[JBFranklin]

Just finishing up 4 days camping at Hilliard’s Bay at west side of lake. Rained on and off each day, but I Love it here. Great campground, but shocking water levels. High for entire area and lake. No dock at boat launch as it was washed out but people were making it work. Fishing was good, we were hooking up shallower than usual. Water was very murky everywhere. Friday was insanely choppy, but all the hard cores were out around Shaw’s Point. Saw a guy pull out a large 1meter pike in about 10ft of water, off campground while jigging for wallys.

My main point... how is fishing off this bridge even allowed (right at main access of key spawning ground?). I think understand he Swain is in spring but still this just encourage poor fishing practises. During a couple hours off water, the boy and I drove to the bridge to check it out. On Saturday at about 12pm, there must have been 75 people with lines over edge. I witnessed so many things, like a guy hooking up and reeling the fish all the way up from water to bridge (20ft) and over railing. He let it flop around on the ground while he ran to his box about 50 ft away to get pliers. He came back, unhooked the fish, picked it by tail with pliers and dropped it down the gutter which is basically a hole in bridge to water below. Saw many more instances. Brutal behaviour. Soon as we get home, I’ll be at writing a note to fish and game.

Maybe it’s me, but conservation includes proper catch and release practises.


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