OOS Fish

[buck]

.

 

[remyboy1]

tough call eh? I had similar happen--I was also told that if a CO sees you putting an injured fish out of his misery and sees the bleeding they might let it fly.

 

[buck]

.

 

[Rain-Bow]

I was going to start a thread about this, but I think I'll post it here. The truth is, we shouldn't even be using any baits or lures that OOS fish bite in their spawning areas. Even if we are targeting other species. I think people are often fishing for panfish and hoping they catch a bass. It's the same deal with "sucker" fisherman on tributaries. This topic's been brought up several times in the past on other forums and it seems the best thing to do in that situation to avoid a fine would be to throw the fish back even if it's going to die. One of the CO's specialties in Ontario is fining people who keep OOS fish (regardless of the reason).

 

[buck]

.

 

[NADO]

Can't keep em regardless of their condition. It is an unfortunate waste when it happens but if they allowed mortally wounded fish to be kept it would just be another excuse for poachers.

 

[masfish]

Can't keep em regardless of their condition. It is an unfortunate waste when it happens but if they allowed mortally wounded fish to be kept it would just be another excuse for poachers.

Bingo. Last thing we need is giving poachers more excuses to game the system. It's a shame when a fish gets injured, but least by returning the injured fish into the water you are feeding the ecosystem, and not depleting it.


Rainbow - it's hard to target one particular fish specie without inflicting any 'collateral damage'. Bass are aggressive feeders, and will strike much of the same baits and lures I may present for pike, perch or crappie. The most responsible thing to do when incidentally stumbling upon the spawning grounds of OOS fish is to handle and release said fish as promotly and gently as possible, and moving to another area of the lake.

 

[rich_ace_G]

Regardless if you keep an OOS fish in good faith. CO's won't be too forgiving. They will weigh in the situation and most of the time it won't be in your favor. You caught an OOS fish and decided to take it home. Explaining that it was bleeding and it might die won't sound too good to anybody specially if they don't know you personally. It will sound as an excuse to get away with it. You did the right thing to let it go and gave it a chance to live instead of deciding for it's fate. Bass and Pike is what I avoid during they're spawning because once they're done spawning. they tend to hit anything that mimics food.

 

[iJay]

Throw it back bleeding or not. Nature wont allow it to goto waste.

 

[Dugger]

Please remove all barbs from your jigs, plugs etc etc..... They are an archaic throwback to the stone age we simply do not need anymore.... I have been barbless for close to 15 years and lovin' it!.... and so are the fish