Blue Catfish - New Limits in Missouri

[timpndr20]

I would like to get some of your input on the new posession limit of 5 blue cats on Mo. waters.I fish the lower LOZ,and personally think that the LOZ is over populated with blues.When on almost every trip I get bit before the first bait hit's the bottom on each drift that makes me think the lake is over populated.:crying: What do you guys think?

[Dwednuts]

I would like to get some of your input on the new posession limit of 5 blue cats on Mo. waters.I fish the lower LOZ,and personally think that the LOZ is over populated with blues.When on almost every trip I get bit before the first bait hit's the bottom on each drift that makes me think the lake is over populated.:crying: What do you guys think?
I tend to think that someone doesn't think they are over populated at all. Why else do you think they would do that? I for one am glad they did something to slow people down a little on taking every fish they catch, something needed to be done.
I tend to think that most people take home all of the fish they catch simpley because they can. If they are stocking a freezer full of fish for consumption throughout the year they will wind up throwing most of it away because of how fast fish will freezer burn(6 to 8 weeks if vacuum sealed). That spells waste to me and waste is not a good thing at all.
I have yet to see where anyone has pitched a fit over limits on other GAME FISH!!! why is that? Well most people see the catfish as a lower lifeform than a bass. That couldn't be more wrong IMO.Blues and Flatheads are at the top of the food chain in any waterway that they reside, thus earning my respect and admiration!!!

[ShilohRed]

I tend to think that someone doesn't think they are over populated at all. Why else do you think they would do that? I for one am glad they did something to slow people down a little on taking every fish they catch, something needed to be done.
I tend to think that most people take home all of the fish they catch simpley because they can. If they are stocking a freezer full of fish for consumption throughout the year they will wind up throwing most of it away because of how fast fish will freezer burn(6 to 8 weeks if vacuum sealed). That spells waste to me and waste is not a good thing at all.
I have yet to see where anyone has pitched a fit over limits on other GAME FISH!!! why is that? Well most people see the catfish as a lower lifeform than a bass. That couldn't be more wrong IMO.Blues and Flatheads are at the top of the food chain in any waterway that they reside, thus earning my respect and admiration!!!


Boy I'm glad my VAcum sealer does a better job then yours. I have fish in the freezer that is from last summer and still taste fresh.

Pete

[Mr.T]

I find the new limits a little confusing when you consider that the MDC's stated goal is to produce a "bigger" blue cat fishery in Missouri with more trophy-class blues available to anglers.

It's not clear to me how taking *fewer* fish is going to result in bigger fish, unless the MDC thinks that they're being over-harvested and that taking fewer fish will allow those that remain a better chance at getting huge.

As I mentioned in another thread, I firmly believe that most guys who run trotlines already routinely ignore the 10 fish limit, and thus have little hope that they'll abide by the 5 fish limit. Maybe a few high-profile busts will change their mind, I dunno. But I *do* know some folks right now who are taking their full limit of blues from trotlines day after day to stock up for an upcoming fund raising fish fry...

In any case, I trust that those "in the know" at the conservation department have put this limit in place for a non-polititcal reason. I think they've done a good job up to this point in managing game fish in Missouri, so I'm willing to play along and see how it works out.

[Willy]

The new rule was made because the MDC is trying to grow more trophy class fish and they are doing studies on age class and growth rates in selected lakes and rivers.Basically the thought is that the channell cats are the meat and potatoes fish and the blue catfish and flathead catfish are going to be managed to grow to their trophy potential.The limit on blues came about in part because there was a survey put out and alot of catfish anglers stated that was what they wanted.With the new information age now more and more catfish anglers are chasin trophy class fish and do not be suprised to see some areas desinated trophy class waters with special regulations put in place to help keep the potential there to be able to catch big blues and flatheads. How many places in the United States have you seen desinated trophy class waters for catfish?Missouri will be one of the first if I am correct. They are trying to head off what has happened in other areas when overfishing has decimated big catfish populations. The limit change will put the hurt on setliners and others that chase blues because I know of areas on the Missouri River they are takin several hundred pounds of blue and flats out a week from lines in the water and a small group is doing it. The group is so hardcore that they have built bait ponds set up with automatic nets to get bait and these guys run 25 to 50 miles on the river on a daily basis 365 days a year.

