Look, if the DEP was worried about the pike population they would have already closed Bantam!
What percent of the spawning population are fisherman likely to affect by catching and releasing? It's got to be so small that it's not significant. The DEP must be aware of this.
I would be more concerned about environmental factors that could be regulated, like getting the gas outboards and waverunners off the lake. I would think they have a greater potential to affect all of the fish in Bantam lake.