Finalized Regulation Proposals For C&R Smallmouth on the MAC

[midgeman]

Terrible news for smallmouth fishing

http://www.dnr.state.md.us/fisheries/pdfs/2011ProposedRegulationSummaryforInlandFisheries.pdf

 

[Fishidiot]

Thanks for the heads up Midge. I've long hoped the MD DNR would expand the C&R sections of the Potomac/Monocacy rivers. To be honest, I doubt that this change will have all that bad an affect on the river but I still think it's a step in the wrong direction (although it would simplify the regs making 'em easier to enforce and understand by casual anglers).

At least MD has some C&R areas for smallies. I don't believe PA has any - and to make it worse we encourage folks to kill 18" SMBs in rivers. :-(

 

[midgeman]

I am with you too fishidiot. I have hoped for years that the DNR would expand the regs all the way to Harpers Ferry. I fish mainly above the mouth of Monocacy and do very well. However, I'm just curious as too what effect keeping the smallies in the c&r area will have.

 

[Mike]

We once had a C&R area on a stream in SW Pa, Dunkard Creek. It did nothing to improve the population or size distribution. As with trout, if harvest mortality is not exceptionally high special regs won't work.

 

[j_man]

Not good...