Stacie forgot to consider the fry planted lakes that are left open untill end of
September or even October. By then those fry plants are big enuff to get a gob
of powerbait or a worm/egg in their throats. Thousands are "graded" on Jameson
each fall and I suspect on other lakes too. Most die. Many others end up in the fry
pan at 5-6"...yum,yum,yum. What a waste.
I can understand the removal of the old 6" limit that waz in effect for most lakes.
It does no good to put a limit on the fish size if you allow the lake to be baited
because the baited fish caught stands about a 90% chance of dying anyhow.
The theory is let them keep the 5" fish and you will get less total mortality on the
population. The theory only holds true if there aren't many thoughtless baiters
doing C&R baitfishing (grading) looking for the limit of older,bigger trout.
Hang out at Jameson for a week with your eyes open and you'll understand
what I'm saying.