[Dwednuts]

The limit change will put the hurt on setliners and others that chase blues because I know of areas on the Missouri River they are takin several hundred pounds of blue and flats out a week from lines in the water and a small group is doing it. The group is so hardcore that they have built bait ponds set up with automatic nets to get bait and these guys run 25 to 50 miles on the river on a daily basis 365 days a year.

Sounds to me like someone needs to make a phone call and tip off the DNR in this case, Brother!!!

[crazy]

I'm all for the new limits. If I'm not mistaken Tennessee was the first state to make blue cats a trouphy fish.

[Katmaster Jr.]

Quote:
The limit change will put the hurt on setliners and others that chase blues because I know of areas on the Missouri River they are takin several hundred pounds of blue and flats out a week from lines in the water and a small group is doing it. The group is so hardcore that they have built bait ponds set up with automatic nets to get bait and these guys run 25 to 50 miles on the river on a daily basis 365 days a year.

Sounds to me like someone needs to make a phone call and tip off the DNR in this case, Brother!!!

I was thinking the same thing! Man they need to tighten up on the law here in NC, I dont think we need a 5 limit for blue's....well at least where I fish....but there should be alot more limits than they have for them right now. Definitely should have some rules for the size of the fish. The Cat's are getting more popular now. One problem I think we have around here is the trotlines, jugs, etc. Some of the guys that run those things around here keep ALOT of cats as well as other types of fish. They need to tighten up on the rules for them. There's a small river I fish sometimes that has had it's channel cat population decreased big time by these trotlines, nets, etc. I know and have some friends that do that trotline stuff. But they keep up with theirs very well and usually dont keep too many, so I guess it's ok if done responsibly, but fact is theres alot that dont do it responsibly and are damaging the fish population.

[Dwednuts]

Boy I'm glad my VAcum sealer does a better job then yours. I have fish in the freezer that is from last summer and still taste fresh.

Pete
Sorry Pete It was a typo, I ment if it was not vacuum sealed. If it is it will last up to a year. OOOOOPs!!!

[Dwednuts]

As I mentioned in another thread, I firmly believe that most guys who run trotlines already routinely ignore the 10 fish limit, and thus have little hope that they'll abide by the 5 fish limit.

This is why we as sportsmen have to take it upon ourselves to practice CPR!!! It is because a certain amount of low-lifes will ignore the law and do as they want no matter what! This kind of activity has got to be haulted or our grandchildren may not have the chance to catch that fish of a lifetime.

[Itch2Scratch]

Sorry Pete It was a typo, I ment if it was not vacuum sealed. If it is it will last up to a year. OOOOOPs!!!


JW...You type just like Mellon...LOL:rolleyes:

[Dwednuts]

JW...You type just like Mellon...LOL:rolleyes:
Well I guess I deserved that one, LMAO!!! OUCH!!!

[Willy]

The MDC has been told all the details but until you can get a judge to take a stand on it its not a very big fine if they do bust them.Don't give up hope as the key people have been put in the loop and it takes time to build a good airtight case and in Missouri most Wardens have alot of area to cover on land and water and it's usually one Game Warden per county and sometimes not even that.The Catfish Management Plan is a 5 year deal and we are just gettin started with it,any changes take a while to put in place and they have to educate the general public on how to tell the difference between the 2 and there is alot of educatin to do. Only people really into catfishing and study them will be able to tell a big male channell from a blue in some color phases at times, I run into that all the time and it takes a little convincen to change their minds on what they caught.

