I live on a lake with a good fish poulation it's an older lake with the age about 35years. The lake used to be a straight bass/ blue gill /cats/ Giant red ears. But people who know better...yea right. Have added pike /walleye/wipers 3-4/small mouth and Crappie/pearch. Why they mess with someting thats not broke I do not know. The size of the pond is around 23 to 27 arces. There is about 13 to 15 people living on the lake. They have set a limit of gills.Most everbody is older so I am about the only one who REALLY fishes.Most of the folks are older and non fisherman. They watch the lake like it's there job.I know the crappie could be a problem so I have always kept any that I've caught. Now the average keeper size is around 13-14". The bass seem small and numberous all around the same size. I dare not keep them for fear of the neighbors wrath.With some larger ones. I have caught 16 walleye 22-24" long this year and some pike weighing 7lbs to 10.My problem is this THEY CRY"I dont see them like I use to" But I do! I tell them you cant catch them from your living room. You need to get in your boat to see them. Anyway the last night I was fishing near my neighbors place and he went nuts yelling I was gonna over fish the lake I caught 80 gills last week four of us. and 50 red ears last night {huge}three of us. I missed the early spawn. Lots of the beds are empty. I see beds on every shore line. He also stated that I should let the gills spawn. I feel he is ingorant and not the type of man to talk to. Yells. What book can you recomned that would tell you it's ok to harverst fish. The lake should be fished and the fish harvested correct? I just want to add I have been fishing this lake since the mid 80's except for a four year stint in the Army. Please help. I dont think I should be made to feel guilty about catching fish when I can. I dont alway find or catch them. I have NEVER caught this kind of fish throught the ice. NEVER . I can't find them in the winter . I live in northern Indiana. Thanks for reading my rant. Please help/respond.I do not fish everyday once or twice a week .So yes I like to eat fish I am sorry.I also like to have some for the winter as well {freezer}.
Andy

Hunt fish and shoot.