Late Fall fishing on the NYC Reservoirs....

[JOHN G]

a slot wouldn't work , for the same reason: they don't have the manpower, nor , desire, to enforce....

[SlowFISH]

a slot wouldn't work , for the same reason: they don't have the manpower, nor , desire, to enforce....

There should be catch and release for bass only (Trout are stocked for anglers - so not fighting that battle) - as John pointed out previously - NYC was quick to kill selling a boat on their property - how the hell they let people harvest their waters for profit is crazy..... maybe we just need to push that line of questioning at them.

And yes - it doesn't solve manpower... BUT - it's alot easier to manage "NO YOU CAN'T - PERIOD" than having DEP officers needing to measure fish. You see a orange bucket - look in it - easy.

J.

[NYCAngler]

There should be catch and release for bass only (Trout are stocked for anglers - so not fighting that battle) - as John pointed out previously - NYC was quick to kill selling a boat on their property - how the hell they let people harvest their waters for profit is crazy..... maybe we just need to push that line of questioning at them.

And yes - it doesn't solve manpower... BUT - it's alot easier to manage "NO YOU CAN'T - PERIOD" than having DEP officers needing to measure fish. You see a orange bucket - look in it - easy.

J.

Well said, I couldn't agree more.

[JOHN G]

I am all for catch and release mandatory for bass on the reservoirs....

[basshunter13]

I am all for catch and release mandatory for bass on the reservoirs....

If it was catch an release only for bass every outting would be dinker central. Bass would not grow to potential bc of over population limiting food source. This has been proven.

[SlowFISH]

If it was catch an release only for bass every outting would be dinker central. Bass would not grow to potential bc of over population limiting food source. This has been proven.

I don't disagree with the science of your statement... but personally - I'd take my chances with overpopulation vs. seeing lakes treated as profit centers and taking of pretty much anything with gills.

If someone wants to catch a few and eat - I have no problem there - and to your point - it can help manage the cookie cutters - but we are talking catching to sell.... so the more you take out of the lake - the more money you make - which I'd assume they are harvesting all they can each trip - not just what they need for a meal or two.

J.

[jfrancho]

I agree that 100% catch and release only isn't the solution for this, but has selective harvest been proven on a body as big as one of these reservoirs? I'm only familiar with Bob Lusk and Tom Mann's research into growing huge bass, which is focused on small bodies of water. - what we would call ponds or small lakes. Bob's plans usually involve feeders as well. Anything related to bugger bodies of water seems to be from TPWD and their successful Share-A-Lunker program. It seems the illegal harvest on those reservoirs could be removing the big bass DNA from the gene pool, no pun intended. At any rate, with state funding as it is, you won't see the necessary actions and enforcement to carry out such an endeavor any time soon.

[JOHN G]

At any rate, with state funding as it is, you won't see the necessary actions and enforcement to carry out such an endeavor any time soon.

EXACTLY! why it won't happen....

[jfrancho]

Not until one of these scoundrels poisons the water hole.... then, maybe.

[SlowFISH]

Not until one of these scoundrels poisons the water hole.... then, maybe.

Don't even joke about that.... they suspended all fishing in the 'Voirs after 911.... that would be the last nail in fishing in these lakes.... as the only thing easier to manage than catch and release is no trespassing.

J.

[NYCAngler]

At any rate, with state funding as it is, you won't see the necessary actions and enforcement to carry out such an endeavor any time soon.

EXACTLY! why it won't happen....

With generating revenue being a priority, the City or NYS should consider an increase in penalties for poaching. Like first offense is $1000 per fish and confiscation of the vehicle that was providing transport. 2nd offense would be a minimum of double the financial penalties and jail time. Make it public knowledge and hopefully that could serve as a deterrent.

[secjurny]

a slap on the wrist and sent home isn't enough to shut down poaching.....seize the boat,car,fishing tackle and fine the shit out of them......

[JOHN G]

a slap on the wrist and sent home isn't enough to shut down poaching.....seize the boat,car,fishing tackle and fine the shit out of them......

you go buddy!!!!

[jfrancho]

I'm dead set against adding enforcement resources in order to increase revenue to pay for more enforcement. It's slippery slope on a downward spiral. They need only enforce the laws that are already in place with harsher punishments. If you want to protect natural resources, then the state should make it a priority, and set a budget that matches that importance. It isn't a priority for the state at this point, which is a shame, because clean water will be more valuable than fossil fuels in short order. Here's an idea: There's plenty of anglers that would gladly take up the effort that could be trained and deputized in order to support this. As it stands, a degree in both law enforcement natural resource management for middling pay is not really an attractive option to a young person. It's all very short sighted, as most bureaucracies are.