[Buffleheadbill]

I'll be honest I keep a lot of the fish I catch unless it's bass in open water.

 

[Buffleheadbill]

The ice junkies had a derby a few years back for yellow bass and had a whole big pile on the ice when it was over. My buddy and I took most home four five gallon buckets full. The next day hungover and freezing cold we cleaned every last fish and vacuum sealed 25 lbs of yellow bass. We ate every last piece. When I say I keep most of the fish I'm talking about the Mississippi River. When I fish the FP lakes around here they all go back unless we catch a lot which has been four times in the last four years.

 

[Buffleheadbill]

I release both seasons. Most younger anglers are starting to do the same. Who knows, maybe in another generation or two Illinois might actually have some decent walleye fisheries. Which brings me to my next point, people keep too many walleyes. Its almost like some guys are bred to keep walleyes. They could be bass fishing and if they accidentally catch a walleye they immediately kill it (eat it) . God dam savages, eat a bass or a pike. We as anglers need to stop this trend, not expect some sort of legislation to fix it. Wasn't long ago when you accidentally caught a musky you kept it and mounted it..

Bass through the ice are delicious. Place fillets on a pan rub with olive oil and sprinkle with McCormick Montreal chicken seasoning and bake until done. As for pike I like it better then walleye. Baked fried or pickled.

 

[Buffleheadbill]

Here's and article on why the big ones should always go back.

http://www.outdoorcanada.ca/Why-you-sho ... e-big-fish

 

[Buffleheadbill]

I've only ice fished a handful of times in my life and never caught a damn fish. Gave up on it several years ago... easier to stay inside where it's warm, and the bathroom is only a few feet away without having to peel off layers of clothing to get my pecker out to pee..

Only downside to ice fishing, trying to get two inches of dick out of four inches of carhartt!