Should trophy fish be easy or difficult to catch?

[fishpro]

Quick poll to see what people think - Do you like the idea of having large/trophy fish more readily available and easy to catch, or should they be more difficult and rare?

Add any extra thoughts in the comments section.

[Bigtoad]

Originally Posted by fishpro

Quick poll to see what people think - Do you like the idea of having large fish more readily available and easy to catch, or should they be more difficult and rare?

Add any extra thoughts in the comments section.

I would like large fish to be at least available, which if we're talking trout lakes in Alberta, is not always the case....very rarely the case.

Theoretically, even though there might be more large fish in a waterbody, they should be more challenging to catch. Look at the Bow river for example: more large fish per km than most rivers in the world; however, how many fishermen (even veteran ones) have left the Bow scratching their heads and soothing their egos on many days. Of course, there are also the days that you can do no wrong, which are the ones that keep us coming back.

I think there are some people that think that by making stricter regs, and thus more large fish, that somehow the fish are going to be easy to catch. I don't think that's the case. They get smart after getting stung a couple of times. The challenge is in knowing there is a good possibility of catching a big fish and then trying to get it to bite. I'd much rather fish all day for the chance of a big fish than catch a bunch of 12" stockers.

And of course there needs to be put and take fisheries as well where you can chuck powerbait all day with your kids and keep a bucket-full of 12" stockers. I'm just saying that my preference is for fishing places where you have the chance to catch bigger fish.

Cheers.

[TROLLER]

Originally Posted by Bigtoad

I would like large fish to be at least available, which if we're talking trout lakes in Alberta, is not always the case....very rarely the case.

Theoretically, even though there might be more large fish in a waterbody, they should be more challenging to catch. Look at the Bow river for example: more large fish per km than most rivers in the world; however, how many fishermen (even veteran ones) have left the Bow scratching their heads and soothing their egos on many days. Of course, there are also the days that you can do no wrong, which are the ones that keep us coming back.

I think there are some people that think that by making stricter regs, and thus more large fish, that somehow the fish are going to be easy to catch. I don't think that's the case. They get smart after getting stung a couple of times. The challenge is in knowing there is a good possibility of catching a big fish and then trying to get it to bite. I'd much rather fish all day for the chance of a big fish than catch a bunch of 12" stockers.

And of course there needs to be put and take fisheries as well where you can chuck powerbait all day with your kids and keep a bucket-full of 12" stockers. I'm just saying that my preference is for fishing places where you have the chance to catch bigger fish.

Cheers.

Police Outpost is the place for trohpy trout. It now has a one fish limit min. 50cm and no more ice fishing.

Easy to manage in either a tube or small pontoon with lot's of good trout.

[canadiantdi]

I can't see why it would be a bad thing to have more big fish in our local waters.

[uplander]

I think big fish should be available for everyone without to much difficulty.

not so easy that they arnt a trophy anymore because they are cuaght so ofetn but a little more frequently caught

[yada]

if it was easy they wont be trophy anymore. They are only trophies because they are rare and difficult to catch.

[rapala76]

Should be hard to catch or they wouldn't be called trophy's

[canadiantdi]

Originally Posted by yada

if it was easy they wont be trophy anymore. They are only trophies because they are rare and difficult to catch.

They would still be just as fun to catch. Do we really want less big fish around, just so we can show off the rare big one?

[rapala76]

Originally Posted by canadiantdi

They would still be just as fun to catch. Do we really want less big fish around, just so we can show off the rare big one?

No just more C&R so more people can enjoy a trophy

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by yada

if it was easy they wont be trophy anymore. They are only trophies because they are rare and difficult to catch.

x2 Catching trophy fish should be reserved for anglers that challenge themselves to catch one. Like this guy:

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=123352

[packhuntr]

All fisheries in Ab should be managed to be healthy fisheries. Large fish are nothing more than a bi product of proper management. Wether that makes large fish more accessible to anglers or not is moot point.