[fishingbuddy4]

yea the mo river will be a problem, i have only seen a mdc officer twice on the mo river ,so it will be hard to bust people taking out hundreds of pound of fish

[Bigmagic]

I would like to see them implement the big fish limit they have talked about. I don't think the lake is "overpopulated" with Blues. There are a lot of fish but not as many as years past. The really large fish are getting overharvested by trotlines. I agree on CPR time for us to manage our own fisherie. I'm glad to see I'm not alone on practicing CPR no fish over twenty will be kept on my boat and myself personally none over ten.

[Mr.T]

I asked about the rationale behind the new catfish limit on the MDC web site's "contact us" page and got an *excellent* response from a MDC "Resource Scientist" named Kevin Sullivan in Clinton:

As you know channel catfish and blue catfish are among the most sought after sport fish species in Missouri. Even though these two species are different in almost every regard, they’ve been subject to the same fishing rules for years. The March 1, 2006 regulation change will separate the two and allow the agency more flexibility to manage blue catfish more intently in the future.

I don't know whether you attended any of the meetings, but we had a series of six public meetings back in the fall of 2003 (including one in the KC area). At those meetings, we unveiled the draft Missouri Catfish Management Plan. One of the key objectives in the Plan was to “maintain or improve the numbers of large blue catfish and flathead catfish.” One of the strategies identified to help achieve that objective was to “implement new regulations to restrict harvest of blue catfish statewide while still allowing liberal harvest of channel catfish.” The new statewide regulation partially fulfills that strategy.

The blue catfish is a long-lived species that takes many years to reach quality size. In some cases (Truman Reservoir), it takes a blue catfish 10 years to reach 25 inches long (5 ½ pounds). A ten-year-old blue catfish, unlike many other sportfish species, isn’t nearing the end of its anticipated life span. It’s entirely possible that this fish might live another 15 years and grow to be 70 or 80 or even 100 pounds. If anglers harvest too many blue catfish in the 25-35” size range, few will be left to survive to the larger sizes. One of the ways we can encourage larger blue catfish then is to reduce the numbers of intermediate size fish being harvested by anglers. By allowing greater survival of intermediate size blue catfish, we hope to produce more older and larger fish in the years to come.

I don't know whether you fish for channel catfish or not, but if you do, you should be aware that if you want to maximize your take home catch under the new regulation, you will need to be able to tell the difference between channel catfish and blue catfish. To help with identification, the Conservation Department has produced a 36” stick on ruler that highlights some of the key characteristics of the three catfish species. The Department also produced a small tri-fold handout that shows the key differences between channels, blues and flatheads. Both are available on request from local Conservation offices. If you are interested in either or both, email me back and I'll be happy to mail them to you.

I'm still left thinking that trotlines are the biggest detriment to catfish populations, especially considering the lack of enforcement personnel on the water most of the time. I think someone else here said it already, but it looks like the only way to really get anything done if you know of someone violating the rules is to drop a dime and call Operation Game Thief...

[jim]

T, thanks for going to the website,I tried to REP you but I have to spread it around.CONGRATULATIONS to all MO catfish anglers.I am eaten up with jealously.You have a progressive state which has made catfish gamefish and enacted regulations and limits.TENN also.Those of us that are watching the trophy fishery that was Santee be destroyed, can only wish fervently that some of that enlightenment would blow east.Thank GOD that the mercury advisory and the guides and fishermen on the James are doing their best to protect that fishery.It is always a good idea to talk to the biologists in charge of the program to get an accurate picture of what they are trying to do.That way we as sportsman can better assist them with their objective and plan.There will always be some people that won't obey the laws,thats a given but one thing we can do as sportsman is keep up a barrage of reports and complaints to the enforcement agency and after a while they will understand we are trying to help them help us all .NEVER underestimate the POWER of one determined individual.:) Again; WAY TO GO MO!!!!!!!!!:)

[Itch2Scratch]

