Terex

Then the professionals are shooting themselves in the foot since many people keep the smaller ones as well as the larger ones. We agree the local man is advocating destroying of the smaller fish. The professionals are allowing the same. That is why I said it wasn't too far off the mark.

Don't invite any game wardens over for dinner if that's the case. Seriously, I don't think anything outside of a dog or cat was "meant" to be kept as a pet. Just keep in mind that game fish in a tank need special attention. Just like a moray eel, piranha, or any other unusual aquatic animal (that some people keep as pets).

One area that I fish in has extreme game warden surveillance. The rule of thumb is 12"-15", catch and release. The smaller ones and the bigger ones are keepers. The idea is to allow the ones that reach "prime" spawning size a chance to repopulate the lakes. I don't think his hoa is too far off the mark.

A stringer is good for keeping fish alive for about an hour or so. And it pretty much means you are keeping them. A live well is your best bet. Or a simple large basket if your boat doesn't have a live well.

Lakes that have at least a fair amount of shallow water vegetation I always use poppers and topwater cranks at twilight/dark hours. Lakes that have little to no shallow water vegetation, I use spinners and diving cranks

I know there are people who have an irrational hatred for those that take home large freshwater fish for consuming. Yet, if it is within the boundaries of the law, I see nothing wrong with it. That being said, I enjoy the taste of fresh lmb, smb, trout, panfish, and catfish. If the fish is of legal size and I have room in the freezer I keep them.