I have to add that their typo on the first line of page 6 has got to be one of the best of all time… "To reduce fishing morality"… after dealing with the "harvest as much as I can" mentality of the darkhouse guys, then seeing pictures of PILES of pre-spawn walleye on stringers because the run started early, and constant complaints of small bluegills except early ice, or on beds… I really don't think reducing fishing morality is what they need to worry about

Before that got to the NRC the regulation change was very briefly discussed in the Warmwater Resources Steering Committee. We didn't spend much time on it because the social impact was positive and there was no biological concern (the change was based on sound science).

Reading through the changes, the delayed release for sake of tournament bass fishing seems like a poor idea. There have been several studies on what happens when bedding fish have been taken out of their defensive position even for short periods of time.

The Pike reg seems like it is somewhat based on science…but is there math that supports a 2.5X increase in take rate? Similar to the discussion at the banquet, every breeding fish has some lineage that should be supported in a predictive a math model for supporting fish from being removed from the population. I think hearing how the relatively low increase in Musky exploitation, on the chain, has a large trickle-down impact; it seems like the noble pike may suffer a similar fate. I guess I am curious if the increase is based on math or simply determine by a guesstimate once it is determined that an opportunity exists.

"Tory" said:
Reading through the changes, the delayed release for sake of tournament bass fishing seems like a poor idea. There have been several studies on what happens when bedding fish have been taken out of their defensive position even for short periods of time.

Your point is actually why this is a good idea. It opens the possibility for tournaments outside the spawning and hot water periods. Much like the muskellunge season, the bass season doesn't do much to protect spawning/nesting fish. With some give and take this could eventually give way to bass tournaments taking place during cold water periods of spring and fall. Currently most tournaments take place during the nesting period in June and the hottest water of July and August.

"Tory" said:

The Pike reg seems like it is somewhat based on science…but is there math that supports a 2.5X increase in take rate? Similar to the discussion at the banquet, every breeding fish has some lineage that should be supported in a predictive a math model for supporting fish from being removed from the population. I think hearing how the relatively low increase in Musky exploitation, on the chain, has a large trickle-down impact; it seems like the noble pike may suffer a similar fate. I guess I am curious if the increase is based on math or simply determine by a guesstimate once it is determined that an opportunity exists.

During recent years, after the reduced bag was put in place, there was no change in pike population on the St Clair system. Going back to the old regulation made sense on that water. Keep in mind that there is probably not any water in the state we know more about, concerning the fish population, than St Clair.