Bluegrass F&W Usage is way up!

[Moose1am]

I have noticed a lot more boat trailers in the parking lots at Bluegrass, Loon and Otter Pits this year. I think it's directly related to the fact that we can now use gas motors on the three large pits. Before when it was electric trolling motor only a lot of boat owners would not fish these pits. But now they have seen the light and are giving these pits a work out. It's good to see that the resource is being utilized much more. There will be a lot more fishing hours this summer.

I was sort of expecting to see a DNR part time employee doing creel surveys this year but so far have not seen anyone. Maybe they have enough creel survey information now.

Everyone that I have seen is going by the rules of no wake speed for the most part. I hope that this shows the IDNR property managers of other areas that it's possible to get more boats on other waters in IN. Lakes like Dogwood Lake and Hovey's lake may someday be opened up to boats with motors larger than 10 HP as long as the no wake speed limit can be shown to be ENFORCEABLE! This sure would open up these waters to a lot of fisherman. These fisherman who own motors bigger than 10 HP spend a lot of money on fishing gear and we pay a lot of TAXES and help fund the IDNR too.

We deserve a chance to put our boats on Hovey Lake, Glendale and Turtle Creek as well as those with small boats.

Everyone who fishes pays for a fishing license and every bait we buy gets taxed and part of that tax on fishing goods goes to the IDNR. Pitman Robertson Act has something to do with this. Even the duck hunters help to fund these properties with their taxes.

[raporter]

I have noticed a lot more boat trailers in the parking lots at Bluegrass, Loon and Otter Pits this year. I think it's directly related to the fact that we can now use gas motors on the three large pits. Before when it was electric trolling motor only a lot of boat owners would not fish these pits. But now they have seen the light and are giving these pits a work out. It's good to see that the resource is being utilized much more. There will be a lot more fishing hours this summer.

I was sort of expecting to see a DNR part time employee doing creel surveys this year but so far have not seen anyone. Maybe they have enough creel survey information now.

Everyone that I have seen is going by the rules of no wake speed for the most part. I hope that this shows the IDNR property managers of other areas that it's possible to get more boats on other waters in IN. Lakes like Dogwood Lake and Hovey's lake may someday be opened up to boats with motors larger than 10 HP as long as the no wake speed limit can be shown to be ENFORCEABLE! This sure would open up these waters to a lot of fisherman. These fisherman who own motors bigger than 10 HP spend a lot of money on fishing gear and we pay a lot of TAXES and help fund the IDNR too.

We deserve a chance to put our boats on Hovey Lake, Glendale and Turtle Creek as well as those with small boats.

Everyone who fishes pays for a fishing license and every bait we buy gets taxed and part of that tax on fishing goods goes to the IDNR. Pitman Robertson Act has something to do with this. Even the duck hunters help to fund these properties with their taxes.

No good reason these places shouldn't be opened up to larger outboards. Just place a 5 or 10 MPH limit and enforce it.

[Moose1am]

I visited Otter Pit Saturday and found the parking lot PACKED with at least 20 boat trailers in the parking lot. I heard that Azteca was holding a tournament. But the the other boats were not with that tournament. It's amazing that 90 acres can hold all those boats. For the most part everyone went slow. I saw a few that were making a wake. I estimate that they were going 5 to 10 mph. But then again what is "NO WAKE" speed. When the Conservation Officer's Truck pulled up I didn't see anyone going over "no wake speed" at that time. That was the second time I have ever seen any CO's at Bluegrass F&W this year. I know they are there but just not when I go.

If all these boats (Rangers and Triton's with 150 + motors) were also allowed to fish on Hovey and Glendale it would take some pressure off the Bluegrass pits.

But with gas prices going over $3.159/ gallon I doubt many people will be heading out on long fishing trips like they did in the past. Maybe they will still go but not as often. I appears that many decided to stay and fish at Bluegrass and not drive as far Saturday. I know that I could have gone to Patoka Saturday but I didn't want to spend $35 on the gas it would take to get there and back. And that's driving a 4 cylinder pickup truck that only holds 12 gallons. I use to only pay $10 for that same trip to Patoka Lake and back.

No good reason these places shouldn't be opened up to larger outboards. Just place a 5 or 10 MPH limit and enforce it.

[fishNnut]

Maybe they are musky fishing?

I didnt' even realize that you could put motorized boats on these lakes.

[Moose1am]

Maybe they are musky fishing?

I didn't even realize that you could put motorized boats on these lakes.

Nate, Sugar Ridge and Bluegrass F&W area's Property Manager, got the IDNR higher up's to allow the use of gasoline motors on the three largest pits in the Bluegrass F&W Area. But you must maintain an IDLE SPEED ONLY posture. This, the idle speed limit, is strictly enforced.

As for the Muskie they are very small from what I have observed. I saw one small (About 12" at the most) swimming along the bank in shallow water. They will have to grow a few more years before they can be harvested legally. The legal size limit for Muskies on Bluegrass Pit is 36" as per the posted signs.

[fishNnut]

I guess they'll be big enough in about 6-8 years then. Although it would be a shame to keep one 36", I'm sure there will be plenty of people keeping them and smaller one's also.

[Moose1am]

Fishnet brought up a good point about people taking short fish. He is right as I have witness guys with short bass at the launch ramp at times. Even if you tell them the limit's 18" for Largemouth bass on Bluegrass and Loon pit they will just scoff and keep their short fish anyway. I hope that not everyone is like that. I hope that most people abide by the regulations for everyone's sake.



I know this happens from time to time and anyone that would keep short fish is a "POACHER" or "CROOK" in my book. Just like anyone that keeps too many fish. We all need to know the rules and abide by them at all times.

Yesterday I heard that one of the Indiana Conservation Officers caught a man and his son keeping short fish at Otter Pit. Not sure what kind of penalty he got but I am sure it's a stiff one.

People that break the rules or laws and keep undersized fish risk the ire of other fisherman as well as the IDNR. This poacher will have to pay a big fine and possibly loose all his fishing gear and possibly the car he drove to the fishing hole.

Beware that you may get caught and punished if you keep a short Largemouth Bass at Bluegrass Fish and Wildlife Area.

If people decide to fish they should read up on the rules and regulations before venturing out to the lake. That's just common sense.

You never know who's watching you though a night vision scope or from the next ridge.

There are valid reasons for setting size limits on the various species of fish. These size limits help to ensure that EVERYONE gets a chance to catch a trophy fish in the future. To take short fish now ruins that opportunity for the next guy, is against the law, and could end up costing you a lot of money to boot. Why take the chance?

I wish to thank the IDNR for doing their job of making Bluegrass a good place to fish and hunt. We here in the Southern Tip of IN are very lucky to have such a place to go to.

I guess they'll be big enough in about 6-8 years then. Although it would be a shame to keep one 36", I'm sure there will be plenty of people keeping them and smaller one's also.