Harvesting bluegill. - Bluegill - Big Bluegill2024-03-29T05:07:58Zhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/forum/topics/2036984:Topic:6369?commentId=2036984%3AComment%3A6617&feed=yes&xn_auth=nogreat discussion and one that…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-02-08:2036984:Comment:719132010-02-08T16:38:20.415Zshooterhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/shooter
great discussion and one that is as old as the hills,there seems to be two camps here . the kill'em and grill em camp,and the catch and release camp.<br />
i must admit i have a foot in both,we eat fish down here in Louisiana,it is not uncommon to have fish fries where we cook up 60 head or more depending on how many people are there.<br />
having said this, i thank during the spawn i probably release more big fish then at any outer time of the year.<br />
it is not rocket science,when the larger fish fertilize…
great discussion and one that is as old as the hills,there seems to be two camps here . the kill'em and grill em camp,and the catch and release camp.<br />
i must admit i have a foot in both,we eat fish down here in Louisiana,it is not uncommon to have fish fries where we cook up 60 head or more depending on how many people are there.<br />
having said this, i thank during the spawn i probably release more big fish then at any outer time of the year.<br />
it is not rocket science,when the larger fish fertilize the eggs in the nest,their genes are passed on to the fry.<br />
90% of my fishing is done in lake chicot,a two thousand acre natural lake bottom that had a dam added before world war two,by the Civilian Conservation Corps.<br />
i have fly fished this lake for the last fifty+ yrs. and have seen the blue gill and Chinquapin(red ear sunfish) populations fall off ,some of this is beacuse of fishing pressure and bad management ,and some is from non indiginous grass invasion into the shallow water where most of the pan fish spawn.<br />
here in Louisiana there is no creel limit on bluegill and red ear,or warmouth,i will leave this up to the biologist,although i thank they should have a limit on redear,but this requires studies which requires money,so the beat goes on.<br />
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gators eat my fish Great discussion thread. My o…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2010-02-05:2036984:Comment:714362010-02-05T05:43:47.904ZJohnny wilkinshttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/chicagofishing
Great discussion thread. My observation is that as the angler density increases, top fish are removed at a greater rate. The lake reaches its breaking point when there are no top predators available as all bass over 12" have been fished-out and the bluegill population has exploded.<br />
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On stunted lakes, near cities, it is essential to make bass catch & release only to keep the top aquatic predator culling the small & weak.<br />
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From all that discussion, I totally agree that any gill over 9" be…
Great discussion thread. My observation is that as the angler density increases, top fish are removed at a greater rate. The lake reaches its breaking point when there are no top predators available as all bass over 12" have been fished-out and the bluegill population has exploded.<br />
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On stunted lakes, near cities, it is essential to make bass catch & release only to keep the top aquatic predator culling the small & weak.<br />
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From all that discussion, I totally agree that any gill over 9" be returned or a slot limit - ( keep only gills between 6 - 8" ) - would work best.<br />
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Feeding works! The average size of the gills on one such stunted lake which is fished by our league has increased by about 1/3. Providing spikes, worms and ground bread crumb during our league fishing provides regular nutrients to some of the lake's bluegills.<br />
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Around the Chicago area, there are anglers who are from another country and/or don't read any regulations. The above only work if enforced. Lacking patrols, fines, I see poachers disregarding regulations and immigrant anglers taking any and all fish to eat. They take any size fish and can create fish cakes from the smallest of fish. Some don't care about species or regulations. I have witnessed 4 - 6" bass on stringers and in buckets on a near regular basis.<br />
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During the upcoming season, I will measure some of the fish from our events and share that on the boards. You will see how tiny the majority of our fish population is here in the Chicago area. One catch-and-release only lake does feature much larger fish- the largest in the area. I have however seen buckets of fish leaving that lake despite all the signs saying C&R ONLY. Still, this features the largest fish within a :45 minute drive from the city, hands down.<br />
