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There are so many factors that I think it would be almost impossible to figure out. You'd really need to know the egg production for bass in each size range; the probablility of that fish surviving and reproducing for one, two, three, etc. more years; the release mortality for fish in each size range (I would assume that it is greater for larger fish but I have no way to know). When it comes down to it, keeping any fish has an adverse effect on the population. Catch and release even has an adverse effect on the population. However, if it wasn't for recreation fisherman stripers and many other species may have already been wiped out so recreational fishing is both good and bad for the target species. I don't think that anybody needs to feel guilty about taking a fish here and there, reguardless of size, because most of the factors that I've listed above probably balance out as long as there is no waste. I don't agree with encouraging people to keep more than they may need, however, and that's where the OTW Cup went astray IMO. Its difficult, if not impossible, to have a conservation minded tournament for a fish that cannot be kept in a livewell for later release.
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