What's your philosophy?

[Lee Borgersen]

Here's an interesting article I ran across that will always spark some controversy.


Please feel free to voice your philosophy here on this topic. Agree, don't agree or somewhat agree.                                               







                       "Keeping Trophy Fish Is Up To You"


I recently got into a conversation with a few anglers at a local watering hole that involved some spirited talk about keeping fish.

It started with one of the guys complaining that he had seen a young fisherman and an older gentleman, likely a grandfather and grandson, keep a walleye on Clearwater Lake this fall that was in the 27- to 29-inch class.

He was basically upset with the fact that someone would have the audacity to keep a walleye of that size. His argument was that the fish should have been released so it could spawn, and he made it sound like these two fishermen broke some major ethical rule in the fishing world.

When they asked me how I felt about it, I took less than a second to respond with, “Who cares?” which seemed to catch them by surprise. I think they expected me to be bothered with it like they were, but that couldn’t be further from the truth.

I have absolutely no problem with someone keeping a big walleye or northern pike, bass or musky, for that matter. I tend to get real annoyed with these guys that think releasing a big fish is mandatory, and even more annoyed when they rip someone else for not throwing a big fish back.

The truth is that at some stage, it really becomes pointless for a big fish to be released. Walleyes, for example: those fish over 25 inches are not the most prolific spawners, and you’ll do a lake more good by throwing back walleyes between 18 and 22 inches if you’re concerned about protecting spawning fish.

Every year I hear about muskies that are caught and released, fish pushing 60 inches and presumably exceeding the current state record of 54 pounds. Like a big walleye, that fish is likely at the end of its natural life cycle, so what’s wrong with keeping it for trophy purposes? Hell, eat it if you want, just don’t feel bad because you did and don’t let anyone else tell you it is wrong.

It isn’t illegal and you won’t be any less of a conservationist if you take a trophy-caliber fish, which — again — probably isn’t going to naturally live much longer. The only thing you will accomplish is giving someone else a chance to catch it – that is, if it lives long enough after being fought, netted, dropped and photographed before being released.

I rarely keep any walleyes over 20 inches, but that’s my choice. Now, if I caught one over 30 inches or a muskie that was the new state record, I’d probably make a trip to my taxidermist and not feel bad about it.

Another factor I mentioned to the guys I was talking with is that we probably get to fish more than the average guy does. Some people have limited opportunities to fish and go their entire lives without catching a walleye over 27 inches. In the case of the two anglers mentioned earlier, that fish might have been the walleye of a lifetime for both of them.

I’m all for catch and release, especially when the right fish are put back. But there’s nothing wrong with keeping a trophy fish if you choose to do so.

[kenhuntin]

I feel the same way.
 But when it comes right down to it the catch and release crowd just enjoy injuring fish all day. It is fun for them.
 Now there will be controversy

[The General]

I feel the same way as the guy in the article. 

[DDSBYDAY]

  Many if not most of the lakes I fish have according to the DNR little or no natural reproduction.  I have no problem releasing fish to be caught again.  Mounted a couple up that I could not revive.  I have no problem with people keeping fish.  Provided it is within their legal limit.  For the record I am no fan of the 1 over 20" rule either. 

[stevejedlenski]

i say if its a trophy and you are going to mount it then it doesnt matter what size it is. now the guys the filet at 25", 26" walleye that kind of makes my stomach turn. considering that fish is probably a minimum of 8 years and depending on the lake could be as old as 17. fish arent like deer and if they make it to that age class i think you should let someone else enjoy catching that fish if its not your definition of trophy.

[glenn57]

that article came from the st cloud times. the author is glen schmidt who does alot of outdoor writing for that paper.


and for the record i dont have an issue with what he said. as a matter of fact i tend to agree with him when those BIG  fish get up there in age.

and again for the record i do release nice fish to live another day.

[Fawkinnae]

As a member of the catch and release crowd, I just enjoy injuring fish all day. After all what did they ever do for me.

...I probably wouldn't keep a trophy (unless I accidentally killed it during the recreational injuring process) but if I had an extra couple of hundred bucks sitting around I might have a replica made.

[Lee Borgersen]

Well since I started this thread I suppose I should reply to the question at hand.


Since I run fishing guide service in south east Wisconsin I'm more than likely to have a philosophy that varies from the norm. When my perspective clients call I can generally get a feel for their priorities and expectations. During our phone discussion I always interject that we would be doing catch and release on all game fish. Bring a cooler with Ice If you would like to take home pan-fish for table fare. If you catch a trophy game fish that you wish to mount that's fine.

The lake I guide on is in the center of a triangle between Milwaukee, Madison and Chicago. This of course makes it very heavily fished. If I as a guide were to remove multiple limits of game fish 3 to six days a week I feel It would have a negative impact on the fishery. Do I loose perspective business when I let folks know about my CPR philosophy in advance. The answer is yes at times. Over the years most of the other guides I compete with have also adopted the same policy with a few guides still on a meat hunt.

The geographic region your located in should have influence on your decisions. Heavily pressure lakes with those who don't believe in catch and release won't be as populated as other lakes. In these times of cut backs and more limited budgets the DNR won't be able to sustain the stocking programs that they've hoped for.

This is where the catch and release philosophy can help to make a difference in my opinion. The DNR has also been working with many fine groups Like Walleyes For Tomorrow, Muskies Inc. and other fine clubs that donate their time money to increase private stocking programs.

If your fortunate enough to live in a more remote area with resources being hammered less than other parts of the country please count your blessings. I've noticed some individual anglers on the lake I guide keeping game fish and actually not holding them up but keeping them at floor level and quickly putting them in the cooler. No one I know of would harass them but, they must feel self-conscious about it. 

[Bear Creek Bucks]

Pretty simple for me, I like a meal of fish after I've been out. If it's slow and we don't have any in the pail I'll keep a larger fish to eat, if I have a meal of eaters in the bucket he'll go back for sure, the last larger walleye I ate didn't taste well at all...I always thought it wasn't true that a large fish doesn't taste well but this one tasted muddy.

[Nick]

As long as it's not in violation of the regs, I don't much care if a trophy is taken.

Hanging it on the wall is wasteful IMO. But it's not my fish, not my decision, and I don't think any less of someone who has them mounted.

I was brought up to (legally) take only what I'm going to eat. The bits I'm not going to eat get thrown into lake for the snappers, who, in turn, help keep the weeds down.

[kenhuntin]

You guys know that the meat of skin mounted fish does not get wasted from a reputable taxidermist right?
 If it comes in fresh and they know you did not do anything wierd to it it is free dinner or actually you pay them or their cat to consume it. You can even deliver the skin alone and have the meat yourself as long as you do not damage the side you wish to portray.