What does everyone think of the 10 day C&R for trout?

[baetis]

Notwithstanding the last minute poor notice, I actually enjoyed the "early" C&R season.

I was wondering if people would support a similar measure in the future.

What if the major in season stocking streams opened up on April 1st (or 2 weeks prior to official opening day) for C&R fishing only, no bait, no powerbait/scented lures?

Would you be in favor of that, against, why or why not?

[Drossi]

It was the right decision for this circumstance but I'm mixed about continuing it in a normal year. The state needs those couple of weeks to adequately stock with volunteer support. That support is vital to moving the fish around. We'll see in a few weeks when all the bridge pools are cleaned out how much the volunteers really help spread the fish out and enhance the experience.

That said I always felt that they should have a 1 week preseason for anglers 15 and under to be able to fish before the general opener. Trouble with that is you know people would just use their kids as a prop to fish early.

[thmyorke1]

Originally Posted by Drossi

It was the right decision for this circumstance but I'm mixed about continuing it in a normal year. The state needs those couple of weeks to adequately stock with volunteer support. That support is vital to moving the fish around. We'll see in a few weeks when all the bridge pools are cleaned out how much the volunteers really help spread the fish out and enhance the experience.

That said I always felt that they should have a 1 week preseason for anglers 15 and under to be able to fish before the general opener. Trouble with that is you know people would just use their kids as a prop to fish early.

agree, especially on the preseason for kids. Even if it's just people bringing their kids out to fish early, it's a success as that's still creating bonding time; whether the kids want to go out or not they might have a good experience and want to do it again.

[AndyS]

They have what is called a DH in North Carolina. They stock trout but it's a delayed harvest, meaning C&R for a few weeks before the season opens. As usual a few ruin it for all and go to spots and literally catch and keep everything before the season officially opens, it's a disaster.

[hammer4reel]

While it def was a lot of fun. and I liked the CR portion
IMO putting the entire seasons stockings at once will have negative effects.
Birds of prey are hammering the schooled up fish pretty hard.
weasels im sure are doing the same as they are much easier targets.

many guys slack off after the first few weeks of fishing ,allowing others to get some time on the water.
Im expecting larger crowds than ever on the opener.

Spreading the seasons harvest over a few months just gives better opportunity .
guys mishandling the fish these past few days also have many floating along the bottom.
.
I already got every pennys worth of my trout stamp this spring, so anything else is just a bonus.

.

[hookset]

I think it was a good idea... I didn’t get to take advantage of it being an emergency room RN I have been a little busy but I think anytime we encourage more catch and release it’s a good thing. Don’t get me wrong I enjoy keeping some table fair but I like getting out and fishing on those nice March days also. Having a few more fish in the water makes up for my inadequate fishing skills and makes it more enjoyable. And despite the early opener my first full day off is Saturday and I’ll be social isolating somewhere on a river bank just like it was opening day.

[bunker dunker]

the musky,hybrids,pickerel & walleye loved it.

[nate01]

I love it. I live very close to a stocking point and have been getting my kids out there for ~30 minutes at a time since I’m working from home these days. The extra fish have been cooperating. My 9 year old daughter just caught 3 on a spinner during my half hour lunch break. She is starting to understand why I get up early on weekends to fish before she wakes up.

[Capt. Lou]

I liked it but should be CNR only ! Artificials only !

[Polelock]

Why did it even happen? Could they not have waited till the scheduled opener?
I ‘m sure a good number of fish died and were wasted.. F&W should have waited.