Blue Catfish Slot-Ban

[evertrap]

I want to make everyone aware of the fact that at the MDC Commission meeting this coming Monday (March 11) in Neosho, they will most likely finalize the blue catfish slot-ban for Lake of the Ozarks, Truman Lake, and every stream and river that runs into them all the way to the Kansas line.

This law requires that you throw back all blue catfish (also called white catfish) that are 26" to 34" in length (approx 7 to 16 pounds).  It doesn't matter if they are injured, dying or stone dead, it will be illegal to keep them, basically eliminating the practice of trot-lining, limb-lining and jug-lining since this is the size and species of fish that most people catch and want to keep to eat.

If passed, the law will be published in the Missouri Register, and you will have 30 days to comment.  If you don't think your comments matter, remember Rand Paul's recent filibuster.

If it doesn't pass, thank God and all those who took the time to oppose this theft of our rights and heritage.

At this same meeting, they may also finalize banning the sale of crawfish for bait.  This action also needs your help.  The fish farmers and bait dealers are a large part of the lake economy that will be taking this hit for no reason.

[bigjohn]

No offence meant Linda,but I think the MDC is going to push the catfish deal through reguardless.

[bverboy]

so is the mississippi and missouri rivers excluded from this? this really stinks!!!!!! also put your location under your profile.. bwahahahhaaa just kidding, sorry

[krank]

Clever way to get rid of trotliners....

[Deleted]

Big john no offence ment but i thought you told me mdc was on our side??? Why would they be doing this ?

[bigjohn]

You have to realize ,the MDC has to make alot of different people happy,but have to use the scientific data that is provided to them through surveys,creel checks,and a hostof other ways they have to gather it.Now I'm sure some of it gets muddled by folks with their own agenda,such as tournament fisherman,commercial fisherman,etc.It's the job of the MDC to sift through all this and make a decision based on both scientific data and public input.They can't make everyone happy with their decisions.

[Deleted]

I understand what your saying just dont like it. I was planning to trot line this year never done it before. Always been a pole man. We will see how it goes.

[trkyslyr]

I have already sent my comments in against this regulation change... I do agree with bigjohn that MDC will pass it regardless of what comments are made... IMO, if they actually enforce the regs, they would be better off.... I have yet to be checked on LOZ and I have fished there for over 30 years.... try to go a 1/2 mile without seeing trotlines or limb lines not being used... if they actually checked for bag limits and wrote tickets to those not utilizing these methods correctly, it would greatly improve the cat fishing in LOZ, instead, like every other agency, they think more rules are better than enforcing the ones they have...

[Deleted]

I couldent use trot or limb lines in the state of sandiego california but i still caught mud and channel with pole and bait. Couldent wait to get away from communism here we go again.

[evertrap]

They done it. Three commissioners of the Missouri Dictatorship of Confiscation. The law goes to the Missouri Register around the end of this month. It would be great if a couple of hundred would voice their opposition to it during the 30 day comment period (because they have to print how many were against it in the register).

This isn't your grandfather's MDC. They threw out science a long time ago.

[trkyslyr]

What is the Missouri Register and how do we voice our opposition there?

[krank]

Science would involve knowing that those whitecat come up the river in schools by the hundreds (or 1000s). If you see a bunch of boats drifting in the main channel on the Osage then you know the cat are running. Happens every year on truman.
Yep, it is a plot to stop "liners". You can still trotline though. I guess you will have to use smaller bait to catch the littler ones or bigger bait for the big ones. Probably will increase noodling......

[evertrap]

The Missouri Register is where the new laws or changes in laws must be published.

This is posted under each MDC item:
Anyone may file a statement in support of or in opposition to this proposed amendment with Tom A. Draper, Deputy Director, Department of Conservation, PO Box 180, Jefferson City, MO 65102-0180. To be considered, comments must be received within thirty (30) days after publication of this notice in the Missouri Register.

Draper's email is [e-mail]

There is a trick...   You have to clearly say that you are opposed to the regulation in the first sentence.  If you say something like "You don't know what you're doing." or "Eat my shorts" they will categorize your comment as uncommitted or off topic.  They will do absolutely anything to make it appear they are right and you agree.

They post the register twice a month, but I don't know how soon this will be published.  The earliest will be the April 1 edition that usually comes out a few days before that date.

[krank]

I dont know what they think their gain is but the are about to suffer a "loss". Just wait till all them good old boys that aint got internet find out the hard way as to what happened. Folks are gonna be beyond ticked off. Real bad PR and joojoo for the MDOC....Plus...If Bubba catches a 15 # white then he aint throwing it back.

[trkyslyr]

OK, so he Missouri Register is a web-based site under the secretary of state where proposed changes by MDC have to be publically announced for 30 days prior to implementation?

Is this correct?

[trkyslyr]

I am on the register now, looking around, and do not see a way to comment on anything, anywhere...

[bigjohn]

Durham,this won't affect you on the Missouri river,but there has been talk about changing some of the regs for it too.

[krank]

Wow, things gets bigger the more I chew it. When they put in Truman Lake they made alot of promises. Since then there has been alot of promises broken. I could write an essay on the subject. Throw this on the pile....

[sigpros]

That stinks Durham, we could hit Smithville togther this summer and had a time

[Deleted]

Hey guys!!! Lets get our crayons out and write these guys a kiss my but letter. But dont forget to heed lindas adviceand state your posistion on the subject first before you let em know how you really feel!!!