What is a bass season?
 

I have seen numerous references to bass season opening here and there at
various times. What exactly is a bass season? Is the season the period
during the year you can actually fish for bass, or is it the period during
which you can keep them?

We don't have a bass season in Florida...sheesh, I hope not! It would be a
little late to find out now! We do have seasons on other fish, such as
snook, trout and redfish, but the season is the time you can keep them
within certain size ranges. You can fish for them all year, but you must
release them when the season is closed.

So, what's the deal with bass seasons in other parts of the country? Thanks
in advance for the clarification.

Keith

What is a bass season?
 

Luv2bafield wrote:
What exactly is a bass season? Is the season the period
during the year you can actually fish for bass, or is it the period during
which you can keep them?

Depends on the state. In NY, you can't target them in the closed season. If
a CO saw you catch a bass and then make another cast to the same area with
the same lure, he could ticket you for targeting bass during the closed
season.

On the other hand, in VT, you are specifically allowed to catch them but
must release them immediately.

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

"luv2bafield" wrote in message
ink.net...
I have seen numerous references to bass season opening here and there at
various times. What exactly is a bass season? Is the season the period
during the year you can actually fish for bass, or is it the period during
which you can keep them?

We don't have a bass season in Florida...sheesh, I hope not! It would be
a
little late to find out now! We do have seasons on other fish, such as
snook, trout and redfish, but the season is the time you can keep them
within certain size ranges. You can fish for them all year, but you must
release them when the season is closed.

So, what's the deal with bass seasons in other parts of the country?
Thanks
in advance for the clarification.

Keith

Like RichZ says, different states have different rules.

Here in Northern Wisconsin, from the middle of March, until the first
Saturday in May, you cannot target bass, or any other gamefish for that
matter. Any that are caught while panfishing (the only legal game in a most
lakes and rivers), must be returned immediately. From 12:01 a.m. on the
first Saturday in May on, you can fish for bass, walleye and other game
fish. However, you cannot keep any bass until the middle of June, which
isn't a problem for me, 99.999% of the bass I catch are released anyway.

There is a big controversy, many think that the bass season should be kept
closed until after the spring spawn, to protect the fishery. Others think
that the bass season should be opened with the regular fishing season. The
Wisconsin DNR arrived at this compromise which is fine with me.

To further complicate matters, the southern portion of the state has
differing rules for gamefish. AND certain rivers are open year round for all
gamefish (with the exception of bass and muskies). The season still opens
on the first Saturday in May, but catch and keep for all fish opens then (if
I remember correctly, it's been a while since I fished the southern part of
the state).

Then too, different lakes and stretches of river have different size/bag
limits for different species of fish. Some days, you have to be a
Philadelphia Lawyer to figure out the rules....
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

What is a bass season?
 

"luv2bafield" wrote in message
ink.net...
I have seen numerous references to bass season opening here and there at
various times. What exactly is a bass season? Is the season the period
during the year you can actually fish for bass, or is it the period during
which you can keep them?

We don't have a bass season in Florida...sheesh, I hope not! It would be
a
little late to find out now! We do have seasons on other fish, such as
snook, trout and redfish, but the season is the time you can keep them
within certain size ranges. You can fish for them all year, but you must
release them when the season is closed.

So, what's the deal with bass seasons in other parts of the country?
Thanks
in advance for the clarification.

Keith



In NH (aside from pond-by-pond regulations), from ice in to May 14 - two
bass. May 15 - June 15 immediate release. June 15 - ice in 2 fish. In the
past, they have also limited the use of live bait for part of the season,
but I don't see it in this yyears book.
http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Fish..._Digest_04.pdf

What is a bass season?
 

"Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers" wrote in
message ...
BIG SNIP

Some days, you have to be a
Philadelphia Lawyer to figure out the rules....
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com


I don't know about Philly lawyers, but that confuses the heck out of this
Florida lawyer. Sounds a little like our speckled trout rules. Actually,
now that I think about, we have bass rules that vary throughout the state,
but they are size limit rules, not season. Trout have different sizes and
seasons depending where you are.

