Overfishing Vs. Underfishing

[YellaBlazer]

All the talk over the possible east side limits have got me thinking.

What's worse for big trout, overfishing or underfishing?

On the overfishing side, too many fish are being taken out of the reproductive pool, resulting in a reduction of fish at all age groups. Even though there's plenty of food, the big trout suffer because they never have a chance to reach that size before they are eventually caught.

On the underfishing side, too many fish are in the population. No matter how much food is available, the trout have more competition for food and spend more energy finding sustainable nutrition rather than growing to big trout status.

Back when there were no limits on trout, how many "big" trout were being caught? Then after each sequential regulation reducing the catch?

What's everyone's thoughts on this?