some smallmouth from this week (updated 4-9-10 more pics)

[MtnMuley]

There are a few lakes that we fish that its nothing to catch 10-15 5+lb smallies.

I think it's time for a Culmrite scale.

[teal101]

In all seriousness. I am only speaking for the lakes and rivers that I fish over here. Lots of fish. Plenty to keep a limit and maintain a healthy population.  The guys who disagree probably have experienced over fishing of a small pond in the middle of the city. In that case you may be right. Catch and release mostly. But no matter how small the pond you will still have to keep some small ones to let the big ones get bigger. 

I agree with what you said in part. I don't think I said anything about not keeping them, I think the larger bodies of water that I fish there is no reason to keep 25 fish, the body of water can support the amount of fish that is there and then some.  Washington, Sammamish, Banks, Potholes, Moses, Roosevelt, Columbia river, Whatcom, and I think my main part is to release the bigger ones and keep 25 of the small ones. I have done my research and I know that those bass do not get replenished by a hatchery and they do not return every 2-4 years from the ocean to be caught. A 4 pound smallie is a mature breeding fish. You keep to many of those and all you will have is dinks for your 25 limit fish.

Joe

The point is to keep the smaller ones, hence the slot limits for bass.  The state already knows people need to keep the smaller fish and release the larger ones so the population doesn't get stunted from over population and lack of food.

Keep a few and fry em up, they're delicious, even out of Moses Lake

[wastickslinger]

There are a few lakes that we fish that its nothing to catch 10-15 5+lb smallies.

I think it's time for a Culmrite scale.

Really??

[WSU]

I personally think the best thing you could do is to catch and kill every bass you can get your hands on, at least in places like the snake and yakima rivers (not so much in the lakes discussed above).  There is no reason we should be releasing an invasive species to keep the population of said invasive species high.  This is especially true when said invasive species, namely small mouth bass, is eating ESA listed salmon and steelhead smolts by the thousands.  I applaud you for catching and eating all the bass you can.  Give them to your family, neighbors, friends, cats, whatever....

[woodywsu]

I personally think the best thing you could do is to catch and kill every bass you can get your hands on, at least in places like the snake and yakima rivers (not so much in the lakes discussed above).  There is no reason we should be releasing an invasive species to keep the population of said invasive species high.  This is especially true when said invasive species, namely small mouth bass, is eating ESA listed salmon and steelhead smolts by the thousands.  I applaud you for catching and eating all the bass you can.  Give them to your family, neighbors, friends, cats, whatever....

Agree. Smolt have too many predators between the birds, pennipeds, and fishes. Bass, walleye, pikeminnow spank the smolt every year. They need to be kept from the river and left in the lakes. practicing C&R is nice, but harvest is an important factor in bass management.

[wastickslinger]

Finally a few followers. I though I was aone here. 

[BIGINNER]

yes. thank you!!  finally.  lol  i was scared to comment untill i had more supporters..    

[wastickslinger]

Dont be scared of the know it alls. There are lots of them. Including me. 

[Black Plague]

just an FYI....the biologists are also saying that there are too many walleye in lake roosevelt and we should be keeping all the ones we catch...except maybe the really big ones...but the little ones are supposedly a big problem...

[woodywsu]

just a question, but how are they a problem? Not arguing just curious.

[MtnMuley]

There are a few lakes that we fish that its nothing to catch 10-15 5+lb smallies.

I think it's time for a Culmrite scale.

Really??

I, too, thought I was catching a bunch of 5 lbers until that damn Culmrite made me honest!  You'd be surprised at the amount of middle 4 lbers.

[Black Plague]

just a question, but how are they a problem? Not arguing just curious.

supposedly because the walleye are such a "veracious predator" they are all competing with each other and other species for food and space which some biologists suggest is why people are catching so many 12 inchers ...then there are other people who say that since there are so many 12 inchers now.....next year there will be more 15 inchers etc....but I don't know, all I do know is that a lot of trout fisherman are upset about the walleye and it seems nobody cares about walleye as long as trout inhabit the same water...but Im just going off of what I hear...its not concrete data ...

[walt]

That's why they rehabbed Sprague a few years ago.   

http://wdfw.wa.gov/factshts/sprague_lake_rehab_may07.htm

[bowhunterforever]

just an FYI....the biologists are also saying that there are too many walleye in lake roosevelt and we should be keeping all the ones we catch...except maybe the really big ones...but the little ones are supposedly a big problem...

There's to many small mouth, not walleye I know a few oldtimers who fished rossevelt back in the day and there were lots of 8LB plus fish walleye and now there hard to come buy Biologist arnt always right

[bowhunterforever]

Oh yea i forgot to mention smallmouth are out of control on Rosevelt/spokane arm! And i have heard for a few years theres going to be a bounty on them,I hope there is I hate the worm theving *censored*s sometimes