Modify current length restrictions for bass at CJ Strike Reservoir to improve bass size structure.
Rationale
CJ Strike Reservoir supports an abundant bass population that garners high effort and angling interest from anglers. Feedback from a variety of anglers indicated a desire to improve bass sizes at CJ Strike Reservoir. Modifying fishing regulations to allow harvest of small bass (i.e., < 12") may increase growth of remaining bass and improve bass size.
Also, information from population surveys, fish tagging, and creel surveys at CJ Strike Reservoir suggest harvest of Smallmouth Bass over 12 inches is higher than most other waters in the state and is affecting size. In addition, anglers have indicated a strong desire to protect larger bass from harvest. This proposal would remove the current 12-inch minimum length limit, but only allow harvest of 1 bass over 16 inches, while maintaining the current daily bag limit of 6. In summary, this proposal is designed to thin out small bass to increase growth, and reduce harvest of larger bass.
This change is presented in Option A and the current regulations are shown in Option B:
Option A: Bass limit is 6 per day, only 1 over 16 inches
Option B: Bass limit is 6 per day, none under 12 inches
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.
Proposal
Modify current length restrictions for bass at CJ Strike Reservoir to improve bass size structure.
Rationale
CJ Strike Reservoir supports an abundant bass population that garners high effort and angling interest from anglers. Feedback from a variety of anglers indicated a desire to improve bass sizes at CJ Strike Reservoir. Modifying fishing regulations to allow harvest of small bass (i.e., < 12") may increase growth of remaining bass and improve bass size.
Also, information from population surveys, fish tagging, and creel surveys at CJ Strike Reservoir suggest harvest of Smallmouth Bass over 12 inches is higher than most other waters in the state and is affecting size. In addition, anglers have indicated a strong desire to protect larger bass from harvest. This proposal would remove the current 12-inch minimum length limit, but only allow harvest of 1 bass over 16 inches, while maintaining the current daily bag limit of 6. In summary, this proposal is designed to thin out small bass to increase growth, and reduce harvest of larger bass.
This change is presented in Option A and the current regulations are shown in Option B:
Review the proposal below and submit by June 10, 2024, at 6 p.m. MDT.
After reviewing feedback and considering agency goals, season recommendations will be presented to the Commission for their consideration at the July 2024 meeting.