Finally Ohio has limits on flatheads

[flathunter]

Finally, a proposal allowing anglers to keep only one channel catfish larger than 28 inches and one flathead catfish larger than 35 inches in a day was approved..This is great news for those of us hoping that our trophy catfishery will continue.

Now if they can just inforce it?

[Desperado]

They won't enforce the law. They don't enforce the slot limits on any lake I know of. I have seen it.

[ShilohRed]

That will be good news if they inforce it. But like Tn and the 34" length law. I have never heard of anyone getting a ticket.
There some of the guys here fishing nets and stuff keep what ever they catch.
And I'm sure if they got a ticket for it. It would make the news. Like the big blue caught in East Tn on a trotline. They gave him a warning ticket.
PEte

[H2O Mellon]

I think thats the key, it's a start in the right diretion. Now lets see them clasify it as a Gamefish (was that in the new law?). It's about time we ahve some regs concerning flats (& channels)

[maddcatter]

I agree with timotha7. Even if all fishermen keep more than allowed, most will follow the laws. That will ensure that the majority of large fish are not kept.

[Catbird]

In Ohio, catfish are already considered game fish. ODNR defines gamefish as any fish that can be taken legally. The 2 different classifications of fish used in Ohio are sport fish such as bass, bluegill, trout, channel catfish, flathead catfish, etc. The other classifcation is non-sport fish such as carp, bowfin, shad, etc.

[Catbird]

Flathunter, unless I read the report wrong, those limits just effect Lake Erie not the rest of the state.

[H2O Mellon]

Cat,

Thanks for pointing that out. I thought cats were classified as rough or forage fish. I've read the info on the ODNR page & I think the cat laws are in effect for the entire state, but I may be wonrg. We MUST find the answer to this.

[flathunter]

I contacted the odnr, it's statewide.

[Catbird]

This is all I could find:

INCREASE IN LAKE ERIE BAG LIMITS APPROVED FOR 2006

COLUMBUS, OH - Lake Erie walleye and yellow perch anglers will enjoy an increased bag limit next year as the fishing proposals for 2006 were approved by the Ohio Wildlife Council, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife.

The daily bag limit on walleye will increase from three fish to four between March 1 and
April 30, with a six-fish bag limit the remainder of the year. The existing 15-inch size limit will remain.

Council also approved an increase for yellow perch from the current 30-fish daily bag limit to 40. Perch populations, which have been low since the mid-1990s, have rebounded to healthier levels since the bag limit was reduced in 1995.

State wildlife biologists will continue to monitor the walleye and perch populations and work with state and provincial partners to ensure the continued vitality of the Lake Erie fishery.

Finally, a proposal allowing anglers to keep only one channel catfish larger than 28 inches and one flathead catfish larger than 35 inches in a day was approved.

-30-

For additional news online, check out the ODNR Press Room at Ohiodnr.com

For Further Information Contact:
Roger Knight, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(419) 625-8062
-or-
Gary Isbell, ODNR Division of Wildlife
(614) 265-6325

[H2O Mellon]

Good going. Thanks for doing that.

[Catbird]

I stand corrected...again...lol Thanks, Flathunter.

[jim]

Great to see that any state has taken this progressive stance.Of course there are always those that believe the law doesn't pertain to them but its a great step in the right direction.Equally impressive is the fact that they have given catfish sportfish status which means they can be regulated and limits put on.That will be the savior of the trophy catfish for the future.Hopefully more states will follow suit.

[cats4uandme]

sure wish and hope illinios would do a lil something. i see fellas keeping 30-40 fish a day and as small as 6-8" :cursing:

[flathunter]

They still have no limits on smaller cats, I have seen guys take out basket fulls of tiny channel cats 6-10 inches..cant understand it?

[flathunter]

I think Tim had alot to due with the new Ohio regs! Us ohio anglers are gratefull.

[river scum]

congrats on the new OH. regs. now lets hope for IN. to do the same. there is 27 miles of the great maumee river in my state that needs protected.

Tim thank you for doing your part brother!

[Baitkiller]

Nice to see Ohio do something good?

OPINION: How many times do we get more then one 35" fish per day guys....hmmmmmm?

If they would have a stocking program since the last time they did I think was Mosquito Lake in "66" or "67". Or how about habitat improvement. Ohio takes only a little of the money they take in to improve fishing here. Sorry guys if they pushed for getting 50 35" fish I don't believe it would make one bit of difference. Write them with some goood suggestions and see what happens for the Flathead fishin.

<><Baitkiller><>

[Baitkiller]

Ok a slot limit would help a very very little, but would like to see it much more proactive. WV wanted to make the Blue fishing better in the Ohio River AND GUESS WHAT... they have now a stocking program.

Most all the lakes in Ohio that had Flats stocked in them 70 years ago have now had most all the stumps rot away. 10,000 spawning drums would sure go a long long way.

A 10-12 dollar 3rd pole permit with 100% of the $$$$$ going to the Flathead, allow volenteers to help and have a donation available when we get our permits.


