I was pm'd by someone saying I technically wasnt supposed to take a Bull trout out of the water at all the same way Sturgeon rules apply....but havng consulted the rules and regs all it says is C&R no harvest allowed...where as w Sturgeon it specifically states that you cannot remove them from the water at all...so does anyone know for certain if I could get in trouble for holding it up for pics? If so the rulebook needs to be modified to be more specific....
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I think that was last years rule..this year the regs dont say that anymore...page 47 does give you picture taking tips..
I believe you did nothing wrong...
Match
Fish on!
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When I first saw your picture I was going to caution you and tell you that it wasn't legal for you to take the fish out of the water. I decided I'd better double check before opening my big mouth. I couldn't find anything that says you can't take a bull trout out of the water, or that C/R means not taking the fish out of the water. Near as I can tell, you were legal. I'm not super fond of the idea of taking a fish out of the water that is endangered, but I don't believe you broke any laws..... my 2 cents.
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Well, I am glad that they changed it. A quick picture on a fish smaller than a sturgeon isn't going to do much harm. Bull trout are getting quite plentiful in some areas.
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Glad they don't have a crazy rule like that. Still want to catch one of those fish and when I do will want a pic of it. [
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I went the rounds on that one a couple years back. The regs said "cannot be removed" and I think some "users" interpreted that to mean you can't even lift them out of the water. My understanding was what was intended is that you can't remove them from the water, and put them on a stringer or livewell or some such before releasing them.
Had feedback from several folks who had even been assisted in measuring, photographing, reviving and releasing Bulls by wildlife cops.
I contacted DNR authorities who confirmed my interpretation, and pointed out the 'uncertainty' in enforcing the rules based on the phrasing. THUS the next year the wording was adjusted.
Personally - with proper handling and care - a fish can be lifted, hook removed, and fish safely returned - but with time for a photo. I'd think it could be tough to properly ID a fish without getting a good look at it.
Sturgeon is a different story. Big old fish, long fights - they say don't even lift thier heads out.
Quote: CoyoteSpinner Sturgeon is a different story. Big old fish, long fights - they say don't even lift thier heads out.
I believe with the sturgeon it also deals with their lack of skeletal structure as well.
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exactly...im just going by what the regs say...and dont say i guess...being that it does specify w sturgeon not to remove them from the water I think that says it all...if they dont want Bulls out of the water they should say so...since they didnt Im assuming its ok...and on top of that..sometimes getting the hooks out hanging over the side of the boat in 36 degree water and also having two hooks in the mouth as well...taking the fish out to remove them is not only easier but safer for the fish...
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Ok soooo...just got off the phone with F&G and the gentleman explained I did just fine and that they want the fish handled carefully and returned as unharmed as possible, however its ok to remove them from the water long enough to remove hooks and take some pics..so straight from the horses mouth im good to go..LOL
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Earlier this fall I caught one at Arrowrock while working a jerkbait.I felt bad releasing it since half a six inch bait was out through it's gills. I cut the hooks and pulled it out but it was pretty much dead before it made it to the boat. It flopped around a bit on the surface but I don't think it ever went down. But it never left the water, not for concern for the fish, but because I didn't want blood everywhere. Stuff like that feels like such a waste, I always release everything I catch except when I am certain it will die, but the law says I can't keep that good as dead fish so back in it goes to be wasted.
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I have a few baits like that I use too and I always hate the rear hooks cuz they rarely hit them they always hit the front and then the back one causes side damage during the fight...so ive experimented with bending the barbs in so they dont hurt the fish and yet dont mess up the action which is what would happen if I just removed the rear hook...Sorry to hear you lost one to death...The F&G guy said even though they may lose a few to that problem its not common enough to stop us from fishing for them...did that one you caught have a radio tag?
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Don't the waters that holdthe Bull Trout have special hook regulations?
I know we have a couple of C&R waters here that have no restriction to Trebles which makes no sence to me, but they are artificial flies and lures. Myself and others are working on changing that, so this can't happen.
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It's a good thought, and I can appreciate your concern, but to my knowledge - no, at least not due to Bulls. In the areas I've visited (few) there are signs about every water way you come to, to help you identify the Bulls (Hello Dolly) and explaining the C&R requirement, but nothing at far as hook/bait restictions.
I'm referring to the Sawtooths area around Stanley. Met several bulls up there, and a fine fish they are. SUCH a different feel than a planter-bow, and not just because they are bigger. As your link suggests, there's a notion that they are recovered, or recovering well enough that the C&R restrictions might be changed. I gather they are quite bully-ish. Been told they come and nose-slam the bellies of spawning Kokanee at Alturas Lake (for one) making them pop and release all those yummy eggs.
Many folks I saw fishing used a sliding egg weight, and a treble hook with salmon roe.
I gather the name Dolly Varden - comes from old Dicken's stories - a character with Brightly Colored Petticoats. [url "http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dolly_Varden_trout"]Dolly Varden Trout[/url]
Well according to this F&G guy, the population is becoming stable enough to not require special rules other than C&R...because the majority of species caught in Arrowrock dont require protections like that...on top of the apparant fact that he claims the Bull trout arent in the main lake areas until well into October and November...they winter in the deep lake pools but all spring and summer run far up the rivers so that would explain why I havent caught any before now...The fight of this one was interesting to say the least..for most of the fight he felt like a lead weight and only made a couple short strong runs...but there was no head shake like the trout and Kokes do...but he eventually tried to get away when he was getting near the boat...I had no idea what I had until he was rolling into the net and flashed his side at me...at first I thought i had foul hooked him in the back because thats kinda what he felt like but as I got him closer I saw the radio tag on his back and the hoochie i his mouth...all in all it was a fun experience. I plan to go as much as I can before or IF it freezes over up there...maybe I'll nab another one even bigger...
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By the way a Bull Trout is very much the same as a Dolly Varden...except that Dolly"s are ocean going and Bull's are not...something else I learned form the F&G guy...LOL
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Bull trout are fun!! One year when i was up steel head fishing I got tired of well fishing for steel head so i switched up and targeted the squafish.. and ended up catching a ton of bull trout!! None of them were very big the biggest one was est 17" but none the less they were easy to catch and fun!! There was a video on here not long ago of a bull trout trying to eat a cuthroat. Pretty neat..
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Jimbo, that is the way I read it. They are taking them OFF the endangered list, but then I think all C&R fish should be handled very little (with wet hands) and released quickly. So I say, hold your breath, take the picture, release the fish and your breath. If you pass out, chances are the fish won't survive..[laugh][laugh][laugh][laugh]
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