If 30% of the flatheads are harvested each year, that means a flathead has less than a 3% chance of living til it is 10 years old. It has less than a 1 tenth of 1 percent chance of living til it is 20 years old. That means less than 1 out of 1000 flatheads lives til it is 20 years old. Ouch.

It's tough to have a trophy fishery with that situation. I would hate to see the MN river go that direction. I'm always happy to see CPR anglers around here. Nice post RAB.

That timeline is scary RAB.

It's good to know that the current fishery is in very good condition here.

Let's hope it stays that way.

Anyone notice that the catches are getting bigger each year

Yes Darren, seems there were many larger trophy fish caught this spring and pre spawn. Lets hope this trend continues for some awesome fishing in the near future.

I have always stated that I do not mind Tourney's run where the fish has a chance but to simply kill these trophy for a buck is wrong.

Oh another thing I wanted to mention about one local live transport contest was that it indirectly encourages bringing in every fish you catch by offering a nice prize for a certain slot fish (23rd biggest or something like that).

That is just wrong IMO.

That stat is 30% of the "adult" flathead population is harvest each year. Adult is defined as over 24 inches. Most fish under 24" are not harvested.

I'm not sure that is entirely true... so
I have to ask the question.....

Are the catches getting bigger every year? Or.... Are the catches the same or less, except they getting more "publicized" with fisherman who are getting more experienced every season, as well as the introduction of the Internet and sharing of information on fishing web sites?

I do know that there is a lot more pressure on certain waters over the last couple seasons to the point that we know that some fish are caught repeatedly thanks to CPR, conversely what about potential trophy's getting mortally hooked with the added pressure??

My point..... We have a great fishery. The majority of the participants on this site do an outstanding job of CPR and educating others on conservation. These type of tourneys as they are currently operated are not held in the interest or spirit of conservation of the species.
But to try to compare previous years catches of big fish to the present year catches of big fish is almost like trying to compare apples to oranges, there are to many variables to make a valid comparison listed above. (lack of previous years data, and the involvement of the media) I will state that we are now gathering enough data and info that we will be able to make accurate comparisons moving forward in the future.

Hooking mortality and the added pressure is a great concern to me as well.

All we can do is monitor area contests and try to educate that if we want continued success, these big fish need to be released.

The internet and fishing websites are here to stay. My opinion is why not use them as a tool to educate and share information.

I'm well aware that there is group out there that abhores the information shared here and probably mutter "that bleepity bleep that said bleepity bleep about the bleeping fish and the bleeping bite at the bleeping spot"

For me personally it's a small tradeoff for all the great people I've met here.

But yes, unfortunately the "internet" factor is a big one.

......about the fish getting bigger, I guess we'll have to agree to disagree

Dtro, are you planning on attending the BP contest? It would be nice to have some one there to inform some of these so called sportsman that fish this contest, some ethics!

Easy Mate!!!
You and I have had numerous discussions on this.
My point as stated is that to make comparisons at this point in time may not be the most accurate.
As far as the Interntet here to stay... Yep! And I'm in agreement with you as far as far as educating and sharing info.
If you look at my last statement, with the info and data being shared and accumulated we will be able to accurate comparisons.

But to make the statement of "notice that the catches are getting bigger every year" with out accurate info and data to back it up is "Virtually" the same as what people who support these contests stating that these Catfish Contests (live transport) do not hurt the fishery.
I'm not agreeing to disagree or disagreeing to agree.
All I'm saying is that we have no info/data/facts to support the above statements.
And our opinions....... well thats exactly what they are, opinions.

Are the fish getting bigger? Maybe

Have the fish always been this big? Maybe

Are there more people fishing? Maybe

Are people spending more time fishing? Maybe

Can we make accurate comparisons to previous years with the current info available? Maybe

Are we gathering more info and data as a result of the internet? Yes

Will we be able to make more accurate statements in the future in regards to catch size and mortality rates in these types of contests? Yes

Is Dtro the best catfisherman in KOTC? MMMMMaybe. (testing to see who is really following this discussion)

As far as the my spot bit..... We might have to call back in the Wambulance again........

I'm following.

Yea.... I'm following YOU by 2 spots.... in the KOTC leader board.
funny

I think I'm about tapped out in the "upgrade" department. Two 40+ pounders in one year is two more than I thought I'd catch this year.

I think were both about tapped out... We got maybe 2 more months... Maybe a fish god will shine on one of us.
Time will tell, till then.... keep checkin your rear view mirror.

I figure this to be the same as these Catfish Contests. Short of going down on opening day and firing a couple rounds in the air , going to jail and hoping you get out on bail before the next one, I do not see any valid way of stopping them.

It is like ML netting or Global Warming, all you can do is hope for the best or loose sleep thinking about it.

I feel an over whelming hint/sense of liberalism right now from this thread . Kind of like “save the whales” and green peace kind of stuff, which is very ok in my book. I am not going as far as P.E.T.A. or anything . Someone has to do something or we end up like Wis, or will we?

All Dtro can do is forward the info found from this thread and the feelings of some of MN River cat fisherman right to the heads of these contest's and hope for a positive reaction. Maybe open an eye or two. That and also forward the info to St. Paul.

Maybe LFC is correct also. We really have no proof these contest have much, if any impact on the flat head fish population in the MN river. Maybe the DNR has counter data to prove something different. Sounds like they are looking at the flat head in more of a positive light now-a-days. Plus we do not have commercial fishing like RAB said Wis. had.

Maybe some look at it like a Hippie walking threw your home town, some just do not want to see that. It is doing no harm, but the mind and testosterone run wild .

For the record, this thread was not meant to bash any contests or anyone following the law (remember they are legal). Merely a vehicle for discussion and awareness.

The last thing I would want to see happen is a another vigilante group such as the Musky Mafia come of such discussions.