LA Trout Facts...

[biggun]

For all U Trout GURU's


FYI... From a Seminar I attended in BR last week...

LOUISIANA SPECKLED TROUT FACTS

Over the years 2004 - 2013, recreational anglers harvested an average of 9.4M speckled trout from Louisiana waters. 2008 was the highest year (11.7M) and the lowest was 2010 (7.4M).

? The recreational fishery was unregulated until 1977 when a combined daily limit of 50 was placed on trout and redfish.

? In 1984 the possession limit was reduced to the daily limit, and a saltwater fishing license was required (which was intended to pay for the saltwater finfish program).

? A 12? recreational and 14? commercial minimum size limit went into effect in 1987.

? In 1988 the recreational limit was reduced to 25.

? 15 fish daily take and possession limit, with no more than 2 trout exceeding 25?,regardless of where taken, in a defined area of Cameron and Calcasieu Parishes in southwestern Louisiana was adopted by a 4-3 vote of the Louisiana Wildlife andFisheries Commission in June of 2006.

Why do we have a 12-inch minimum size on speckled trout?

? 100% of the males and 50 - 75% of the females are sexually mature at 12 inches long. This allows each female the opportunity to replace itself before being harvested.

Why don?t we have a larger minimum size, such as 14 inches?

? In Louisiana, males do not reach a size of 14 inches until their third or fourth years. Since few specks live beyond age 5, and more than 70% of the total speckled trout population is age 3 or younger, very few males grow to larger sizes. This would result in a loss of recreational opportunity to harvest the males and could possibly cause a shift ofharvest pressure to females.

Why is there a 25-fish creel limit?

? Creel limits assist managers in controlling effort; however, in the case of speckled trout the 25-fish creel limit is of no real BIOLOGICAL or EFFORT value. It is simply a number agreed upon in 1988.

? The intent of the 25-fish limit was social in nature. Its sole effect was to spread out the
catch or allowing more anglers to catch trout.
? If managers felt that a reduction if effort was needed, the creel limit could be lowered. A model could be run to project the outcomes, but it is safe to say that unless it is reduced to below 10 the only outcome would be spreading out the harvest.

How many of the undersized, released speckled trout survive?

? During 1994 and 1995, LDWF conducted a study on the survival of released speckled trout. The survival rate depended on the fishing method. Treble hook with artificial bait had a 97% survival rate, single hook artificial bait was 91%, treble hook with bait had 83%, and single hook with bait was 74%. The overall average survival rate was 82.5%. 10% release mortality is used in the stock assessment.

Why don?t we close the season during spawning time?

? Speckled trout have a protracted spawning season, (April to September). Closing the season during spawning would result in a 5 to 7-month closure. Also, from a biological perspective, any removal of a female fish from a population has the same impact.
Regardless of whether the fish is caught 8 months or 8 days before it spawns, the resultis the removal of the fish and all her potential offspring. Since there is little biological advantage to such a measure and since the closure would take place during the months of best fishing weather and peak recreational activity, the social and economic negatives outweigh the possible benefits.
What is the future of recreational speckled trout fishing?

? The future of the fishery depends on two factors: good habitat and good management.

If our coastal areas remain unpolluted and coastal erosion is controlled, management will be the key. Management priorities, as set by recreational leadership, will determine whether the fishery is managed for liberal limits and smaller fish or restrictive creel limits and larger fish.

[fromtheoldschool]

Thanks for the report.

[jl8200]

Cool info. Thanks for that.