T, thanks for going to the website,I tried to REP you but I have to spread it around.CONGRATULATIONS to all MO catfish anglers.I am eaten up with jealously.You have a progressive state which has made catfish gamefish and enacted regulations and limits.TENN also.Those of us that are watching the trophy fishery that was Santee be destroyed, can only wish fervently that some of that enlightenment would blow east.Thank GOD that the mercury advisory and the guides and fishermen on the James are doing their best to protect that fishery.It is always a good idea to talk to the biologists in charge of the program to get an accurate picture of what they are trying to do.That way we as sportsman can better assist them with their objective and plan.There will always be some people that won't obey the laws,thats a given but one thing we can do as sportsman is keep up a barrage of reports and complaints to the enforcement agency and after a while they will understand we are trying to help them help us all .NEVER underestimate the POWER of one determined individual.:) Again; WAY TO GO MO!!!!!!!!!:)

Well Jim if ya feel that way, I think there are a few good lots left on Lake of the Ozarks. You could buy and move here when you retire...LOL....hey, thats a good idea actually because thats what I did. Lake of the Ozarks and Truman Lake are right here together...both I believe hold world record cats.;)

[fishingbuddy4]

thats right ron ,take a pic and throw him back for someone to catch later.if people keep harvesting the hogs the children and grandkids will never see the big ones,I myself do not have kids ,but many neices and nephews i always stress to them to release any cats over 5lbs .


Glad to see you back ron ,Hows the health?

[slider]

i really like the new limit me and my buddy put a call in to the mdc fisheries bioligst last summer about the blues because where we was fishen was getting trotlined pretty hard and they was keeping some really big fish and as the summer went on you could notice the diffrence in fishen now if we could just get a slot limit and keep the trophys in the water thats what we are working on now

[jim]

Itch I have been considering just that!!!!:) Friend of mine from the Army retired back to MO and he loves it.Hard to beat a state with all that different type fishing,catfish, smallmouths,trout etc.I think NC,Tenn,Ky and Mo may offer the best and most varied fishing of all the states.They are prime states for a fisherman to retire to and of course Nc offers surf and ocean fishing also.Just wish they offered some common sense fish management.:)

[Dwednuts]

i really like the new limit me and my buddy put a call in to the mdc fisheries bioligst last summer about the blues because where we was fishen was getting trotlined pretty hard and they was keeping some really big fish and as the summer went on you could notice the diffrence in fishen now if we could just get a slot limit and keep the trophys in the water thats what we are working on now
I think the majority of the people that don't seem to notice the decline or concern themselves with it are the one running the trotlines and nets. It has to be enforced or it will do no good!!!

[spoonfish]

Itch I have been considering just that!!!!:) Friend of mine from the Army retired back to MO and he loves it.Hard to beat a state with all that different type fishing,catfish, smallmouths,trout etc.

Great idea Jim
You can get a spot right down here on Lake of the Ozarks.
The only requirement is you have to leave your garage where you keep your fridge full of coors lite unlocked at all times.....:cool:

[cook]

COORS LIGHT......????
Good luck,when you get back you'll have twice as much.:crying:

[spoonfish]

Shhhh...Now dont reture him guys.
I know Jim drinks the rookie mtn. ummm water. I figure we can reform him once he gets here LOL.

[NoCat2Big]

Personally I like the new limits... I rarely keep many anyway unless we have a family gathering or some such.

Besides, It's gets to be a lot of work cleaning more than 5 fish over 50lbs each
everyday. MMM the bigger they are the better they taste.

CPR = Catch Phillet Rejoice :evil-big: :evil-big:

LOL

[thomas feldon]

Is the limit applied to the Mississippi river also?
Last year I only caught 6 blues and one channel. Way plenty for the misses and me. I covered the fillets with water, left one end of the bag open,( one meal of fillets in a bag) set them upright in a 9x 13 baking pan stacked side by side, froze them, then vaccumed packed them. No freezer burn and I'll let you know if they last longer than a year. If there is any left by the end of this month.