[burbotman]

Originally Posted by HunterDave

x2 Catching trophy fish should be reserved for anglers that challenge themselves to catch one. Like this guy:

http://www.outdoorsmenforum.ca/showthread.php?t=123352

Which is why there should not be a one size fits all approach. Set up a few C and R Trophy lakes that would give those that would like better odds at a trophy.

Set up other lakes with high limits and no size restrictions for those to fill their freezers and for those that think it should be a challenge to catch a trophy.

Win win win. (or lose depending on the lake)

As I said on the other thread, why not make something world class. For those that get bored with catching too many 20lbers, I am sure there are other lakes they can fish.

It is about creating an enviroment that can reach its potential not just about making it easy.

Originally Posted by canadiantdi

I can't see why it would be a bad thing to have more big fish in our local waters.

Too have more big fish in our local waters, maybe people should practice catch and release. People need to take a course to get a hunting licence, they should have a course to get a fishing licence. That otta keep " more big fish" in our local water!

And of course the trophys should be a fight to get , gotta work harder to catch something worth while!

[Dewey Cox]

Of course I want to catch more trophy fish more easily.
Anyone who says differently is not telling the truth.
But if they were easily got would they really be trophies?

[alodar]

Originally Posted by Dewey Cox

Of course I want to catch more trophy fish more easily.
Anyone who says differently is not telling the truth.
But if they were easily got would they really be trophies?

exactly trophy fish are trophies for a reason

[Speckle55]

History on Wab

spearfishing(years ago was allowed) in Wab has shown bigger fish than all the post and info i have seen rod or ice fishing

so is there a chance of bigger (yes)

Food for Thought
David

[BeeGuy]

Originally Posted by fishpro

Quick poll to see what people think - Do you like the idea of having large/trophy fish more readily available and easy to catch, or should they be more difficult and rare?

Add any extra thoughts in the comments section.

Do you mean in Alberta?

[BBJTKLE&FISHINGADVENTURES]

Damn rights a Trophy should be hard to catch , shouldn't be able to catch them cast after cast . That would only happen in a perfect world . I think it would also take away from the fun .

The thing about fishing you never know what your going to get , one cast could be a 18 lb walleye , or a 1 pound perch . That is the thing I like you never know what your going to get . You can target big fish all you want but just because you are doesn't mean they are going to play along .

[Fish-killer]

Maybe if people stop being Lazy and actually hike or walk more than 1 KM to a spot on a lake or river, Maybe you guys can catch something big!!!!


Upper K lake needs to be stocked with Rainbows again. Enough with bulls. Its been since 2004 since they have stocked rainbows!

[TyreeUM]

Originally Posted by Fish-killer

Maybe if people stop being Lazy and actually hike or walk more than 1 KM to a spot on a lake or river, Maybe you guys can catch something big!!!!

haha been thinking this the whole time I was reading this thread. I don't understand why people that drive to the closest lake, drill holes in the same location, drop down a five of diamonds think they should be catching "trophy fish" like the people that post pictures of large fish on this forum. This question asked in this thread just seems so stupid.

[whitetail Junkie]

Originally Posted by TyreeUM

haha been thinking this the whole time I was reading this thread. I don't understand why people that drive to the closest lake, drill holes in the same location, drop down a five of diamonds think they should be catching "trophy fish" like the people that post pictures of large fish on this forum. This question asked in this thread just seems so stupid.

isnt that how the preacher caught the world record walleye through the ice at tobin?

x2 this thread is Gay!

[TyreeUM]

Originally Posted by whitetail Junkie

isnt that how the preacher caught the world record walleye through the ice at tobin?

x2 this thread is Gay!

HAHA ok you got me on that one, damnit!

I think the "yes" people are reading this question "Do you want to catch a trophy fish?" If they were easier to catch than why would you care all that much that you even caught one? If I could catch a 35 pound pike everytime I went out fishing, it would ruin the fun of catching a 35 pound pike. Trust me on this one!

[drhu22]

Originally Posted by fishpro

Quick poll to see what people think - Do you like the idea of having large/trophy fish more readily available and easy to catch, or should they be more difficult and rare?