Thanks for the info.

Keith

What is a bass season?
 

RichZ wrote in message ...

Depends on the state. In NY, you can't target them in the closed season.

It's brutal here in NY, with the season not opening until the third Saturday
in June. Catch-and-release fishing during all or part of the closed season
looks like a fair bet starting in 2007, but that's an eternity, especially
when you're an old fossil.

What is a bass season?
 

In Pennsylvania, you can fish for bass during the closed season, but any caught
must be immediatly released. Also during the closed season, you can not fish
for a bass on a nest, or something like that.
However, when trout are closed (the freshwater kind, not seatrout), you
can not fish in approved trout waters for anything until opening day of trout
season.

-Zimmy

What is a bass season?
 

G. wrote:
However, when trout are closed (the freshwater kind, not seatrout), you
can not fish in approved trout waters for anything until opening day of trout
season.

However, when trout are closed (the freshwater kind, not seatrout), you
can not fish in approved trout waters for anything until opening day of trout
season.

Ditto here. Any water stocked with trout is closed to all fishing during its
closed trout season.


RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

i've wondered this as well. one of you michigan folks feel free to speak
up...

calvin.

luv2bafield wrote:
I have seen numerous references to bass season opening here and there at
various times. What exactly is a bass season? Is the season the period
during the year you can actually fish for bass, or is it the period during
which you can keep them?

We don't have a bass season in Florida...sheesh, I hope not! It would be a
little late to find out now! We do have seasons on other fish, such as
snook, trout and redfish, but the season is the time you can keep them
within certain size ranges. You can fish for them all year, but you must
release them when the season is closed.

So, what's the deal with bass seasons in other parts of the country? Thanks
in advance for the clarification.

Keith

What is a bass season?
 

That's because troutr so easy to catch ;-)

Warren

"RichZ" wrote in message
...
G. wrote:
However, when trout are closed (the freshwater kind, not seatrout), you
can not fish in approved trout waters for anything until opening day of
trout
season.

However, when trout are closed (the freshwater kind, not seatrout), you
can not fish in approved trout waters for anything until opening day of
trout
season.

Ditto here. Any water stocked with trout is closed to all fishing during
its
closed trout season.


RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

That's because troutr so easy to catch ;-)

Hmmm...

What is a bass season?
 

DE has no bass season, maybe they should have one for spawning time,
MD has a bass season for non-tidal waters, you can catch and release
then but it sure kills the Tournaments, which may be the intent..

What is a bass season?
 

Don't think that's the motive AJH, Maryland loves to host tournaments.
Brings huge bucks to the economy. Bass seasons are strictly to satisfy the
radical conservationists. They really serve no purpose, IMHO.

Warren

"AJH" wrote in message
...
DE has no bass season, maybe they should have one for spawning time,
MD has a bass season for non-tidal waters, you can catch and release
then but it sure kills the Tournaments, which may be the intent..

What is a bass season?
 

luv2bafield wrote:
I have seen numerous references to bass season opening here and there at
various times. What exactly is a bass season? Is the season the period
during the year you can actually fish for bass, or is it the period during
which you can keep them?

We don't have a bass season in Florida...sheesh, I hope not! It would be a
little late to find out now! We do have seasons on other fish, such as
snook, trout and redfish, but the season is the time you can keep them
within certain size ranges. You can fish for them all year, but you must
release them when the season is closed.

So, what's the deal with bass seasons in other parts of the country? Thanks
in advance for the clarification.

Keith

Texas... No season, just size and number restrictions that can vary from
lake to lake.

http://tinyurl.com/3ag43

Henry

What is a bass season?
 

Most big time tournaments in MD are held in tidal waters..like the
Potomac River...





"If you go to bed stupid, you will wake up stupid"

What is a bass season?
 

Bass season is when it's not like this...

http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/thames6.jpg

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

What is a bass season?

