You're absolutly right in that not everyone is complaining. But, I have heard myself from residents and attendance at CLA meetings that bass tournamnts are one of the big gripes. This came straight from the CLA newsletter.

No doubt traffic is an issue on Candlewood along with many other lakes. I live near Highland lake which is 444 surface acres. The lake is densley populated and most every home has at least one boat moored. The state launch can hold 44 rigs. On a nice Sunday afternoon the place is absolutly nutty. Yet I would not go anywhere near new or additional regulations to try and restrict recreation.

As has been mentioned here several times, we live in a high density population state where many people have disposable income to buy their toys. Yet, there are just a limited amount of resoources to play on. There will always be some level of user conflict. The water skiers dont like the pleasure craft wakes, the fishermen don't like the jet skies, and on and on.

One trend on Candlewood that has the CLA concerned now is the number of BIG boats on the lake. Those cruiser type boats in excess of 22 feet. The concern is twofold. Those boats have large displacement hulls and tend to be driven at "maximum plow" throwing monster wakes. This is a contributer to shoreline erosion. The second issue with these big boats are that most have a head on them. Where are they to discharge their waste?

Retaining your catch, and tournament mortality MAY have an impact on SOMEA waters but there are also many other issues of concern for sportsmen that should be looked at also. All those boats moored around your favorite lake, how do they refuel? Most are done on the water using five gallon cans. The amount of raw gas that gets dumped in each year accidently is probably pretty large. Hundreds or thousands of auto bilge pumps kicking on over the season releasing lord knows what from the nasty bilge areas. How about antiquated septic system dumping literally tons of nitrogen and phosphorous into the water each year?

Many, many issues that are best left to the scientist'. Good debate going though.