[QUOTE=CATCHEMALL;367715]I think that people know about the replica but the price is what makes them mount the real fish. If you could get a replica for about the same price there would be alot less big fish being killed. And in this economy I cant blame people for wanting to save as much money as they can. Just my thoughts on the matter.[/QUOTE]

I've seen a ton of replicas that look like crap........TOTAL CRAP.

If I catch a 10.........it is going home. I pay for the RIGHT to do that when I purchase my license.......

I've caught a few 7's a few more 6's..............Nothing over 8.........and I don't have one of my own on the wall yet........but I will.

Later,

Geo

[QUOTE=RoadToad;367811]This particular 5-acre lake we're talking about is Tom Wallace, one of the Fishing in Neighborhoods (FiNS) lakes. It is re-stocked regularly with bass, catfish, bluegill, and occasionally, trout, and if you ask KDFWR, these are all "put-take" stockings. In other words, they're not worried about establishing populations, they're just putting fish in there for people to fish for. These lakes are closely monitored, and there will always be bass in there for people to fish for. What bothers me is seeing people doing catch-and-release on those little bitty stocked trout, and acting all high-and-mighty about it. Those fish are going to die by summer, and all they're doing is accelerating the process, and killing fish for no reason. I had one guy who was doing the catch/release trout thing offer me one of the fish he caught, because it was gut-hooked and would likely die. He actually got huffy with me when I politely declined to keep his 9" trout. My feeling is, if you're not willing to keep and eat the occasional gut-hooked fish, you have no business out there fishing.[/QUOTE]



Those little bitty stocked trout probably helped that 10 lb. bass get to 10 lbs.

I know if my grandpa caught that fish, it would have ended up in the skillet, and tasted great! You could have admired the size of the fish by looking at its head that was hanging in the tree next to his house.

As kids growing up it was a pretty site to see how grandpa did at the lake. The next best thing was when you got to eat, and hang your first big bass head on the tree next to your grandpa's.

[QUOTE=WwiskerswW;367937]I know if my grandpa caught that fish, it would have ended up in the skillet, and tasted great! You could have admired the size of the fish by looking at its head that was hanging in the tree next to his house.

As kids growing up it was a pretty site to see how grandpa did at the lake. The next best thing was when you got to eat, and hang your first big bass head on the tree next to your grandpa's.[/QUOTE]


Good Stuff.... These are just fish people, just like Bucks or Toms. We don't let them walk in November. And I'm not about to let that fish get away. If I catch a 10lb Bass I would mount it for sure. To each his own.

[QUOTE=Fntsyfbgod;367808]More evidence. These are the Fishing Forecast for some small lakes. Any small lake should be rated good or excellent as anybody who fishes ponds or small lakes knows.

Briggs Lake 18 acres
Largemouth bassFair/ GoodNumerous 11-13 inch fish; better than average numbers of larger fish (18-inch+) available
Clear Creek Lake 40 acres
Largemouth bassFairLake receives heavy pressure reducing the overall numbers of bass, but a few in the 20-25 inch range have been sampled.
Kingfisher Lake 36 acres
Largemouth bassPoor/FairPopulation dominated by sub-legal fish. A late-summer oxygen depletion killed several of the larger bass, but some 12-13 inch fish still present.
Lake Reba 76 acres
Largemouth bassFairMost bass are smaller than the 15-inch minimum size limit. Larger bass generally are in areas of the lake that need to be reached by boat. Several bass over 19 inches have been sampled. In the fall of 2008 several hundred 5-inch largemouth bass were stocked to offset a poor spawn and to try and thin the abundant sunfish population. [U]Note[/U]: 15-inch minimum size limit.
Marion County Lake 36 acres
Largemouth bassFairGood numbers of 10-14 inch fish with an average number of 15-inch and larger fish
Pennyrile Lake 47 acres
Largemouth bassFairA quiet and scenic lake with high numbers of bass 12 inches and smaller. It is a great place to take kids fishing! [U]Note[/U]: bass are protected between 12-15 inches.
Rebel Trace Lake 19 acres
Largemouth bassFairLake receives heavy pressure therefore fewer numbers of bass are caught. Though limited, fish up to 19 inches can be found. Fish woody structure and weed beds.
Smokey Valley 36 acres
Largemouth bassFairMost fish appear to be less than 12 inches in size in spite of the minimum size limit. As a result, the minimum size limit on bass will be removed in 2009 in an effort to restore the population. There will still be a 6 fish creel limit. Improvements can only be made if anglers remove some of the small fish.
Three springs lake 36 acres
Largemouth bassFairNumerous fish available; few fish larger than 15 inches, but some trophies (20-inch+) are present

Small lakes should be the lakes in the state instead they are some of the worst. Some small lakes are still good especially ones with vegetation but for the most part I think they are mismanaged. Anybody who has ever fished a private small lake or one thats mangaged right knows how good they can be.[/QUOTE]

I think you are oversimplifying this a little. Smaller public lakes tend to get more pressure and you are not taking into account habitat, water hydrology and other factors.

[QUOTE=Tim_T;368013]I think you are oversimplifying this a little. Smaller public lakes tend to get more pressure and you are not taking into account habitat, water hydrology and other factors.[/QUOTE]

Yeah there are other factors but I think the main reason smaller lakes are not as good as you would expect for the most part is major effect harvesting quality fish has. I have seen several lakes under 50 acres in this state and others that are catch and release only for bass and certain species for this reason. Its a matter a matter of opinion but I think if the lakes I mentioned were catch and release only for bass or had stricter regulations they would all be much better. And even the state thinks mentions harvest ruined Smokey Valley lake and a couple others.