They are better than lobster when I smoke them. lol

I was just pointing out that it was you not I, that chose to renew the debate. doesn't bother me a bit, I'm always game.
 
"why is it so hard to admit that perhaps C&R fishing has been a major contributing factor in the huge runs erie streams get?!?!?"
 
Because is simply do not believe that. A factor maybe/probabley, but a "MAJOR" factor. I don't think so. So. after year with large jack runs, you have more larger fish the next year. Is it because all those jacks were released, and ran again? Perhaps some, but not totally by any means. It just means there were more 2 yr olds over all the previous year, thus more 3 yr olds to run the subsequent year.
 
Let's keep simple numbers. 1 million stocked. one year sees typical recruitment ( survival ) of let's say 20%. That's 200,000 fish. Now 30% percent make a "run" as 2 yr olds that's 60,000 2 year olds in the stream, and 140,000 that remain in the lake to run as 3 yr olds.
 
Now the next year recuitment is high, 30%. Now you have 300,000 fish 90,000 ( 50% more ) enter as 2 yr olds, and 210,000 ( also a 50% increase ) remain to run as 3 yr olds. You will have an increase in the typical 6-8 lb'ers regardless of CR rates the next year.
 
In fact with the second year, there are more fish in the lake waiting for their 3rd year to run, than there were overall the previous year.
 
Yoyr assumptions, require that all members of a year class make a "run" as 2 yr olds, and then would return again as 3 year olds. The overwhelming majority of fish in the stream are 3 yr. olds making their 1st run.

ORIGINAL: kilbasi kid

Would more people take home if per say steelhead tasted like lobster?

you bet your sweet bippie!! 

ORIGINAL: kilbasi kid Is it really the angler thing to do do catch and release,or if it tasted I mean truly exceptional would you keep more?

how many guys do you know  C&R most of the walleye they catch?
If they do, it's cause they don't like fish (like Jih42581)

If steel tasted like walleye, perch or panfish, there's be a whole lot less C&R only duuds.


to answer your question, of coarse they'd keep more.
(I know you already know that and  was a rhetorical question)


..L.T.A.

To put it in your own pond/lake

ORIGINAL: whatsajob614

To put it in your own pond/lake

I believe this action is now illegal because of the spread of the virus.
Probably shouldn't do this.

I agree with Geenieman77,  If they tasted as good as Walleye or perch people would limit out daily and care less about catch and release.                                                                                     
 
I think taste plays a bigger role in most peoples decision to catch and release than protecting the fisherie,   You bought the liscense, Your aloud to keep your daily set limit if you so choose. I personally don't eat them. But if they were walleye my freezer would be full.

Do you have Poor richards smoke perch and walleye with all their herbs and spices and then pour honey over them to make them taste good? Put enough sweetners and spices on a slab of wood and it will taste good.

S-10.... 
 
To answer your question, all the perch i catch i give to a co-worker's husband who freezes them and i've kept 2 walleye in my life (Gill hooked) and BassAckwards took them both home and ate them.
 
Also, you don't smother your fish with honey, it's not like it's Hormel Chili poured over whatever wasn't edible, but now is.  A light brushing is all you need.  There are several good recipes online. 

Genieman77 wrote, "never ate carp..But i hear they're good if you know how to cook them"

I've read where it's eaten in many Asian countries.

Maybe we should have a poll question?.....

Do you dislike the taste of Lake Erie steelhead, compared to most fish that you have eaten in your lifetime? Yes, I would say, steeelhead is definately in my bottom 10% for taste. There are in the top 10% for freshwater fighting game fish though!

ORIGINAL: Stillhead
   I don't think the C and R makes a noticeable difference in what we see and catch. 

My esteemed colleague, Dr Hoover,   I'll ASSume you mean as far as the over all numbers of fish that run every year?
I agree
 but if the C&R vs meat hunters ratio was turned (80% kept three every time out) there's be  a WHOLE lot less around to pester by this time of year.
and there wouldn't be any DUMB fish left for me to catch

..................................................

Beerman,  I see you're in Key West now?
Did you get out of the drug dealing trade (beer distributor) and do a Hemingway on us?
(wasn't it Hemingway that loved the Keys?)


..L.T.A.

Some may disagree, no wait, most will disagree....BUT, if prepared correctly, they do taste exceptional.  The only way I cook them is on the grill.  I wish more people did take more fish to balance out the population in PA more.  You'd surely see better quality and bigger fish.  I don't want to get into all the details since spoon does a darn good job of explaining it and it has all been discussed on many other threads hundreds of times over.  Bottom line is that when you have appropriate/natural numbers of fish for any given body of water, you have healthier and better quality fish.  Keep in mind, this WILL reduce the numbers game which seems to be more the focus on the PA tributaries.  Most aren't willing to give that up.  Heres something to ponder.....Do you actually think you'd see the crowds you see on the Erie tribs if the steelhead fishing was more of a challenge??

I release almost all the fish I catch.  Don't care for the taste of these fish and only take meat home to friends and family when they ask for it.

I keep steelies only if my dad wants one to be smoked for the holidays, thats maybe one or two every other year at best. I keep panfish through the ice and in the summer once in a while. We go to a wild game feast every year and we donate,perch, bluegill & crappie filets to the cause.
Besides that only if I pay for a charter will I keep fish, unless its going on the wall. But how often do any of us catch a wall hanger. I only have 5 fish mounted in over 30+ years of fishing.

I think someone else said it... it all comes down to personal taste.  I know both my parents love liver and onions and i can't stand liver or onions...lol.  But most of the food i ate growning up came from a box too.  To me, this is a never ending debate, well both of them... C&R and taste for fish.  I think if I fished more/caught more steelies, then i would release more.  I've fished probably a dozen times for them this year and only landed 5.  If i would have limited each time, i probably would only have kept about a dozen or so.  ppl at my work love them.  I've brought in 3 fillets so far and warmed them up and left them in the lunchroom.  In about an hour it's all gone.  But there are those who hate it when i do this.  I have also received 4 steelies from friends that i gave to a shelter for troubled ppl that i walk by everyday to work.  They loved it.  They don't have the ability (mentally or physically) to go fishing nor the money for tackle.  I guess you can say it's a small way I give back.

Carp were brought to this country over 150 years ago as a cheap source of protein for a growing country.....Carp are nearly impervious to toxins. 

you guys were talking about fish worthy of hanging on the wall. i am curious to know what size stealhead you might consider for taxidermy