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Just some thoughts. If you've read all of this po…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-11-01:2036984:Comment:624512009-11-01T02:17:20.946ZTim Overbaughhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/TimothyOverbaugh
If you've read all of this post and made it thus far, congratulations! You are probably a conservationist.<br />
First off, Boogieman, what are you smoking? Just kidding dude.<br />
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A lot of valid thoughts here. One great point Bruce had (and I agree with all of them) was in the spring, when the males are on the nests.<br />
Here in Minnesota, a good majority of our lakes are publicly managed by the Minnesota DNR, and they do the best they can to manage the fishery. One of the regulations we have, as well as…
If you've read all of this post and made it thus far, congratulations! You are probably a conservationist.<br />
First off, Boogieman, what are you smoking? Just kidding dude.<br />
<br />
A lot of valid thoughts here. One great point Bruce had (and I agree with all of them) was in the spring, when the males are on the nests.<br />
Here in Minnesota, a good majority of our lakes are publicly managed by the Minnesota DNR, and they do the best they can to manage the fishery. One of the regulations we have, as well as other states, is the time frame when you can harvest fish. With the main fish, walleye, northern, and bass, it's calculated from the time when that specie spawns. Let them spawn, a sacred ritual to be respected.<br />
Some species after spawning protect the nest and the fry. The bluegill is one of them.<br />
It's just too easy to catch bull bluegills off their nests. I don't think they're eating the bait; they're attacking it!<br />
Sunfish and crappie in Minnesota is open year round. I'm hoping someday our state regulates when you can fish them. Boogieman,
I'm sorry I may ha…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-27:2036984:Comment:619892009-10-27T12:43:11.767ZLord of the Fly , Rodshttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LordoftheFlyRods
Boogieman,<br />
I'm sorry I may have been misunderstood with my simplicity,but I was just trying to add my 2 cents worth. Fishing is susposed to be fun,and you sound like you would be lots of fun. I wouldn't have any problem catching a mess of big ole bream with you, I'll bring the shine and we'll catch them all.
Boogieman,<br />
I'm sorry I may have been misunderstood with my simplicity,but I was just trying to add my 2 cents worth. Fishing is susposed to be fun,and you sound like you would be lots of fun. I wouldn't have any problem catching a mess of big ole bream with you, I'll bring the shine and we'll catch them all. I went to sleep and woke up w…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-27:2036984:Comment:619812009-10-27T09:47:56.288Zbluegillboogiemanhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/Bluegillboogieman
I went to sleep and woke up with this reverlation Yer Lordship. I may have crossed the line . The Line Of Respect. There is a time and place fer anything. This discussion was meant to be serious. I know that 'cause I already had read every word of it awhile back. I've read a lot of this serious talk about makin' bluegill fishin' better on this site. Deep down, I am aware that no matter how I was raised, all this talk is being worked on in a subcommittee somewhere in the back of my mind. It's…
I went to sleep and woke up with this reverlation Yer Lordship. I may have crossed the line . The Line Of Respect. There is a time and place fer anything. This discussion was meant to be serious. I know that 'cause I already had read every word of it awhile back. I've read a lot of this serious talk about makin' bluegill fishin' better on this site. Deep down, I am aware that no matter how I was raised, all this talk is being worked on in a subcommittee somewhere in the back of my mind. It's tryin' to hash out our differences and find a way fer me to not only live and let live, but to help.<br />
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But, like you, (I suspect). I keep come back to my simpler thoughts. The ones about the wunderment, perfectedness and amazing resilientedness of Creation.<br />
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So, while the subcommittee is doin' it's thing, I feel a little creation of my own comin' on. I'm gonna' try to get outta' here with this catchy little tune, just fer you.<br />
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You draw yer lines<br />
And I'll get a longer pole<br />
Lordy.<br />
<br />
You release all yurn<br />
And I'll eat all mine<br />
Fry......Eyed<br />
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You draw yer line<br />
And I'll go line blind<br />
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We'll go fishin'<br />
On the managed sigh......eyed<br />