Bass season is when it's not like this...
http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/thames6.jpg
RichZ=A9
=3D=3D=3D=3D=3D
Who is that in the boat Rich? Please don't say it's you....your posts
show alot more intelligence than that grin.

What is a bass season?
 

Man, those walley guys are hardcore!

"RichZ" wrote in message
...
Bass season is when it's not like this...

http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/thames6.jpg

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

"RichZ" wrote in message
...
Bass season is when it's not like this...

http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/thames6.jpg

Shoot, been there, done that, am NOT having a t-shirt made..... Last
November, I had 19' of my 21'6" boat sitting on top of the ice!!! Finally
decided that I wasn't going to make it to open water and moved to a
different lake.
--
Steve @ OutdoorFrontiers
http://www.outdoorfrontiers.com
G & S Guide Service and Custom Rods
http://www.herefishyfishy.com

What is a bass season?
 

That's dedication!

"RichZ" wrote in message
...
Bass season is when it's not like this...

http://www.ledgerunnerbaits.com/thames6.jpg

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

No doubt, but the counties involved happily pump big bucks into promoting
those tournaments.

Warren

"AJH" wrote in message
...
Most big time tournaments in MD are held in tidal waters..like the
Potomac River...





"If you go to bed stupid, you will wake up stupid"

What is a bass season?
 

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...

Bass seasons are strictly to satisfy the radical conservationists. They
really serve no purpose, IMHO.

Warren


I'd like to see some expanded thoughts from you on this Warren, if you get
the time. I certainly am not going to argue with you over it as I mainly
agree. I just need more ammo for my opinions when I run across a *clueless*
treehugger.

I started thinking about this in earnest when I read or saw some info
released last year on sight fishing (aka bed fishing) and how there was
currently no proof that it affected overall bass numbers when practiced. Not
that I am a good, or even moderately good sight fisherman, but anything that
genuinely may hurt the sport/hobby/past-time, should be looked at US first,
before the radicals jump into the fray.

Anyways, you are the guy out in the field, chasing these things
professionally so I was wondering what your thoughts on this are past your
one liner zing above. I love the outdoors, fishing, bass fishing in
particular and I want to know the facts so I can be a heavily armed (with
knowledge) voice in the wilderness so to speak when the next big round of
PETA or other radical groupa tries to put the brakes on our past-time,
hobby, and in your case, profession.

Thanks.

What is a bass season?
 

I read or saw some info
released last year on sight fishing (aka bed fishing) and how there was
currently no proof that it affected overall bass numbers when

I wrote an article for Outdoor Frontiers with my thoughts on bed fishing. I
don't think it affects bass reproduction - here in the south, especially. But
I don't do it much - most of the lakes I fish are too stained, and I don't have
the patience.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

What is a bass season?
 

Bass season is when it's not like this...

Thank God it is NEVER like that here!
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

What is a bass season?
 

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
I read or saw some info
released last year on sight fishing (aka bed fishing) and how there was
currently no proof that it affected overall bass numbers when

I wrote an article for Outdoor Frontiers with my thoughts on bed fishing.
I
don't think it affects bass reproduction - here in the south, especially.
But
I don't do it much - most of the lakes I fish are too stained, and I don't
have
the patience.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Thanks Ronnie, I will see if I can dig it up. I just don't buy into the
theory that hunting or fishing, associated with some selected and controlled
harvestation hurts an animal population. Actually, I think it helps. Too
good in some cases: How many dead white tail dear have you seen by the road
the past few years? I've hit two in the past 5 years myself.

It just seems like the past few years I've heard more from animal activist
groups about actually stopping hunting and fishing all together, in certain
areas anyway. Given that there is an election coming up, and every Democrat
in the field could use the help of the PETAs, Greenpeaces, et al that they
can get, if one manages to get into the White House this go-round, we may
hear even more about it. They already won't let us collect our own oil in
the US, shutting down outdoor activities in the *name of the planet and its
helpless species* won't be too far off.

