05-27-2008, 11:41 PM
I was wondering what your opinion is of bass tournaments being held on small bass waters? I have read that there is the obvious increased mortality from hooking. However, what about the such effects as releasing the fish all in the same area, large numbers of boats from foreign waters possibly contaminating/introducing harmful intruders (such as quagga mussels, ...yes, with most lakes in Utah you are not asked about this..only at Powell, Sand Hollow and Quail, to my knowledge, and you can simply lie about it anyway), instant pressure to the fishery, etc? It is also enjoyable to be there when there are so many boats on the water (always on a weekend). There should be restrictions as to have them on non-weekends. Most tournament fisherman I have been around during the tournament are rude (move within 50 feet of your fishing spot/ cut you off or not follow "right of way" to speed to a fishing hole, etc).
I also wonder how it affects a small fishery when it is hammered this way 3 months in a row? Yes, I know of one such lake. Many others are hit at least 2 times here in Southern Utah. Shouldn't the DNR put restrictions on the number of boats allowed, the number of tournaments, how frequent, and days of the week on small lakes?
I am not against tournaments (I'm sure you tournament fisherman disagree). However, I think they should place restrictions for such things at small lakes. What do you think?
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I also wonder how it affects a small fishery when it is hammered this way 3 months in a row? Yes, I know of one such lake. Many others are hit at least 2 times here in Southern Utah. Shouldn't the DNR put restrictions on the number of boats allowed, the number of tournaments, how frequent, and days of the week on small lakes?
I am not against tournaments (I'm sure you tournament fisherman disagree). However, I think they should place restrictions for such things at small lakes. What do you think?
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