[spoonfish]

Personally I like the new limits... I rarely keep many anyway unless we have a family gathering or some such.

Besides, It's gets to be a lot of work cleaning more than 5 fish over 50lbs each
everyday. MMM the bigger they are the better they taste.

CPR = Catch Phillet Rejoice :evil-big: :evil-big:

LOL
Chris, you forgot to put the decimal point in there I think.
5 fish over .50 lbs. each......LOL

[timpndr20]

I'm sorry I havent posted lately,I havent had much time to.Thanks for all the input,I used the wrong wording in my original post.I'm not against regulating the sport,Ijust dont see how limiting the number of fish to 5 is going to help grow bigger fish.I will abide by the new limit,but I think in time it will hurt the population of the bigger fish.In my opinion there should be a slot limit or only one fish over a certain size.I do agree that trotliners and setliners do take alot more big fish than they probably should.And some waters need more regulation than others.I'm sorry I led you to believe I was against new regulations,I'm not.I just think they need to regulate each body of water differently.I know it would take alot more effort to do so,but I'm willing to pay the price to see bigger fish.:)

[thomas feldon]

Thanks for the sight, answered alot of my questions. :)

[spoonfish]

I'm just wondering how many guys are going to be culling some of the smaller fish so they can take 5 bigger blues. If this happens and I bet it will with some folks we arent helping the trophy class fish. I still say the only way to achieve a trophy fishery is to have a slot limit.

[crazy]

I would agree the slot limit would be good. Is it Tenn. that has a slot limit? I guess the state is going to do one step at a time here. Or so it looks like.

[spoonfish]

Actually we have one right here below Truman dam to the no boating zone.
Only 1 catfish may be taken over 24 inches.

Hopefully they will adopt the same length limits in other waters.

[crazy]

They put that into play about the same time they outlawed the mini powerboats that take the line to the dam right?

[timpndr20]

I totally agree with the one fish over 24 inches,that is the point I was trying to get across.I think some of the smaller fish should be thinned out so the bigger fish have the chance to grow to trophy size.I'm not saying people should keep every small fish they catch,but be selective and keep only what they can eat.:)

[Mr.T]

The jist of what the conservation dept. scientist told me (from my post above) is that they believe that if anglers take fewer catfish, more will remain and have a chance to grow to trophy size.

Additionally, by splitting the blues from the other catfish, they can more easily add additional rules later on to better manage them - and my guess is that a slot limit of some sort will come into play in a few years.

But as I've said a thousand times here, I'm skeptical that the new limits will be respected by all anglers, especially those who live way out in the sticks and use trotlines to fill up the freezer.

Though it's becoming clear to me that the only way to make sure everyone toes the line is to be ready to call Operation Game Thief as soon as you see someone violating the law -- nobody has a bigger interest in seeing those blues grow huge than all us fishermen, and nobody is in a better position to see and report violations than us.

[timpndr20]

Mr T ,you sound very reasonable,someone I would like to fish with sometime e mail me sometime, we will go fishing.

[cook]

I'm confused.
MDC is starting a QDM for deer,4 point on on side,let the small ones grow to big ones-then kill them.
Let the big fish go and keep the small ones.

Glad I'm too lazy to clean fish too often,let almost all go.

[duck_killr]

i think they should also have a slot limit on the blues and flats. fish over twenty pounds should be released. or maybe you are allowed one over twenty pounds. if you want to make Mo. a trophy cat state which it is on the right track. a combination of slot and possession limits will ensure big cats for the future. who wants to eat a fish over twenty pounds any way.

[timpndr20]

If all fish over 20 lbs were to be returned to the water how would someone register a record fish if they were lucky enough to catch one.I know for a fact the LOZ holds record class fish,I had one up beside the boat in febuary of 2002.I think one fish over a certain length would work well.