I am not by any means a biologist. I only know what I know from my own experience and research on the Internet and fishing shows. I've read and heard that a bass will swim up to 10 miles to find it's bed again and like others have posted the limits were put in place for a reason and if an under-population started to occur then the laws would change. I used to be one of those who said "never keep a fish! Put it back to grow!" but the fact of the matter is (as others have also already stated) sometimes by putting them back you're not allowing others to grow. I think there is a good balance of the "catch and releasers" and the "keep and eaters". So IMO do as you please as long as it's legal. I personally am in it strictly for the sport so I always catch and release but I have no problem with anyone who follows the rules and does as they please with their legal fish.

Just my 2 pennies...