KDFWR Conservation Issue

[jonboy]

I'm posting this an appeal to all sport fisherman who frequent this site. You may or may not be aware, but a growing number of catfisherman on the Ohio River are pushing for regulations to protect against the unregulated harvest of our trophy catfish in the Ohio and our other major river systems. Every year, in seemingly increasing numbers, tons and tons of large fish are being removed from our waters for sale to pay lakes and other uses. Almost to a man, the folks like me who frequent the Ohio are noticing serious declines in big fish catch rates as they notice more commercial activity on the pools they fish.

We, as catfisherman, have brought our case to the KDFWR and requested they take action similar to TN and AL to protect the fishery with a 1 fish over 34" per day limit. As surrounding states protect the resource, the pressure on our waters is ever increasing. As trophy catfisherman, our overall numbers are fairly small, so I'm asking ALL sport fisherman, if you agree with our cause, to show your support for this conversation effort.

A fellow catfisherman has created a website with a petition for this cause: http://www.monstersontheohio.com/#!petition-page. If you agree, we'd greatly appreciate your support by signing this petition. Further, if you feel strongly on the issue, please let the KDFWR know that as SPORT fisherman, you support this cause.

Thanks
Rob

[TimE]

If you can fit otters in there somewhere, I'd consider not opposing your efforts.

[smashdn]

We talked about this at an LKS meeting. Sounds whiney.

I don't support it.

[mhall]

We talked about this at an LKS meeting. Sounds whiney.

I don't support it.

Dude do some research you are wrong this, its anything but whiney.

I was HAPPY to sign the petition and did so and back you 110%!!!!!!

[riverrat12]

Dude do some research you are wrong this, its anything but whiney.

I was HAPPY to sign the petition and did so and back you 110%!!!!!!

You said it Mark.People that don't agree simply don't know the river and or don't care. As you and I have discussed the number of trophy cats has steadily declined over the years. I've fished the river for over 40 years and can definetly see the difference.As other states have passed regulations to control over harvest it has put increased pressure on the river. Ky has again dragged there feet in addressing the problem. Question for smashdn, If you feel this is being whiney, WHY have other states allready put forth regulations. Chuck

[FlyLie]

If you can fit otters in there somewhere, I'd consider not opposing your efforts.

W...T.....X, ?????? talking bout?????

[kyriverblues]

I totally agree. If the bass were being taken people would be having a fit!!! I fish the Ohio around Carrolton alot and have seen the large blues and flatheads declining big time. I see nets around the area more and more now days. If something is not done, in a few years we will all have to go to other states to catch big blues. The same issue is at Taylorsville Lake but with jugs. It is sometimes hard to drift around all the jugs. The fish and wildlife have finally put some regs on the lake so only time will tell. Anyone that thinks this is whining needs to take a little time and do some research on this issue before making comments. I will gladly sign the form and wish the fish and wildlife would have a meeting on this so we all can voice our oppinion on this. I am glad to help any way i can.

[jonboy]

Some people won't support what we're trying to do, some will. Everyone has different opinions, and I accept that. I'm just betting that there's enough sport fisherman out there to band together to help correct this issue. I don't walleye fish, but if there was activity going on by a few that was jeopardizing the quality of the fishery for the whole, you bet I would support a push to regulate that activity.

KYriverblues, check out KDFWR website for schedule on fisheries meetings open to the public, etc. Attend these meetings, voice your concerns, write them. Let them know your support our efforts. If anything is going to change, it can't be just a few of us....they need to hear from all of us.

[smashdn]

I don't support restricting commercial fishermen any more for the sake of sport fishing.

The commercial fishermen are the group that we as sport fishermen will rely upon to control the asian carp mess. The more of them we have fighting that fight the better off we will all be. Alienating them with these regs IMO will push commercial fishermen away and lose there support of controlling the asian carp.

Dude, I did the research. I read the entire proposal when it was presented before LKS. And then read it again when it was presented before our district.

I've thought on it long and hard and feel it is fairly short sided in scope.

[riverrat12]

I don't support restricting commercial fishermen any more for the sake of sport fishing.

The commercial fishermen are the group that we as sport fishermen will rely upon to control the asian carp mess. The more of them we have fighting that fight the better off we will all be. Alienating them with these regs IMO will push commercial fishermen away and lose there support of controlling the asian carp.

Dude, I did the research. I read the entire proposal when it was presented before LKS. And then read it again when it was presented before our district.

I've thought on it long and hard and feel it is fairly short sided in scope.

Asian carp are a completly different subject. This is protecting the trophy catfish population that is being desimated by greedy paylake owners making a killing off of our natural resourses. I can only hope there isn't truck after truck of 10# bass heading out of your favorite lake to accomidate a bunch of people that fish in a bucket....Oh wait that won't happen ...there's REGULATIONS for that. Again I ask why have other states put regulations in place??? Simple overharvesting. I've watched it happen for 40+ years. I guess we will just have to disagree on this subject. Sorry for the rant but this hits close to home. Chuck

[smashdn]

Could care less about bass.

Asian carp are not a completely different subject. You must not have read what I posted to think so. You can say that that isn't what this reg is about and I understand that but that is a narrow view for how the regulation will impact commercial fishing.