By chance do you have a link or other info to this fish mortality study? I've seen old ones that were conducted during the summer but nothing recent.

BASS and FLW always claimed "live fish" if they saw a gill twitch or tail wiggle. Tournament directors from those top leagues down to weeknight fruitjar events did the same. Banging around in the summertime heat and hot water kills a ton of them. Head to any popular ramp this summer hours or a day after a tournament if that's where the fish are released. If someone's not there scooping them with a net, chances are good you'll see some floaters.

A bazillion fish have died over the years and two bazillion replace them. BASS holding this event in March definitely helps. I'm not a fan of the long travel, but that is not new at all for them or FLW. Has been going on for decades with each organization.

As for abusing the resource, here's the number for DCNR Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries - 334-242-3465. I'm sure someone in Fisheries Section would talk with you about it.