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Yer Lordship, Fishin' Buddy of Mine.<br />
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Boogieman Wait just a minute Yer Lordsh…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-27:2036984:Comment:619672009-10-27T01:11:40.760Zbluegillboogiemanhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/Bluegillboogieman
Wait just a minute Yer Lordship, I just re-re-read what you said. You are serious about this. So let's fish fair. You fish on that side of the line, I'll fish everywhere. You release everthing, I'll keep everything. You suck up to management, I'll suck up your shine! It's a wash. Everything is balanced, everybody is happy.<br />
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Boogieman
Wait just a minute Yer Lordship, I just re-re-read what you said. You are serious about this. So let's fish fair. You fish on that side of the line, I'll fish everywhere. You release everthing, I'll keep everything. You suck up to management, I'll suck up your shine! It's a wash. Everything is balanced, everybody is happy.<br />
<br />
Boogieman Everybody knows the moonshine…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-27:2036984:Comment:619662009-10-27T01:00:41.693Zbluegillboogiemanhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/Bluegillboogieman
Everybody knows the <b>moonshine is always better from R Kansas</b>. And are we talkin' upper management or middle management. "Cause one of 'em can almost have a good time and the other can almost stop one in it's tracks.<br />
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Boogieman
Everybody knows the <b>moonshine is always better from R Kansas</b>. And are we talkin' upper management or middle management. "Cause one of 'em can almost have a good time and the other can almost stop one in it's tracks.<br />
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Boogieman Ok, I never said that would w…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-27:2036984:Comment:619622009-10-27T00:36:45.547ZLord of the Fly , Rodshttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LordoftheFlyRods
Ok, I never said that would work down South , so here is another option for big bluegill mgmt. After every fish you catch that is over eight inches, you have to take a big slug of your favorite Alabama moonshine, this ought to reduce the harvest numbers and you still have a good time
Ok, I never said that would work down South , so here is another option for big bluegill mgmt. After every fish you catch that is over eight inches, you have to take a big slug of your favorite Alabama moonshine, this ought to reduce the harvest numbers and you still have a good time That'll never work around her…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-26:2036984:Comment:619572009-10-26T23:54:58.869Zbluegillboogiemanhttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/Bluegillboogieman
That'll never work around here Yer Lordship. Everybody knows <b>the fish is always bigger on the other side</b>. Around here, we just can't imagine a invisible line keepin' us away from 'em. I once got hung up on a barb wahr line out in the middle of a pond. After I went skinny dippin' to localize the problem and got unhung myself in the process, I shore enough found the big ones on the other side of that barb wahr line. I ain't imaginin' any of this fer management or nobody else. And there is…
That'll never work around here Yer Lordship. Everybody knows <b>the fish is always bigger on the other side</b>. Around here, we just can't imagine a invisible line keepin' us away from 'em. I once got hung up on a barb wahr line out in the middle of a pond. After I went skinny dippin' to localize the problem and got unhung myself in the process, I shore enough found the big ones on the other side of that barb wahr line. I ain't imaginin' any of this fer management or nobody else. And there is a difference in imaginin' and axeyou'lly puttin' up a barb wahr fence underwater. I still ain't laughin' about that. I got wahr cutters now. Ha Ha!<br />
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Boogieman How about this for pond manag…tag:bigbluegill.ning.com,2009-10-26:2036984:Comment:619062009-10-26T13:47:33.655ZLord of the Fly , Rodshttps://bigbluegill.ning.com/profile/LordoftheFlyRods
How about this for pond management, Always keep bluegill-bass ratio in balance, draw an imaginery line across the pond , keep all you want from one side and Never fish the other side,this would keep making room for the unfished side to fill the vacume left by the fish caught on the side you fish and the big brood stock on the unfished side would be undisturbed.
How about this for pond management, Always keep bluegill-bass ratio in balance, draw an imaginery line across the pond , keep all you want from one side and Never fish the other side,this would keep making room for the unfished side to fill the vacume left by the fish caught on the side you fish and the big brood stock on the unfished side would be undisturbed.