"Open" season

[apiazza]

This is bit of regulation question. From November to April it looks that there is a catch and immediate release requirement for all bass caught. So during this time of year are you not allowed to specifically target bass or is purely just no keeping of the catch? I'm not sure how much fishing I would be doing before April, but I figured it would be important to know if I wanted to go throw a line for a bit.

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[zippyduck]

That is one thing our state got right. You can target bass all year but it is a catch and immediate release from April 13 to June 14.
http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=sig_Events&DAY=ALL

[apiazza]

Ah. I didnt see that table. It is much clearer in the wording. Good find.

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[fishballer06]

That is one thing our state got right. You can target bass all year but it is a catch and immediate release from April 13 to June 14.
http://fbweb.pa.gov/Calendar/All_Gridview.aspx?TN=sig_Events&DAY=ALL

Let's be fair. The rule is honestly there to sell more trout stamps.

[zippyduck]

Let's be fair. The rule is honestly there to sell more trout stamps.

Do you think bass in many of our lakes would still be there if the season was not closed? Lots of fish killing mentality in our state. I am often asked why I would put a bass back by onlookers. My own mother in law is always asking for a bass to eat. And the overall wearing crowd could wipe out Pymy in the spring.

[fishballer06]

The overall wearing crowd could wipe out Pymy in the spring.

I literally just lost it out loud at work.


I do honestly think that the state closes our bass season to help sell more trout stamps. If I truly thought that PFBC cared about our bass populations, they would show us that they care (IE. stock bass, reduce limits, slots, etc). The only species that I ever hear about them stocking is trout, walleye, and muskie.

As far as a "fish killing mentality", I think the general public (not even the folks who don't fish), just assume that when you catch a fish, you keep it and eat it. Whenever I tell people that I fish every weekend, they always ask me "How much fish do you eat?!" I think the typical sportsman practices catch and release, or if they keep fish, it's panfish or walleye.

[zippyduck]

Fishballer you are dead on with the fish killing mentality. Everyone at work thinks I keep all the fish I catch. I personally don't eat much fish. But you would not believe how many people ask me for walleye.
I just tell them to come catch their own and it shuts most of them up.