Hello All,
I'm an environmentalist and concerned angler. In my experience, there has been a noticable decline in shovelhead numbers, in the 20lb+ class, over the past 20 years. When the one fish/day over 35in. regulation came out, I was delighted. But, we can do better.
Flatheads take anywhere from four to even 10 years before they can reproduce; It takes that long to replace an adult fish; And, the larger the fish, the more eggs they lay. Fishing pressure has a considerably greater impact on this species. It is a fact that pay lakes pay $1 - $2/ pound for these fish. The most valuable egg layers are being harvested specifically and without regard. I personally witnessed an angler drag eight shovelhead on a stringer, each clearly over 35in., out of the GMR and into his trunk. It's unclear whether they were going to the pay lake, the table or the garden. My point: the flathead is being targeted by more people than ever before. Between poaching and habitat modification, it would make sense to at least look into conservation. I haven't found any published research in Ohio about the shovel.
In the Mississippi drainage, the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas, among others, are studying the impact of human pressure and fisheries management for the flathead. Of particular interest to us, they are considering catch-and-release regulations for a trophy fishery. Why can't we do something like this in southern Ohio?
We can! I'm writing a formal proposal to the ODNR. In that proposal, I'll be comparing what's known on the Mississippi with what we know and base our flathead regulations on in Ohio. The most important part of our proposal will be our feedback.
Within the next three - four weeks, I'll be conducting a survey taken from OGF members and fellow catfish anglers throughout the state. It is my firm belief that a trophy flathead fishery is in our future. It is my goal for us to experience it in our lifetime. Big fish are what we love.
Catch-and-release regulation may or may not be something. I'm only proposing that we take an earnest and a responsible look. My survey will serve to find out public opinion within the community of flathead anglers. The proposal on the whole will serve to raise awarness and generate research dollars. Ultimately, the flathead deserves as much attention and more with respect to the bass, the musky, and the saugeye. More to come soon . . .
TH
I'm an environmentalist and concerned angler. In my experience, there has been a noticable decline in shovelhead numbers, in the 20lb+ class, over the past 20 years. When the one fish/day over 35in. regulation came out, I was delighted. But, we can do better.
Flatheads take anywhere from four to even 10 years before they can reproduce; It takes that long to replace an adult fish; And, the larger the fish, the more eggs they lay. Fishing pressure has a considerably greater impact on this species. It is a fact that pay lakes pay $1 - $2/ pound for these fish. The most valuable egg layers are being harvested specifically and without regard. I personally witnessed an angler drag eight shovelhead on a stringer, each clearly over 35in., out of the GMR and into his trunk. It's unclear whether they were going to the pay lake, the table or the garden. My point: the flathead is being targeted by more people than ever before. Between poaching and habitat modification, it would make sense to at least look into conservation. I haven't found any published research in Ohio about the shovel.
In the Mississippi drainage, the University of Missouri and the University of Kansas, among others, are studying the impact of human pressure and fisheries management for the flathead. Of particular interest to us, they are considering catch-and-release regulations for a trophy fishery. Why can't we do something like this in southern Ohio?
We can! I'm writing a formal proposal to the ODNR. In that proposal, I'll be comparing what's known on the Mississippi with what we know and base our flathead regulations on in Ohio. The most important part of our proposal will be our feedback.
Within the next three - four weeks, I'll be conducting a survey taken from OGF members and fellow catfish anglers throughout the state. It is my firm belief that a trophy flathead fishery is in our future. It is my goal for us to experience it in our lifetime. Big fish are what we love.
Catch-and-release regulation may or may not be something. I'm only proposing that we take an earnest and a responsible look. My survey will serve to find out public opinion within the community of flathead anglers. The proposal on the whole will serve to raise awarness and generate research dollars. Ultimately, the flathead deserves as much attention and more with respect to the bass, the musky, and the saugeye. More to come soon . . .
TH
