View Full Version : How to measure 'eyes (Lake Erie sub-legal fish)
Toolman
02-16-2005, 07:07 AM
Here's some good info for anyone planning to fish Erie this coming year. As the poster points out, there will be an unbelievable number of eyes in the 14 " +/- range from the '03 hatch. Measure carefully and remember that fish shorten up a little if you ice them! Check out this info from The Ohio Sea Grant:
http://www.sg.ohio-state.edu/discus/messages/13/220.html?
Tim Joseph
NPAA # 740
I never realized that you measured by pushing the tail together like that.
I never realized that you measured by pushing the tail together like that.
bob oh
02-16-2005, 01:25 PM
They do in Ohio j.
rod bender bob
SUPERTROLLER
02-16-2005, 02:24 PM
Same rules apply in Michigan. Squeeze the tail for proper length.
One word of caution.... a fish that measures a solid 15-1/4" fresh caught, will not measure 15" after being on ice for a few hours. You can limber them up and they'll get part of their length back, but count on them loosing a solid 1/4".
If you have to measure it to determine if it's legal- then it's too small to keep on Lake Erie. :7 Don't beat up on the lil wheezers...
Steve B
02-16-2005, 05:49 PM
Kneecap to floor is a keeper. No ruler needed.
Toolman
02-16-2005, 06:02 PM
Jim,
Seinfeld calls that phenomenon "shrinkage" hee hee :-)
Tim
Gju42486
02-16-2005, 06:40 PM
i agree with jbl and steve,,if you need to measure a fish on erie, throw it back. although catching trophy walleye on lake erie is fun and exciting,,,i can gaurantee you that nothing will taste as good as those smaller 15-20 inch ones. ANYONE ELSE AGREE?
SUPERTROLLER
02-16-2005, 08:43 PM
Once it's been sizzling in the oil, can you really tell how big it was with fins attached? I think not! Eat it and enjoy.
I can tell a 8lb fish from a 1 lb fish one tastes good grilled the other tastes fishy! Then again I dont make my living killing every thing I catch!
gunrac
02-17-2005, 05:57 AM
There is only 2 sets of marks on my cooler lid, 17" and 30". They were there long before D.N.R. posted the 15" limit. Leave some fish for your grand kids!!
HAWG ON, SEA YA
bob oh
02-17-2005, 07:10 AM
Let me see if I've got this straight. Don't keep the big ones, don't keep the little ones. Hmmmmm, dummies at ODNR didn't get the message. They should check with the experts here LOL
rod bender bob
ezmarc
02-17-2005, 07:27 AM
"WHAT"
You're either not cooking them right or not cleaning them right.
BobOh, I thought you'd know better by now.
He knows better...he just can't stop himself. Huh... kinda of a guy thing ...I guess.
bob oh
02-17-2005, 10:02 AM
Yeah I do, but I am a weak person -- and now old LOL Old and weak is a bad combo. Forgive me, I am trying to quit :-) I agree, big fish, little fish they all taste great...
rod bender bob
What the heck, You know what they say..."be good at whatever you do". I've been know to be pretty dern good at being unable to stop myself, as well. LOL
Marble Eyes
02-17-2005, 02:07 PM
That's okay boys I shoot the big ole Gray faced Does too.
They make into some of the best Jerky going. Great for snacks when filling the live well with Erie Eyes. The Great Big ones. :)
It's all because I run into Marc. Really it is.
Toolman
02-17-2005, 02:15 PM
Marble Eyes-your stirrin' with a big spoon! ;-)
Tim
Hey Bob - don't keep the in-between ones either, their the best spawners! :)
Considering that occasionally you may catch a small fish that is not going to survive if released - this was a worthwhile topic since hopefully most of us can agree that those fish should be reduced to possesion if legal.
FYI for the non-tournament people that aren't already familiar with this: ODNR measures fish with the measurements on the measuring board under the fish. The fishes "nose" touches a stop at the zero mark (L shaped board). You may get a slightly different measurement if you use a tape measure on top of the fish.
Regards,
Silentsixty
clown
02-17-2005, 06:27 PM
>Kneecap to floor is a keeper. No ruler needed.
I take two midgets with me fishing, a lot of the time they sleep in the rod lockers. It appears that I am running extra rods when I am actually completely legal so stop yelling at me on the radio, ok?
If I apply the kneecap to floor rule for my midgets fish will we end up keeping illegal fish????