Oh, wait.  I got another one.  She'll bl*w for burbot.

That's only 29% of 30% of 6% of the 2% that were stocked.  Drop in the bucket.

BettR then hir gifing yue samen.

She flounder snapper.

Shutup ..
 
I believe the process of smoltification is not entirely understood but timing is critical.  Whether that has to do with length of daylight, water temp, flows, moon phase, etc ... I don't know.   Perhaps all the above??

How long do the smolts stay in the tribs before entering the lake?

What I meant was humans being a factor in injuring or killing smolt...
 
I KNOW WE STOCK THEM!!!!
 
Put and take....BLA  BLA   BLA

Gentlemen,
     If I may, I'd like to interject my two cents here.  Although I only manage to come up a couple of times per year.  When I do come up I am on the streams 10-12 hours a day for a week.  While I do agree with spoon and very much respect his opinions I have observed some real cases of wrong behavior leading up to and after the 1st day of trout season.  Especially after.   One year I spent the first Sunday on Elk and I observed at least 4 parents with kids in tow, and each kid had some smolt on a stringer or in a plastic bag.  When I told one of the dads that the little rainbows he had were smolt he: got very mad, defended his actions since his kids were having fun, and told me what I could do with my information.
     Now I'm just a "tourist" but SOME of the ideas put forth here aren't too far fetched.  How about these suggestions:  After 1 March till May 15 the tribs go to artificals only.  No bait (which is swallowed more easily).  Minimum 15" size, limit one fish per day.  This isn't going to really hurt too many people.  Plus it will help prevent the unknowing/uncaring from impacting the fishery.  I like the idea of allowing small browns but... The uncaring usually don't know what type of fish they are catching.  They are lucky if they can identify a trout from a sucker in some cases (seen it).  They buy a license and just fish.  As an example I was on the Penn State water at Spruce Creek two years ago and I met two guys, fishing with worms, who each had three fish.  1.  They claimed they didn't know.  2. There were lots of fish and they were hitting worms (imagine that) 3.  They didn't see any wardens.  4 Why should I care it was public water, I didn't own it.
       At any rate, Spoon, Shut Up, you have good ideas and valuable opinions, just in this case I disgaree.  If I, a person who only gets to fish PA twice per year, can live with the restrictions why can't anybody else who can fish anytime they want (within reason).  These people who can't live with restrictions should probably never fish Yellowstone, most of Montana, Wyoming, or most of our National Parks.  On some of the National Parks you have to know where you are on the creek because the rules change depending on where you are on the streams.

I'm not sure the "fisherman" in question (ones that keep smolt) would be affected by the size limit. It's 7" for trout...aren't the smolt smaller than that anyway?
 
At any rate it's tough to change the habits of slobs (not that anyone here is that type) you just have to try and shame them if you see stupid and illegal behavior.
 
This type of discussion is good though, I wish the PFBC would read and post on this site there have been many good thoughts and suggestions put forth on here.

Tippy,
 
Many of the smolt, at least by the time pellethead season starts, are indeed of "legal" size. I would not be opposed to an inrease in the size limit to 9 in. which is supposed to be the average for stockies now. I don't believe there are so many smolts being harvested that it would have any impact, but I wouldn't oppose it.

 "But doesn't a degree of parental responsibility go hand in hand with it."
 
Yes, but the reality is that you cannot regulate, or legislate parental responsibilty. The spring fishery has existed for years, and yet the Steelhead fishery is STILL going strong. I guess I just can't understand folks desire, or need to find a solution to a problem that does not exist. 

"IF I could have my preferences I would like to see certain stretches of the tribs, and certain streams made Artifical Lures Only to help prevent fish mortality."
 
I would buy that arguement if it was documented that such fishing techniques actually contributed to a lower mortality rate.  I have seen, and caught, several fish that have inhaled flies as well as "natural" baits.  Similarly, fish mortality is not just a matter of how a fish is caught, but also, how the fish is handled after the fish has been hooked.  Protecting the "slime" coating is of importance.  Allowing fish to flop around on rocks, sand, and waiting several minutes to take the pic of a lifetime while being held with dry hands also contributes to the cause.
 
This is all, of course, pre-supposing that Steelhead mortality is a huge concern or issue regarding the future of the fishery.  To this point, no one has given any scientific evidence to support this belief.
 
Doc

"Spoon, I'm not sure what you mean by "problem" but I'd call fishing outside of the regulations a problem (whether condoned by a parent or not), agreed it is not an epidemic on the tribs, but it is a problem everywhere."
 
Tippy, I agree that such behavior is a problem. What I mean, is that it is not prevelant enough to be a threat to the fishery. Nor is it a reason to deny opportunity to ethical anglers. If they fish outside the current regulations, adding more won't stop them.

ORIGINAL: spoonchucker

I would bet, that there is a much higher mortality rate due to folks over playing fish in September. Than there is from deep hooked fish.

 
Spoon, we seem to be disagreeing allot lately
 
I disagree with that statement also, I would imagine that fewer fish die from overplaying in Sept. then do from abuse in their youth or getting the rope.

How about the stoppage of stocking tributary streams with pelletheads?  Take those fish, and place them in areas that have received little, or no, stockings in the past?
 
Doc