Sounds crazy I know, but so did the Big Tobacco thing only 20 years ago. So
did unleaded gas in the 1960s. The defense of our right* to enjoy the
outdoors will fall on us, the outdoorsmen (women too) I'm afraid, as I am
not aware of any lobby group representing us in Washington, past maybe the
NRA. Just trying to bone up so I can do my own protesting at the appropriate
time, and for my own knowledge so I can help educate people I come into
contact with.

*(It's a "right" to me since I fully equate it with my right to life,
liberty and THE PURSUIT OF HAPPINESS. No farther fetched in my feable mind
than burning the American flag being protected as "free speach".)

What is a bass season?(Sight fishing)
 

California has some of the best managed lakes in the country, and sight
fishing for bedding bass is done routinely...most lakes are extremely
clear. The bass population has not suffered because of this....at least
from all the comments and studies I'm aware of it hasn't. In fact there
are a couple big "sows" that have been caught off beds several times
over the past few years (some even have "nick" names, and are "living"
lake records)...and they are no worse for wear that anyone can see. Just
my two cents :).
JK

What is a bass season?
 

John wrote:
Who is that in the boat Rich? Please don't say it's you

It's not. But it is a picture of someone trying to take advantage of a
winter striper fishing opportunity that I have partaken in in the past, and
plan to partake in again. It's just been a few degrees too cold for a few
too many weeks this winter.

Believe it or not, that boat ramp is considered a sal****er ramp. It's on
the Thames River, only about 10 miles inland from the Atlantic Ocean.

RichZ©
www.richz.com/fishing

What is a bass season?
 

"SimRacer" -spam wrote in message
. com...

"RGarri7470" wrote in message
...
I read or saw some info
released last year on sight fishing (aka bed fishing) and how there was
currently no proof that it affected overall bass numbers when

I wrote an article for Outdoor Frontiers with my thoughts on bed
fishing.
I
don't think it affects bass reproduction - here in the south,
especially.
But
I don't do it much - most of the lakes I fish are too stained, and I
don't
have
the patience.
Ronnie

http://fishing.about.com

Thanks Ronnie, I will see if I can dig it up. I just don't buy into the
theory that hunting or fishing, associated with some selected and
controlled
harvestation hurts an animal population. Actually, I think it helps. Too
good in some cases: How many dead white tail dear have you seen by the
road
the past few years? I've hit two in the past 5 years myself.
snip


Selective harvest is the only way. Left to themselves, deer would outnumber
NewJerseyites pretty fast. At the turn of the century (1900), whitetails
were nearly extinct in NH from market hunting (hides to England IIRC) and
the turkeys were gone.

Eric Ryder
Hunter & fisherman

What is a bass season?
 

While I'd say bass fishing is more my passion than my profession Sim, I'll
throw my thoughts on this at you.

A lake is either "healthy" or not. "Unhealthy" lakes can indeed be fished
out, but this is more the result of a weak ecosystem than overfishing.

In the case of healthy lakes, the ecosystem is self-sustaining. This means
that the water body is capable of supporting X number of adult bass. The
number of successful spawns can vary from year to year, but the resulting
population will be similar.

There are lots of factors, both natural & man-influenced, that can effect
the bass population in a given water. The fact remains that 95% of bass
caught just about anywhere are now released. Selective harvest is not a
problem, and it's been scientifically proven that harvesting a small
percentage of bass, even during the spawn (when most states' closed season
occurs), will not even put a dent in the resulting population of adults a
few years down the road.

Funny how states will prohibit us from fishing during the spawning months,
yet they'll allow water levels to fluctuate during the same months,
oftentimes wiping out entire year classes of bass.

Politics...

Warren
--
http://www.warrenwolk.com/



"SimRacer" -spam wrote in message
. com...

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...

Bass seasons are strictly to satisfy the radical conservationists. They
really serve no purpose, IMHO.

