QUESTION 6 ? Eliminate barbless hooks restriction during early trout season
Numerous scientific studies have been conducted showing that the use of barbed versus barbless hooks
has little effect on trout mortality following release. In a 1997 study published in the North American
Journal of Fisheries Management, for flies and lures combined, the average hook related mortality was
4.5% for barbed hooks and 4.2% for barbless hooks. Because natural mortality for wild trout range from
30-65% annually, the 0.3% difference in the two hook types is irrelevant at the population level, even when
fish are subjected to repeated catch and release. Most biologists agree that how deeply a fish is hooked
has more to do with mortality than what type of hook is used. Despite the scientific evidence, anglers are
required to use barbless hooks only during the early catch-and-release trout season. Elimination of that
restriction would simplify trout fishing regulations and eliminate law enforcement issues.
The use of live bait will still be prohibited during the early catch-and-release trout fishing season.
If adopted, this proposal will take effect on the first day of the month following publication in the Wisconsin
Administrative Register.
Do you support allowing the use of barbed hooks during the early catch-and-release trout
season in Wisconsin?
6. YES_______ NO_______




[url]http://www.dnr.state.wi.us/org/nrbo...;/url]

  I think the reason for use of barbless hooks it to aid in the easy of removal and minimal damage to the fish. I would have to answer No. If you are dedicated enought to go out during the early season you should be able to file off the barbs or to buy barbless hooks. Maybe all hooks should be barbless..... Helps to get them out of the fisherman/fisherwoman too.

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers Member Full Moon Fishers A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. Henry David Thoreau

My thought would be that since a barbed hook tears more flesh and removal leaves a larger wound, that each hooked fish has to spend more time recovering from the catch and release....and therefore not grow as fast as other trout.

 

In effect...reducing the average size of trout.

 

Anyone up for discussion?

Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

They do this with the bass early catch and release season too. I guess I don't really understand the logic of it. If it's bad for the fish, then why have it in place for only part of the season?  Personally I don't care for the barbless season and if supposed scientific research says there is no difference in mortality rates then why have it?

 

 

Angry Bob NAFC Life Member Registered Smallie Fanatic SE WI

  I think just maybe I will go barbless this year and see if it makes a difference in how many I boat. Now I just need to find a supplier of barbless trebles.

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers Member Full Moon Fishers A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. Henry David Thoreau

When I did it last year for my smallie trip I didn't feel as though I lost any fish due to the barbless hook. That was on jigheads not trebles.

 

 

Angry Bob NAFC Life Member Registered Smallie Fanatic SE WI

To me...it would be a whole lot easier to take a pliers / file to some barbed treble hooks. I've been wanting to experiment with this train of thought....and so when I get some of my OTHER projects done....I will rig up a few lures like this and play with them over this next season.
Life Member David BB Linkmeister US Army '78-'85 West Central Wisconsin

Fish I don't know of any that make barbless trebles if ya find any let me know.
Retired-psg /Infantry,Purple Heart and a Few others, VietNam Vet, Ex Deputy Sheriff SCCSD, and all around good Guy! Living in Wisconsin

I like the idea of barbless hooks. Just take you pliers and pinch down the barb, no problem. It also makes getting them out of the fish and you easier
Always drink upstream from the herd----- Life member since March 1990 ---- Hayward Lakes Area, Wi

   Is bending the barb down legal as far as fishing barbless? I used to do that with Johnson Silver Minnows when I was a kid because the barb on them is so big. It made it easier to drive the hook in and remove it.

  Lou, here is a link with a Gamakatsu barbless treble.

http://redrockstore.com/Catalog/ind...1470 

 

Jim USArmy 1986-Present Life Member NAFC Member Western Fishers Member Full Moon Fishers A man is rich in proportion to the number of things he can afford to let alone. Henry David Thoreau

Barbless hooks, here we go again. The DNR with another regulation that makes no sense. I fished the catch and release season last year with barless hooks, did not lose to many. but I did have trouble keeping soft plastics on the hook, kept sliding off. I agree, why barbless in the early season and not the rest of the year. Is there some magical event that occurs after the opener that makes these fish stronger..........come on folks, enuf regulation changes already....we need more opportunity and less regulation...........
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