I think we need to stipulate there is a difference between fishing out a lake and effecting the numbers. I don't believe you can completely fish out a lake or even a pond, but you sure can effect the numbers of quality fish. I've done and seen creel surveys. It's amazing how many fish anglers can harvest over a season.
Taxid- it sounds like your talking about us up here in the NE no one else I fish with go for panfish, and they don’t regulate any of them. I’ve yet to hit a true 10” bluegill or pumpkinseed but got a couple 9.5”. Inch per inch They fighter harder than the little stocked trout for sure. Pumpkinseeds and brookies are my two favorite fish for their beauty. oh and gills and crappie are an invasive here but people do enjoy crappies, take all you want type thing. As far as the topic goes, it’s been seen time and time again how over fishing or improper harvesting can be detrimental to a pond/lake. Both numbers and average size suffer if selective harvest isn’t practiced. Almost saying they should have a slot for what one would consider keeper size. Depending on species and conditions, harvesting from the medium/average year class usually promotes a healthier fishery.
I could remember that there were very few fishermen who even fished for fresh water fish. Living on the coast most people either fished for trout of saltwater species. I sure miss New England states. One of these days, I will go back I hope...
oh no! leaf peepers!
Well if the wife wasn't along I'd be fishing.
just messing with ya. I had a friend that lived out that way and always talked about the fall migration of leaf peepers.