In Fisherman article " A Case for Selective Bluegill Harvest" - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-29T12:31:23Zhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/in-fisherman-article-a-case-for-selective-bluegill-harvest?commentId=2036984%3AComment%3A664551&feed=yes&xn_auth=noFantastic article. It should…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-19:2036984:Comment:6663222016-04-19T17:24:40.333ZDavid Mericalhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/DavidMerical
<p>Fantastic article. It should be REQUIRED READING for all freshwater anglers! For non-suscribers to the magazine, I wish there was an online link to the article, so the link can be posted everywhere. Let me know if there IS a link. I'll keep looking for it. Thanks!</p>
<p>Fantastic article. It should be REQUIRED READING for all freshwater anglers! For non-suscribers to the magazine, I wish there was an online link to the article, so the link can be posted everywhere. Let me know if there IS a link. I'll keep looking for it. Thanks!</p> Here in Ohio there is no size…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6644612016-04-11T15:27:45.497ZMike Cooperhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/MikeCooper
<p>Here in Ohio there is no size or creel limits on bluegill. In most public waters an 8" bluegill is a monster. If I want bigger I have to head for a private pond, and the owners of those ponds DO set limits! Take more than allowed - don't come back! I know of several people who are no longer allowed to fish some of those ponds.</p>
<p>What I don't understand (and agree with) is being allowed to take all you want, and any size you want to use for bait. A lot of people head to the local lake…</p>
<p>Here in Ohio there is no size or creel limits on bluegill. In most public waters an 8" bluegill is a monster. If I want bigger I have to head for a private pond, and the owners of those ponds DO set limits! Take more than allowed - don't come back! I know of several people who are no longer allowed to fish some of those ponds.</p>
<p>What I don't understand (and agree with) is being allowed to take all you want, and any size you want to use for bait. A lot of people head to the local lake when they plan a trip for catfish, fill a cooler (I've even seen a big tank in a pickup truck bed) with big bluegill, then let most of them die and throw them away. I think there should be some kind of "wanton waste" regulations for both fish and wildlife. Take all you want (up to the legal limit), but use all you take!</p> Agreed. Like Walt, I have see…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6645562016-04-11T05:07:56.088ZJim Gronawhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JimGronaw
<p>Agreed. Like Walt, I have seen bluegill fisheries spiral down to the point where the rare 8-inch fish is now considered 'large' in lakes where 10-inch fish were once relatively common. Especially in several southern PA lakes where the limit continues to be 50 fish a day per angler and most anglers choose to only harvest the very largest fish in the system.</p>
<p>Crappie fisheries tend to spike and fall in a 4 to 7 year cycle in many Back East lakes, recovering with larger average sized fish…</p>
<p>Agreed. Like Walt, I have seen bluegill fisheries spiral down to the point where the rare 8-inch fish is now considered 'large' in lakes where 10-inch fish were once relatively common. Especially in several southern PA lakes where the limit continues to be 50 fish a day per angler and most anglers choose to only harvest the very largest fish in the system.</p>
<p>Crappie fisheries tend to spike and fall in a 4 to 7 year cycle in many Back East lakes, recovering with larger average sized fish when conditions and spawning success dictate improvement. However, I have never seen a top-line bluegill fishery recover likewise once angler glut and overharvest takes it's toll. Once average size drops significantly it stays there, or else continues to decline with fish smaller yet.</p>
<p>If you are fortunate enough to have a quality public or private bluegill fishery in your area treat it well and with respect. We don't all have the same blessings as others in different areas throughout the nation.</p> Very similar situation here t…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6645512016-04-11T04:54:52.896ZJim Gronawhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JimGronaw