Add any extra thoughts in the comments section.

I think 7-11 should sell them.

[HunterDave]

Originally Posted by drhu22

I think 7-11 should sell them.

[drhu22]

Originally Posted by drhu22

I think 7-11 should sell them.

It would create more jobs, and boost the economy!

[Sundancefisher]

Originally Posted by fishpro

Quick poll to see what people think - Do you like the idea of having large/trophy fish more readily available and easy to catch, or should they be more difficult and rare?

Add any extra thoughts in the comments section.

What is the definition of:

1) More Readily Available versus

2) More difficult to rare

Is fishing for 10 hours hard in the right area and catching one readily available?

Is catching one a year readily available?

[anthony5]

Trophy Fish are called just that for a reason, they are rare and difficult to catch. Most lakes have them, nobody's fault you can't catch them, been there done that! If a trophy walleye is considered to be 42" long and a certain lake can produce them all the time. then it's just another walleye. If a trophy pike is considered to be 46" long and a few lakes produce them, then they are just another 46" pike. If you can catch these fish all the time then it becomes the norm, LA DEE DAH, but when you are out fishing lake X and hook on to something that is not the norm, 40" walleye, 54 "pike 50" lake trout, these are the real trophys, because it happens every once in a blue moon not every time you go fishing. If all you catch is large fish regularly from a certain number of lakes and then this becomes HO HUM then what? Don't know about any other fisherpeople, but it's all about the chase for me and not always the catch, but it is always a rush when I latch onto something that is rather large.

sounds like people are debating what is fisheries management.
im no bio but healthy is a triangle with few at the top and many at the bottom.

i get really sad when i see someone harvest a trophy fish. we go out fishing hoping to catch those fish and when you harvest one there is one less. it provides no real value in your freezer or on your table over a medium sized fish. i dont understand the concept of harvesting it. take a picture or a video. its much more rewarding.

doesnt it feel better knowing you have a chance to come back and get it again when it might be even bigger. plus the fact that a spawn happens once a year so it puts more fry into the lake to carry on.

i totally favour slot sizes. im not a fan of C&R only. i would like to see a weekend or a day a year to at least enjoy harvesting a particular species.

stagger those around the province so people can travel diff places and enjoy if they like.

enjoy our fishing. we are very lucky with the lack of pollution, beauty of the landscape, variety of fish to catch. it could be much worse.

[Bigtoad]

Originally Posted by anthony5

Trophy Fish are called just that for a reason, they are rare and difficult to catch. Most lakes have them, nobody's fault you can't catch them, been there done that!

I totally disagree with this statement. Could you have gone out to Pigeon and caught a trophy walleye after the collapse of the fishery? Doubt it. Same for Gull there for a while as well with walleye and pike. And you can't tell me you can go to Struble Lake and catch a 24" rainbow. It's not going to happen. I don't care how good of a fishermen you think you are or what "secret" flavour of powerbait you concoct, it just would not be possible. Apart from a very small handful of fish, they probably did not exist in those lakes for a while.

At that time, those fisheries were not healthy (and I'm still not convinced Pigeon and Gull are healthy either... but they are improving). And Struble, well it is what it is and probably will just be a put and take fishery forever, which is fine.

The argument for trophy fish being "more readily available" is merely a statement that a fishery is not healthy = no pyramid in age/size class. The top 1/3 to 2/3 of the pyramid is cut off. I just want healthy fisheries. I don't need to catch huge fish on every cast. I love finding new places to fish and walking some felt off of my boots to find them. I love the challenge.

But I'm sorry, this is not a fishing contest! This has absolutely nothing to do with someone being able to catch big fish and others can't. This is not about doing your homework or putting in the hours or any of that BS. Sorry to tell you this, but it isn't about YOU!!!

It's about some fisheries in this province not being healthy. It's about SRD sitting on their hands as the population of fishermen increases and refusing to change regulations until a fishery collapses (ex. bulltrout, pike, walleye) and then suddenly reacting to it instead of being proactive and see the writing on the wall before it happens.