Warren


I'd like to see some expanded thoughts from you on this Warren, if you get
the time. I certainly am not going to argue with you over it as I mainly
agree. I just need more ammo for my opinions when I run across a
*clueless*
treehugger.

I started thinking about this in earnest when I read or saw some info
released last year on sight fishing (aka bed fishing) and how there was
currently no proof that it affected overall bass numbers when practiced.
Not
that I am a good, or even moderately good sight fisherman, but anything
that
genuinely may hurt the sport/hobby/past-time, should be looked at US
first,
before the radicals jump into the fray.

Anyways, you are the guy out in the field, chasing these things
professionally so I was wondering what your thoughts on this are past your
one liner zing above. I love the outdoors, fishing, bass fishing in
particular and I want to know the facts so I can be a heavily armed (with
knowledge) voice in the wilderness so to speak when the next big round of
PETA or other radical groupa tries to put the brakes on our past-time,
hobby, and in your case, profession.

Thanks.

What is a bass season?
 

Funny how states will prohibit us from fishing during the spawning months,
yet they'll allow water levels to fluctuate during the same months,
oftentimes wiping out entire year classes of bass.

Politics...

Warren,
Did you have any particular lakes in mind? I live literally a stone's
throw from a lake like this. Everybody in the county has been complaining
about it for years, but the Corps of Engineers never changes their practices.

-Zimmy

What is a bass season?
 

"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
While I'd say bass fishing is more my passion than my profession Sim, I'll
throw my thoughts on this at you.

A lake is either "healthy" or not. "Unhealthy" lakes can indeed be fished
out, but this is more the result of a weak ecosystem than overfishing.

In the case of healthy lakes, the ecosystem is self-sustaining. This
means
that the water body is capable of supporting X number of adult bass. The
number of successful spawns can vary from year to year, but the resulting
population will be similar.

There are lots of factors, both natural & man-influenced, that can effect
the bass population in a given water. The fact remains that 95% of bass
caught just about anywhere are now released. Selective harvest is not a
problem, and it's been scientifically proven that harvesting a small
percentage of bass, even during the spawn (when most states' closed season
occurs), will not even put a dent in the resulting population of adults a
few years down the road.

Funny how states will prohibit us from fishing during the spawning months,
yet they'll allow water levels to fluctuate during the same months,
oftentimes wiping out entire year classes of bass.

Politics...

Warren
--
http://www.warrenwolk.com/



Thanks for the input W. It's just that I live near one of the most liberal
towns in the South (Chapel Hill, NC) and given that the two main bassin
lakes around here are within a stone's throw of the place, and the PETA
blurbs about hunting and fishing coming out last year (an ANTI stance IIRC),
well you can see, I am just connecting the dots. We deal with size and slot
limits, no problem, it only helps the trophy possibilities later on, but
down the road I can see people picketing our boat ramps around here and I am
trying to learn all I can about the subject matter so I can do my civic duty
as an outdoorsman when and if this thing comes to a head. I am not one to
keep fish anyway, I've only kept one in the past 10 years and that was
because of her size and the injuries she sustained in getting caught and
boated. But to some loons, catching a fish means it's dead. It's almost like
they haven't heard of C&R or CPR (catch, photograph, release). I admit I am
primarily a weekend warrior, but if I had to guess, I'd say that all of the
30-40 fish I caught all of last year lived except for the big one (to me) I
mentioned above.

Just LAST night on the local news there was a story on a big storm brewing
over a "controverisal" proposed housing site located a MILE from one of
these lakes. So you can see, probably, that I am not simply paranoid about
the situation, its creeping in. Just need to get the facts in order on the
survival rate of C&R fish, and population numbers on hunted animals to arm
our argument that fishing doesn't hurt, and selective harvestation of
feet-dry animals doesn't either. Of course then the topic of poaching will
come up and we can deal with it as best we can. It's illegal, and all we can
do is try to enforce the current laws to the best of our abilities. The best
pressure that can be exerted to quell poaching, IMHO, is peer pressure.

