Send an email to the ODFW ! Ask for more!!!!!

[ExBassGuide]

ODFW Page (http://www.dfw.state.or.us/)

This is the Web page of Oregon dept. of fish and wildlife and you will find the link for contacting ODFW at the BOTTOM of that page!!!

Hello ODFW
We need to think about the need for some laws to protecting BIG bass (over five pounds)and a right to keep a big fish in the live well, for photos, to get the fishes weight and for the tournament guys to keep 5 bass in there live well! but all bass over 5 pounds MUST go back into the water that they came from!!! Could you make MORE lakes catch and release for big bass??? I was a guide for over 10 years for bass and crappie. I would even understand a one bass in a life time, but I do not like that much. I'm talking about lakes that bass are the main fish that people fish for. Big bass are too valuable to eat!
I would like to hear what you think about this! Thanks for your time!
Roger "ExBassGuide"

[FelonFinder]

I think you will need more than feelings and opinions. They will probably ask you to provide data, and won't care about Silver. Bass lakes=good, governmental management=bad.

Ah, here's an idea. All you guys sporting flashy bass boats sell them off, put the money toward a huge bass lake, and you can all run it and catch bass till the cows come home.

[Jon55]

Roger, This sounds like a fair idea. One thing the idea does not consider is: What do you do if you catch a probable record bass and you don't have a live well? Bassmaster mag said that record bass must be killed because they must be examined. You can't just take measurements, weight, and photos then release.

Also, this line from your letter is unclear. What are you saying?


I would even understand a one bass in a life time, but I do not like that much.



Thank you for all you do.

Jon

[ExBassGuide]

To protect the big fish of the state is the ONLY SMART thing that should be done. Look at the "loan a lunker" progran in Texas! That state understands the keeping to BIGGEST bass in the water makes the state LOTS of money. Almost every one would like to see more lakes made into C&R for any bass over 5 pounds. There is no reason to eat a bass of that size or bigger. Do you know how long it takes a bass to get to 6 pounds in the northwest? More than 15 years (data from a tagging program in Washington state). If that was the same for salmon, No one could fish for them!
I'm not talking about making all lakes C&R only but we need more! Most good bass fishermen would NEVER keep a bass over 6 pounds. The fish is worth more than food or a skin mount bass!
I think in most lakes in the NorthWest no bass over 5 pounds should be kept. I do understand about thining samller sizes from time to time. I'm not asking for a "loan a lunker" program around hear. I'm just asking to protect the big fish that are already in our water!