<p>Very similar situation here too, Jim. I know it may seem selfish to keep good bluegill waters to myself, close kin and anglers I trust. But with the internet and continued realization of these declining fisheries, I just feel the gills need a break, especially in public waters, which is where I catch 75% of my 10 inch fish.</p>
<p>My very largest fish, however, are caught usually in private venues. Of the 174 ten-inch gills I caught in 2015 probably 130 of them came from three small public…</p>
<p>Very similar situation here too, Jim. I know it may seem selfish to keep good bluegill waters to myself, close kin and anglers I trust. But with the internet and continued realization of these declining fisheries, I just feel the gills need a break, especially in public waters, which is where I catch 75% of my 10 inch fish.</p>
<p>My very largest fish, however, are caught usually in private venues. Of the 174 ten-inch gills I caught in 2015 probably 130 of them came from three small public lakes that could be pillaged if the word got into the wrong hands. Of those larger fish, only 8 of them exceeded the 11-inch mark...and all of the 11-inch plus fish came from private waters. And this is 174 bluegills out of a total of 4,933 gill I caught during the year...showing just how rare a legitimate 10-inch fish can be .</p>
<p>Thankfully Maryland has enacted a 15-fish limit on gills since the early 2000's. Still, some anglers more than double dip and ignore the laws. I completely understand the need for keeping things quiet.</p>
<p></p> HERE IN TN. THERE IS NO LIMI…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6644502016-04-11T02:36:09.958Zcarl hendrixhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/carlhendrix
<p>HERE IN TN. THERE IS NO LIMIT; OR SIZE LIMIT ON BLUEGILL;; BUT; THERE IS FOR SHELL CRACKERS / RED EARS;; GENERALLY;; IF YOU FIND SOME BLUE GILLS IN THE 8 INCH RANGE;; YOU FOUND A HONEY HOLE !! MOST PEOPLE HERE ; FISH FOR THE MONEY FISH;; THE BASS !! FOLLOWED BY;; CATFISH;; CRAPPIE; STRIPE;; AND JUST ABOUT IN THAT ORDER !! VERY FEW PEOPLE; TARGET BLUEGILL;; ON OCCASSION;; A GRAND PARENT WILL TAKE THE YOUNGER KIDS OUT FOR A DAY OF FUN.. MOST ANGLERS HERE; CONSIDER A BLUE GILL; ALMOST A…</p>
<p>HERE IN TN. THERE IS NO LIMIT; OR SIZE LIMIT ON BLUEGILL;; BUT; THERE IS FOR SHELL CRACKERS / RED EARS;; GENERALLY;; IF YOU FIND SOME BLUE GILLS IN THE 8 INCH RANGE;; YOU FOUND A HONEY HOLE !! MOST PEOPLE HERE ; FISH FOR THE MONEY FISH;; THE BASS !! FOLLOWED BY;; CATFISH;; CRAPPIE; STRIPE;; AND JUST ABOUT IN THAT ORDER !! VERY FEW PEOPLE; TARGET BLUEGILL;; ON OCCASSION;; A GRAND PARENT WILL TAKE THE YOUNGER KIDS OUT FOR A DAY OF FUN.. MOST ANGLERS HERE; CONSIDER A BLUE GILL; ALMOST A PEST; GOOD FOR NOTHING; BUT BAIT FOR BIG STRIPE ! VERY MUCH LOOKED DOWN ON !! THE TOURNAMENT BASS ANGLERS HERE; ABOUT EVERY WEEK END;; JUST ABOUT RUN THE WATER ! WONDER WHAT WOULD HAPPEN;; IF WE HAD BLUE GILL TOURNAMENTS;; TO GET ATTENTION ?? NOT TO DECIMATE THE MIGHTY BLUE GILL-- BUT TO BRING AWARENESS;; THERE IS ANOTHER GREAT LITTLE FIGHTING FISH WELL WORTH THE EFFORT !!</p> Declining bluegill size in pu…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6643452016-04-11T02:36:02.913ZWalt Foremanhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/WaltForeman
<p>Declining bluegill size in public waters is not just a problem in northern waters. I have seen it happen many times on waters I fish here in Tennessee, have seen multiple public lakes with top-shelf fishing for large bluegill get hammered with fishing pressure and never recover. Maybe someday enough anglers will tire of allowing those who overharvest to ruin it for everyone and demand change. Until then, it will only get worse. </p>
<p>Declining bluegill size in public waters is not just a problem in northern waters. I have seen it happen many times on waters I fish here in Tennessee, have seen multiple public lakes with top-shelf fishing for large bluegill get hammered with fishing pressure and never recover. Maybe someday enough anglers will tire of allowing those who overharvest to ruin it for everyone and demand change. Until then, it will only get worse. </p> some lakes in illinois have a…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6645402016-04-11T02:31:08.473Zjim cosgrovehttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/jimcosgrove
