Donating Steelhead to local food bank?

Would you expect the food bank to smoke the fish or donate an already smoked fish?  I heard there was a 2 for 1 trade in at some local tackle shop.  You could keep one and donate the second.

I don't know. I've heard of guys donating them to friends for coon bait though.

ORIGINAL: Catching Chrome

I just thought I'd ask. Has it ever been done? I know you can donate deer but what about steelhead? Seeing how they all die each year why not keep and donate?

 
Steelhead do not die after spawning. They go back to the lake and will spawn again the following year.

Not great numbers but some do. I don't think most get that chance in Erie.

yeah, it would be nice if the creeks would be capable of raising a wild steelhead population. I don't have a problem with taking fish. I just hate when guys will stockpile every fish they catch in the freezer just to throw them out later bc they are freezer burned.

of course the steel will unceremoniousley be paraded around the local bar before being put into a deep freeze till spring clean up,, when the wife or live in girlfriend says WHAT DO YOU WANT TO DO WITH THESE FREEZERBURNED FISH,, wich then bubba replies,,throw them over the hills for the coons there answer for all stuff that is unedibale.

Sry, didn't see this.

I think the concept that these fish are stocked initially means they are somehow of a lesser value than a native fish and therefore people can do pretty much what they want with them because more will be put into the streams.  There are two problems with that thinking.
 
First, there is no mid season stocking for steelies.  The Fish Commission does put a few they have collected for breeding back into the streams, but that is it.  Steelhead require several years to mature in the lake.  The fish you are catching today were stocked several years ago.  Once this current run is depleted, that's it until next year.  The supply of fish is not limitless.
 
Second, these are living creatures.  If you don't want to eat them or give them to someone who will or if you happen to have a trophy fish or kill a fish while catching it, there really is no good reason to keep them.  Please put them back gently so someone else can enjoy the thrill of catching a steelie.  Honestly, the macho need to drag a fish home just to prove to your buddies how great a fisherman you are is pretty stupid.  We have cameras, take a picture and return the fish.
 
Please be good stewards of the resource we have and leave as many fish for others as you can.

Carp if you are going to eat them great.  Rope all you want, but if you are going to waste them, why do that?  If you are going to donate the fish to the food pantries, great.  Go for it.  I am not against keeping fish that will be eaten.  What I have a problem with is people keeping fish just because they can and end up throwing them out.  I find that a waste of the resource.

What have I started!!!!!!

Carpin, not tryin to start an argument.  Bughawk said "if you aren't going to eat them or give them to someone who will....put them back" 
 
That's hardly catch and release only.  That's being wise, taking care of our fishery and not being wasteful. 
So next time before you criticize or take umbrage at what someone says, read the post fully first. 

No one is saying there's anything wrong with keeping fish provided you do it legally and actually use them rather than wasting them....Sigh. 

Fisherofmen,   I agree . 

ORIGINAL: Bughawk



Second, these are living creatures.  If you don't want to eat them or give them to someone who will or if you happen to have a trophy fish or kill a fish while catching it, there really is no good reason to keep them.  Please put them back gently

darn tootin' !!

Right    after I IMPALE them with sharp steel and YANK them around by the jaw as they  STRUGGLE and FIGHT for their LIVES to point of EXHAUSTION........I always "gently" release them




























sorry, Bugs, i could resist being ornery.
I do agree with you.

I do also find it an interesting dichotomy that we all torture these fish for our "recreation and fun", but some scream bloody murder when an angler gives one a shove back in with a boot after pulling a hook.
like they're  some how abusing one of God's  creatures, but they're not


..L.T.A.

AMEN BUGHAWK ; WELL SAID!