At their January meeting, the NRC adopted the preliminary rule to change the black bass size limits on rivers and streams in Indiana. The proposed rule needs to be vetted by the state budget agency before it is published, so we are still months away from a final vote. That said, adoption means they now formally begin the comment period on the regulation. Here is the language for the new rule change:
Amends 312 IAC 9-7-6 to replace the minimum size limit of twelve inches for black bass taken from rivers or streams with a statewide requirement that black bass taken from rivers and streams must be less than twelve inches long or greater than 15 inches long, with not more than two black bass being greater than 15 inches long.
Personally, I'm all for the new rule change. We've had a 14" limit on bass in lakes and reservoirs for quite some time, and I'm glad to see the river regs finally catching up. I also think it will be cool (if adopted) to see how this particular regulation affects our moving water fisheries. Normally, slot limits are only used to restructure populations when you have an overabundance of small fish, similar to what was done on Patoka in the 90's. In this case, many rivers probably don't have that problem. I also am not aware of any other state using a slot limit like this as an all-inclusive statewide regulation. To me, that is where the 'coolness' of the rule lies. Indiana would basically be a testing ground, really a ground breaker in this area. Lots of studies and research would be generated from this effort, I assume.
At the heart of the matter though is the increased protection of larger bass, especially smallmouth. This new rule would protect some of the best spawners in the population, those 12"-15" fish. Additionally, it would only allow for daily harvest of just 2 fish over 15", as opposed to at present, 5 over 12", or compared to an across the board 14" limit like on lakes and reservoirs, 5 over 14". It basically cuts down on the possible overharvest of quality sized bass, without further restricting the total number of bass allowed to be harvested daily - a nice win-win.
Anyway, however you feel about the new rule, now is the time to give your input so that the commission will have a good sense for the general support behind this rule change, or the amount of opposition. So go to the following link, scroll down in the small rules box to the next to the last regulation entitled "Smallmouth Bass (Black Bass)", then click "comment on this rule." That will take you to a page where you can leave your comments, just like posting in a forum or leaving comments on this site. Pretty simple.
Put this in the insa forum dingy.
Posted by: cbyak | January 21, 2011 at 08:41 PM
I wonder if the change would go for the Ohio river too? Or would it stay the same.
Posted by: JustinM | January 21, 2011 at 08:43 PM
Done, Chuck :)
Justin - As I understand it, largely due to keeping in tact all the reciprocal agreements in place with Ohio and Kentucky, the Ohio River main stem would not change at all, still 6 fish of 12". Tributaries don't fall under the reciprocal agreements at present, though I would think there would have to be some exception in there if this passes. Very similar thing on Lake Michigan tributaries. I also wouldn't be surprised to see some exception for portions of the St. Joseph River. Beyond that though I don't think there would be any any other major issues by user groups.
Posted by: Big Indiana Bass | January 21, 2011 at 09:18 PM
Good point. Most people don't fish the main river that much for black bass. And a lot of us already carry Kentucky and Indiana license for this reason. Speaking of which it's almost that time of year again to buy licenses. I really wish tenn and Kentucky would work something out for Barkley and Kentucky on license. Not to mention have the same regulations on fish size.
Posted by: JustinM | January 22, 2011 at 12:16 AM