:D


<><Baitkiller><>

[Leakyboat]

Not trying to hijack ya'lls thread,but just want ya'lls opinion!I was reading the Texas regs,and i really don't agree with the blue's limit,i think its too high.I'm alright with the channels and flathead.What do ya'll think?
I think there should be at least a lenght limit on them!





Catfish: channel and blue, their hybrids and subspecies 25 (in any combination) 12 inches
Catfish, flathead 5 18 inches

Leakyboat

[Leakyboat]

Jack you got me thinking with this post about some of these Texas regulations.Sent a email to our biologist,see what he has to say!
Leakyboat

[teamclose]

correct me if i m wrong but i think the new laws will have a greater impact on the commercial type fishing. i think anglers that really love thier sport understand that you need to release the fish. its the ppl that are stocking their paylakes w/ those big ohio river flatheads that i hope will feel the most from this law. the law only says that you can only "keep" one big fish a day, it doesnt say how many you can catch so i know it wont bother me!

[flathunter]

Greg I agree plus 3 rep points for you!

[jason454ci]

I don't really think it would have very much impact on those comm. fishing people getting those ohio river flats. As most of them would be catching them from boats on the ohio where ohio laws do not apply. And what would be the chances of them being caught while transporting them. It would however probally help on the rivers and lakes the fall under the ohio laws. Anyway you look at it its definitly a step in the right direction. I agree with Baitkiller they really should put money towards habitat improvements. A little bit of stocking would be great. $19 for a fishing license x the amount sold in a year adds up to alot of dough. Not to mention all the sales taxes collected from the bait and tackle dealers. Seems to me they could be doing alot for the flathead population instead of putting in rules that seem less than effective. The lenght limits would have been a good idea 30 years ago when fish that big were common. But doesn't seem that effective this day and age when your very lucky to catch something of that size. I would like to know where all that money goes because I really haven't noticed very many improvments at all around here. Oh well lets just hope this is just the first step and there is more to come.

[rockbass]

I hope these new Regs help us out. I know I will personally do what I can to help out. I release pretty much every catfish I catch especially the large ones, but have ran into too many people that keep everything the catch including the small 5-10 inch fish.

These along with all fishing regs are hard to enforce beings officers do not always see fisherman, but hopefully the honest people will stay that way

[Baitkiller]

Hmmmmm

:confused:

I just wonder how many of them thar damaged "Barrels From Hell" the State throws away every year......hmmmmm, what a waste.

<><Baitkiller><>

[flathunter]

Tim you are right anything helps..I know people who wont pay any attention to the new regs, I dont fish with those type of people anymore..I think the new regs will help by letting people know who rape our rivers for big fish that there are limits, and there is a chance they will get caught.

[Baitkiller]

:glare:

RE: Ohio's Lakes.

Even if Flatheads were 100% C&R I believe/guess that as our MUD BOTTOM lakes fill up with silt and the stumps rot away there is less and less good spawning stucture/areas. Based on that even with 100% C&R there may come a point, IF it has not already happen were there will be less & less Flatheads regardless. :eek:

Other rich States, like WV, STOCK and IMPROVE the habitat.

Ohio has done a great job on the Steelhead fishing due to the proper habitat and stocking.

Just an opinion
<><Baitkiller><>

[flathunter]

It sure sounds like Ohio needs to get on the ball if they want these trophy flatheads to survive in our inland lakes.

[rockbass]

:glare:

RE: Ohio's Lakes.

Even if Flatheads were 100% C&R I believe/guess that as our MUD BOTTOM lakes fill up with silt and the stumps rot away there is less and less good spawning stucture/areas. Based on that even with 100% C&R there may come a point, IF it has not already happen were there will be less & less Flatheads regardless. :eek:

Other rich States, like WV, STOCK and IMPROVE the habitat.

Ohio has done a great job on the Steelhead fishing due to the proper habitat and stocking.

Just an opinion
<><Baitkiller><>
Very good points! I have noticed just in the yrs I have been driving (9yrs) a major difference in the silt problem at the MWCD lakes I fish. Between the silt taking over shallow areas and the stumps/logs rotting away, it has got to be getting increasingly difficult for Flatheads in these lakes to find suitable spawning grounds. It would be great if ODNR would step it up, but unfortunately it prob won't happen. Catfishing has to be the most popular fish targeted on any body of water I have seen. I think the reason we don't have more done to help catfishing is because it is not the money maker overall as is the case with bass/walleye. The reason for this I think is because catfish are a simple fish when it comes to baiting and rigging. Not as much money coming from hooks and sinkers as compared to the thousands of lures for every other fish in our waters. You know as soon as bass populations decline, they will be doing what they can to fix the problem. Until Catfish are the big money makers, I think it will be hard to get the ODNR to put much money toward them.:sad:

[THE CATKING]

Very good news !!! I believe we as catters have come a long way in just a short amount of time and it's because of people like you all that get involved. Future catters will be greatfull to say the least... THE CATKING ~**~