Quote:
Originally Posted by MathGeek
Though I have no opinion on the limits on spotted sea trout in Big Lake, it does make sense that LDWF considers setting location specific limits on this species. Unlike redfish and most other sport saltwater species, the overwhelming majority of spotted sea trout spend their whole lives in a single estuary and odds are the parents, grandparents and great grandparents of 95% of the trout caught in Big Lake also grew up and spent their whole lives in Big Lake (or some other part of the Calcasieu estuary). If a spotted sea trout population is over-harvested in a single estuary, or takes a big population hit due to an environmental or other factor, the population is much less resilient than other species.
In contrast, the parents of redfish and most other sport species in Big Lake may have spent time in any other estuary within 200 miles along the gulf coast. If the redfish in any given estuary are over harvested or devestated due to an environmental issue, then the redfish from surrounding estuaries will quickly repentish the population within a year or two.
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x2, I don't think it hurts to be pro-active on conservation and preserving a fishery. Keep in mind a 29 or 30 inch trout is about 9 years old. With more and more people including Texans like myself flocking over there to get in your way, I think acting early is a good move. The pressure is getting heavier and heavier every year as word has gotten out on what an exceptional fishery LA has. We fish it often every year but release every thing over 24 inches.