New paddlefish record

sakorick · March 23, 2022, 12:26:22 PM

The Missouri Department of Conservation (MDC) congratulates Jim Dain of Pittsfield, Ill. for snagging a monster 140-pound, 10-ounce paddlefish March 18 at the Lake of the Ozarks. The latest record breaks the previous record of 140-pounds, 9-ounces set in 2015 on Table Rock Lake.

Paul Hoskins · March 23, 2022, 01:02:11 PM

Big sucker. Sure beats a sardine.

.....Paul H .....

Jamie.270 · March 23, 2022, 05:42:08 PM

What a hog.

Shame he can't take any roe home with him.

gitano · March 25, 2022, 08:28:56 AM

He can take the roe AS LONG AS he doesn't take it out of the fish first. In other words, if he takes the fish home whole, he can have the roe. However, once home, the roe cannot leave his property. LEGALLY, he can't go next door with a jar of caviar to share with friends.

Big fish! We'll be fishing that lake in three weeks.

Paul

Jamie.270 · March 25, 2022, 12:59:50 PM

Quote from: gitano;156401He can take the roe AS LONG AS he doesn't take it out of the fish first. In other words, if he takes the fish home whole, he can have the roe. However, once home, the roe cannot leave his property. LEGALLY, he can't go next door with a jar of caviar to share with friends.

Big fish! We'll be fishing that lake in three weeks.

Paul

I don't think he has to worry about Illinois enforcing Missouri's game laws.
I wouldn't.

Still, it's an amazing catch.

Keep us posted on your trip Paul. Last year's paddlefish post(s) were enlightening indeed.

gitano · March 25, 2022, 03:53:59 PM

While the angler is from Illinois, he caught the fish in Missouri. Missouri laws apply.

Paul

Jamie.270 · March 25, 2022, 04:02:06 PM

Quote from: gitano;156408While the angler is from Illinoise, he caught the fish in Missouri. Missouri laws apply.

Paul

Once he takes the fish home to Illinois, with the roe intact, then cleans the fish and removes the roe, I don't think he needs to worry about IL LEOs busting him for taking a jar of caviar over to his neighbor.

I know once I got it home, the only answer I would give would be: "what roe?"

gitano · March 25, 2022, 04:10:07 PM

Right on. However, I wouldn't assume Ill. doesn't have similar laws. Black market dealing in paddlefish roe has driven the paddlefish to extinction locally. Its current distribution is probably only 25% of what it once was. Plus, this is a 'special' fish. "People" will KNOW about it, AND the angler, before he even gets home. I wouldn't be surprised to hear that he got a 'visit' from the local constabulary shortly after arriving home.

Paul

Jamie.270 · March 25, 2022, 04:46:23 PM

If it's that big of a concern then they should shut down fishing for it.
Completely.

Arresting/citing/fining someone for sharing their good fortune with a neighbor is worse than selling the roe IMO.

gitano · March 25, 2022, 05:38:55 PM

Lemme 'splain...

First, as demonstrated disastrously in Africa, and in some isolated places in the States, when you don't let The People have access to a resource, they lose ALL interest. Then, efforts to engender support to save a critically endangered species, fall on deaf ears. Simultaneously, if there is a commercial market for the resource (ivory or roe, let's say), the criminals continue to take and the public has no interest in 'the problem', because it's not "theirs".

Second, due to the value of paddlefish roe, (about $35/ounce), AND since there is more than 15 lbs of roe in a 50# fish, (more than $8400), AND since the possession limit is two fish; requiring the fish to remain whole, lets honest people keep fish, while not allowing dishonest people to strip row from snagged fish and throw the body back in the water. Which is exactly what was done for years leading to the crash of the populations.

Most places that used to have paddlefish ARE closed. However, there are a few places, like Lake of the Ozarks, where The People CAN fish for them. But... They can NOT make money doing it. The truth is, the VAST majority of people 1) don't know how to prepare caviar, and 2) wouldn't eat it if they did.

You know me well enough to know that I don't defend gubment fascism. These regs are protecting a resource until its numbers can be rebuilt in most if its original range. And... There is NO ONE that likes caviar more than me.

Paul

sakorick · March 25, 2022, 07:51:18 PM

"There is NO ONE that likes caviar more than me." Well I kind of like it too! Those 12 jars are gone! This year we have modern side looking fish finders......I am leaning forward in the foxhole!!:D

gitano · March 25, 2022, 08:53:27 PM

That's why I emphasized "more". There are people that like it as much as I do.

Paul

Jorge in Oz · April 18, 2022, 06:44:19 PM

Wow strange looking fish