Anglers are now restricted to possession of only one catfish longer than 34 inches from Alabama waters following approval of a new regulation.

The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources' Wildlife and Freshwater Fisheries Division was approached several times in the last couple of years about setting a size limit on catfish in state waters. Concerns focused on the continued practice of "pay to fish" lakes from other states contracting for capture of the big fish that were hauled in tanker trucks to those lakes.

In essence, Alabama's resources were being raped and nothing was being done. Thousands of pounds of fish each year -- some of them the big 50-pounders and up -- were being taken away to another state so someone could pay to sit by a hand-dug pond and catch them. State officials were told repeatedly this was being done but nothing could be done to stop it because there was no regulation on possession number or a size limit.

Thankfully, now there is.

The new regulation is that only one catfish longer than 34 inches may be harvested and possessed each day by an angler.

Furthermore, no live blue catfish or flathead catfish longer than 34 inches may be transported out of Alabama without approval in writing from the Commissioner of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Catfishing is popular, fun, traditional and there's no limit on keeping fish 34 inches or smaller. If you want to catch 109 blues and keep them, so be it. Trotlines, jug fishing and limblines are wonderful ways to have fun and put some fish in the freezer for your family or a fish fry.

Despite the abundance, Conservation officials say catfish grow slowly and it takes several years for them to attain significant size. A research study on Wilson Lake by Auburn University in 2006 and '07 showed blue cats take about 13 years to grow to 34 inches. Flathead cats can take up to 20 years to reach that length.

This is a good move but only will be beneficial with enforcement.

Actually doing something about it will be critical. I hope state officials check anglers at boat docks where catfishing is known to be hot -- especially the Tennessee River lakes, with Wilson being a key fishery hammered by catfishermen -- and cite violators.

Making a regulation but doing nothing about it is moot. Put some teeth into it.

Kudos to the Southern Catfisherman Association, Conservation Advisory Board and DCNR for taking the first step.