Quote:
Originally Posted by Acres per Second
1) As a shoreline property-owner, I at least, do "get a say" here. 
2) It may not be "unsportsman-like" to drag Bass off their nests, but it is often overlooked that it's other than fishermen that "need" a supply of fish. 
3) New Hampshire's Birdlife requires a large quantity of fish during a relatively short season. 
4) It matters to residents' quality of life that Ospreys, Mergansers, Eagles, and Kingfishers can ever regain their former numbers.
5)The number of Loons—and even Cormorants—appear to be diminished this year. 
6) Fishing the Bass from off their nests must be affecting the former large number of Bass, too.
There are a few small fish along the shoreline where I pull my boat out of the water nearly every day—but I don't recall seeing a single Bass fingerling this year. 
|
HI APS,
First, I really envy you your ownership of lake front property on Winni. A dream I would love to some day enjoy myself but is beyond my means at present. I would like to respond to a few of your numbered points above:
1.) without wanting to parse words in the phrase "as a shorefront owner I do have a say". You certainly have a right to an opinion and to express that opinion even to the guy fishing in front of your property but if by "I do have a say" you mean that as a shorefront owner, you can control what happens in the water under/around/in front of your dock, that is 100% untrue. the lake and it's contents to the high water mark is owned by the State of NH and provided to the public for any legal use they/we feel the urge to engage in. Preventing legal activities by taking actions (like disturbing fish so they don't bite) is actually quite illegal.
2.) it seems you are suggesting that several bird species are starving to death due to over fishing....I would have to see something produced by a biologist that suggests that statement is anywhere near truth and nothing less than hyperbole. Yes loons are adversely affected by lead sinkers which is why they have been banned...if F&G did this to save the species don't you think they would limit fishing if the birds were starving?
...other points were addressed in the post above this one.
Thank you for keeping the discussion civil. I do respect property owners. If I see an owner on a dock while approaching it, I always ask if they mind me fishing their dock or raft. If they say yes, I move on with a polite smile and wave. On the other hand, tourney guys who are looking to cash a check and win sponsors and are doing this for a living may just ignore your complaints and pluck that big ol' bass off the bed....as is their "right". If you try to stop them, at that point you would be committing a crime and subject to heavy fine.