And y'all thought Jimmy Houston bustin' on BASS over a beer decal was big.
:-) I just hope that certain anglers' opinions on sponsorship is all the
tournament guys have to worry about the next few years, but I doubt it will
be.

What is a bass season?
 

There's tons of em Zimmy, hopefully not the ones we like to fish lol. It's
not that big an issue in my neck of the woods,but I know it's a major
concern in alot of Southern States.

Warren

"G. M. Zimmermann" wrote in message
...

Funny how states will prohibit us from fishing during the spawning
months,
yet they'll allow water levels to fluctuate during the same months,
oftentimes wiping out entire year classes of bass.

Politics...

Warren,
Did you have any particular lakes in mind? I live literally a stone's
throw from a lake like this. Everybody in the county has been complaining
about it for years, but the Corps of Engineers never changes their
practices.

-Zimmy

What is a bass season?
 

lol Sim, tight lines to you every weekend for years to come. Chapell
Hill...is that Lake Murray?

Warren

"SimRacer" wrote in message
. com...


"go-bassn" wrote in message
...
While I'd say bass fishing is more my passion than my profession Sim,
I'll
throw my thoughts on this at you.

A lake is either "healthy" or not. "Unhealthy" lakes can indeed be
fished
out, but this is more the result of a weak ecosystem than overfishing.

In the case of healthy lakes, the ecosystem is self-sustaining. This
means
that the water body is capable of supporting X number of adult bass.
The
number of successful spawns can vary from year to year, but the
resulting
population will be similar.

There are lots of factors, both natural & man-influenced, that can
effect
the bass population in a given water. The fact remains that 95% of bass
caught just about anywhere are now released. Selective harvest is not a
problem, and it's been scientifically proven that harvesting a small
percentage of bass, even during the spawn (when most states' closed
season
occurs), will not even put a dent in the resulting population of adults
a
few years down the road.

Funny how states will prohibit us from fishing during the spawning
months,
yet they'll allow water levels to fluctuate during the same months,
oftentimes wiping out entire year classes of bass.

Politics...

Warren
--
http://www.warrenwolk.com/



Thanks for the input W. It's just that I live near one of the most liberal
towns in the South (Chapel Hill, NC) and given that the two main bassin
lakes around here are within a stone's throw of the place, and the PETA
blurbs about hunting and fishing coming out last year (an ANTI stance
IIRC),
well you can see, I am just connecting the dots. We deal with size and
slot
limits, no problem, it only helps the trophy possibilities later on, but
down the road I can see people picketing our boat ramps around here and I
am
trying to learn all I can about the subject matter so I can do my civic
duty
as an outdoorsman when and if this thing comes to a head. I am not one to
keep fish anyway, I've only kept one in the past 10 years and that was
because of her size and the injuries she sustained in getting caught and
boated. But to some loons, catching a fish means it's dead. It's almost
like
they haven't heard of C&R or CPR (catch, photograph, release). I admit I
am
primarily a weekend warrior, but if I had to guess, I'd say that all of
the
30-40 fish I caught all of last year lived except for the big one (to me)
I
mentioned above.

Just LAST night on the local news there was a story on a big storm brewing
over a "controverisal" proposed housing site located a MILE from one of
these lakes. So you can see, probably, that I am not simply paranoid about
the situation, its creeping in. Just need to get the facts in order on the
survival rate of C&R fish, and population numbers on hunted animals to arm
our argument that fishing doesn't hurt, and selective harvestation of
feet-dry animals doesn't either. Of course then the topic of poaching will
come up and we can deal with it as best we can. It's illegal, and all we
can
do is try to enforce the current laws to the best of our abilities. The
best
pressure that can be exerted to quell poaching, IMHO, is peer pressure.

And y'all thought Jimmy Houston bustin' on BASS over a beer decal was big.
:-) I just hope that certain anglers' opinions on sponsorship is all the
tournament guys have to worry about the next few years, but I doubt it
will
be.