<p>some lakes in illinois have a slot limit for crappie,others have a limit of 15 -25.bluegill have NO SIZE OR HARVEST LIMITS.some site specific limits are posted.some redears are stocked here and there but bluegills are on their own.thats why whenever i do find a spot with 8 inchers and over i return every fish and keep their location between me and my maker.i am still stunned when i catch a 10- 11 inch gill in my area in public water.they protect crappies,perch,catfish bass but not…</p>
<p>some lakes in illinois have a slot limit for crappie,others have a limit of 15 -25.bluegill have NO SIZE OR HARVEST LIMITS.some site specific limits are posted.some redears are stocked here and there but bluegills are on their own.thats why whenever i do find a spot with 8 inchers and over i return every fish and keep their location between me and my maker.i am still stunned when i catch a 10- 11 inch gill in my area in public water.they protect crappies,perch,catfish bass but not bluegills.</p> Here in Arkansas our limit is…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6646272016-04-11T02:18:02.172ZLord of the Fly , Rodshttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LordoftheFlyRods
<p>Here in Arkansas our limit is 50 bluegill over 4 inches , we don't have the problems that folks have up north , we have a longer growing season and most of waters are controlled by Mother Nature , our oxbow lakes are restocked at least 4 times a year, they are not fish farms , they are the wild free range " True Trophy's." We are bless here with everything from Trophy Brown and Rainbow Trout, Walleye to the Humble Bluegill, fishing here is fun , I have been doing this all my life and have…</p>
<p>Here in Arkansas our limit is 50 bluegill over 4 inches , we don't have the problems that folks have up north , we have a longer growing season and most of waters are controlled by Mother Nature , our oxbow lakes are restocked at least 4 times a year, they are not fish farms , they are the wild free range " True Trophy's." We are bless here with everything from Trophy Brown and Rainbow Trout, Walleye to the Humble Bluegill, fishing here is fun , I have been doing this all my life and have been Blessed to experience this , Thanks to the Big Man up there ! LOFR<a target="_self" href="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059854472?profile=original"><img class="align-full" src="http://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/2059854472?profile=original" width="640"/></a></p>
<p></p> Good read..........most state…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6646152016-04-11T01:23:30.296ZJeffrey D. Abneyhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/JeffreyDavidAbney
<p>Good read..........most states won't invest or protect a particular fishery unless it's a "cash cow" like the largemouth...........other examples are the Striped Bass in the Mid Atlantic and the Red Drum in South Carolina.......lot's of revenue generated means nature and politics will cross........the bluegill has never received that status............the four states I maintain an annual license have high limits or none at all.....</p>
<p>South Carolina-30......North…</p>
<p>Good read..........most states won't invest or protect a particular fishery unless it's a "cash cow" like the largemouth...........other examples are the Striped Bass in the Mid Atlantic and the Red Drum in South Carolina.......lot's of revenue generated means nature and politics will cross........the bluegill has never received that status............the four states I maintain an annual license have high limits or none at all.....</p>
<p>South Carolina-30......North Carolina-30...........Virginia-50.........and Louisiana- No Limit.............</p>
<p></p> The state of Indiana consider…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2016-04-11:2036984:Comment:6646132016-04-11T00:59:58.614ZTony Livingstonhttp://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TonyLivingston
<p>The state of Indiana considers a six inch bluegill to be of keeper size, and they manage with this in mind. Wish they would think a little more along the lines of producing bigger bluegills.</p>
<p>The state of Indiana considers a six inch bluegill to be of keeper size, and they manage with this in mind. Wish they would think a little more along the lines of producing bigger bluegills.</p>