Actually.... the stock assessment that was completed last year by LWF stated the opposite.

Louisiana speckled trout in good shape

With the internet these days, everyone has the ability to voice their concern or displeasure over everything, including their inability to catch speckled trout. Last year was a tough year. The severe winter put a hurt on the traditional "summertime" speckled trout fishing. This caused a huge social media freakout - centered around lowering the trout limits because of BP Oil. Fortunately, our state fisheries biologists use scientific data to establish our size and creel limits. This data shows no issue with the trout population - therefore there is no need to change the limits. I fully believe that you'll see an excellent trout season this year because of the relatively mild winter and lack of pressure from last year.

This post was edited on 4/14/15 at 1:17 pm

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Posted by ihometiger

Member since Dec 2013

12475 posts

Posted on 4/14/15 at 1:17 pm to lsufishnhunt

quote:
Actually.... the stock assessment that was completed last year by LWF stated the opposite.

"most of the data through 2013" How about some new data from the LaWLF that isn't based on research from 2 years ago (of which included a fishing ban in 2010 and limited recreational fishing in 2011).

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Posted by bluemoons

the marsh

Member since Oct 2012

5523 posts

Posted on 4/14/15 at 4:47 pm to lsufishnhunt

quote:
including their inability to catch speckled trout

I'm gonna hurt some feelings, but this is a major source of all this "lower limits" stuff. Contrary to the belief of many, trophy trout are somewhat difficult to catch, and extremely targetable. Just because (insert fisherman here) isn't going out and catching a limit doesn't mean the fishery is in trouble. Social media plays a HUGE role as well.

I don't really have a strong opinion one way or the other re: changing the limit, but the trout fishery in this state is healthy. Everyone I know in the scientific world agrees with that, and when I suggest otherwise, they quickly provide facts to shut me down. I've spent a lot of time reading and researching things those folks have told me, and it all seems to add up just fine.

It's pretty easy to see that not that many people have the know-how, desire, and/or luck to catch trophy trout. Take it from somebody that has devoted an absolutely unhealthy amount of time to studying patterns of big trout: the pattern is somewhat cyclical. There are periods of down years followed by periods of up years. Obviously things aren't as bountiful as they were prior to gill netting and the like (some older folks I know around Lake P talk of flipping 7lbers in the boat back in the day like it was nothing), but I've been fortunate enough to see some truly huge trout in my lifetime, and I'm pretty confident I'll see more.

eta: I also just saw someone suggested putting a limit on white trout. That's it. I'm out.

This post was edited on 4/14/15 at 4:53 pm

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Posted by gaetti15

Member since Apr 2013

13371 posts

Posted on 4/14/15 at 10:06 pm to lsufishnhunt

quote:
With the internet these days, everyone has the ability to voice their concern or displeasure over everything, including their inability to catch speckled trout. Last year was a tough year. The severe winter put a hurt on the traditional "summertime" speckled trout fishing. This caused a huge social media freakout - centered around lowering the trout limits because of BP Oil. Fortunately, our state fisheries biologists use scientific data to establish our size and creel limits. This data shows no issue with the trout population - therefore there is no need to change the limits. I fully believe that you'll see an excellent trout season this year because of the relatively mild winter and lack of pressure from last year.