Lmb Catch and Release Plan

[soggysandwich]

Here is my plan, that will only happen if my parents with let me. Okay i want to setup a 55gal grow out tank for lmb. i wanna catch them at 1"-5" at a local pond then keep them till they are about 18" then release them back into the same pond, then start over with another small one. But before i do this i wanna know what should i feed them so that when it comes time to release them they dont die of starvation cause they lost there fishing skills. Thanks

 

[drewish]

If this is not a private pond, please do not release fish back into the wild. I actually believe it is illegal to do so in Illinois without the proper permits.

 

[soggysandwich]

well its not a private pond as in i own it but its private to the people in my neighbor hood. also what would be illegal? catching the fish, or releasing it?

 

[Bud_Man_Jr]

no no no no,that is bad you may put new viruses and stuff is the pond.just keep one as a pet.dont meess up the balance like that plz.

 

[soggysandwich]

ok well i guess that rules out me getting a bass. there is no way im going to be able to get a big enough tank, im having a hard time getting a 55gal. maybe ill just keep some sunfish fish and with they get big ill eat 'em

PS: i was just thinking, what happens when they stock a pond/lake with fish, couldnt that also bring in new viruses?

 

[Bassman89]

ok well i guess that rules out me getting a bass. there is no way im going to be able to get a big enough tank, im having a hard time getting a 55gal. maybe ill just keep some sunfish fish and with they get big ill eat 'em

mmm...sunfish are great eatin lol

 

[drewish]

well its not a private pond as in i own it but its private to the people in my neighbor hood. also what would be illegal? catching the fish, or releasing it?

Releasing the fish would be illegal unless you had the permits. As long as you catch them legally, which in most states would be by line-n-hook for gamefish, you are fine in regards to keeping it in an aquarium. You would have to get a stocking permit to legally release it.

That pond is probably considered public. My community lake here still falls under VA fishing regulations.

Diseases are an issue in releasing fish but not the only issue. You might think it is safe since that is the same waters they came from but there are other factors.

 

[drewish]

ok well i guess that rules out me getting a bass. there is no way im going to be able to get a big enough tank, im having a hard time getting a 55gal. maybe ill just keep some sunfish fish and with they get big ill eat 'em

PS: i was just thinking, what happens when they stock a pond/lake with fish, couldnt that also bring in new viruses?

There are A LOT of fish you can keep in a 55 gal and most are more exciting than a LMB.

Only certain people can stock public ponds in most states (DNR, DGIF). These fish are mostly captive bred in a controlled environment reducing the introduction of diseases.

 

[hmt321]

You could keep a bluegill in a 55 for life, or you could probably keep a pair of longear.

 

[Oddball]

PS: i was just thinking, what happens when they stock a pond/lake with fish, couldnt that also bring in new viruses?

The hatcheries that are under contract to stock ponds/lakes have their own government-monitored lab facilities and they'll sacrifice part of the stocking batches to run tests to determine the fish are within health standards to allow releasing them into stocking areas.