Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

The Slot Will Be Tightened


spankster

Recommended Posts

It's a shame when the fishing is so good that we might see the first tight slot in years on mille lacs. I cut and pasted John Odle's prognosis from Rocky Reef Resort. The guy is in the know and has talked with the DNR recently.

This is what John wrote this week: Sit down first, on Friday I received a call from the Mn DNR out of Brainerd. We have caught almost 330,000 lbs out of our 365,000 lb safe harvestable limit. When we hit 365,000 lbs there will be an immediate slot restriction of 14 to 16 inches with one over 28 bag limit of 4. To say the least after the many years of dealing with a special regulation on this lake, I am not happy with their decision. Let us also not forget, that the MN DNR is bound by the federal government on the shared harvest of Lake Mille Lacs. It is all about pounds of fish harvested.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 72
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

  • harvey lee

    4

  • The Cranker

    4

  • CaptainMusky

    3

  • spankster

    3

I don't think it's a shame at all. Where is else in MN can you go and consistently put quality walleyes in the boat at that kind of pace. I am not a release fanatic, love eating fish but the slot is the slot, and the fishing is great! There is nothing we can do with the treaties so we have to accept them. Would you rather catch one 18" and keep it, or bang 22-28" all day and throw them back? I am looking for action myself

Link to comment
Share on other sites

fishing is no better than last year. probably worse because of the number of boats out there. Just need lots of wind to keep more people away. Also more people owning bigger nicer boats allows them more people to fish more efficiently more often.

good luck

Link to comment
Share on other sites

how long would this last??? would it go through the end of the season?? or maybe just until ice up?? new to the lake so I'm not sure how it works, but having a house up there now, I have a vested interest!!! not that it will affect my fishing, but good to know!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The slot may be tightened but nothing is for sure yet, the DNR needs all the numbers from june to make any decsion and a meeting for resort owners is set for the 11 of july. Even if the slot is tightened the fishing will still be good and catching fish in numbers and being on the lake is what mille lacs is all about.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I think it's great to catch all those fish and also release them but when they are tightening our slots and it's difficult to even catch a couple to keep for a meal it's really frustrating. When we have to pay license fees and so forth to restock the lake and maintain the lake and certain people who are using the lake in other means don't give anything back to the lake it's very frustrating to keep positive about tightening the slot. It's also frustrating when we have to follow a strict slot and others don't on the lake!!!!

That's my take on this and I know some may disagree but it's not fair!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I all i can say to you about the slot tightening is that if you want a meal, you'll have to work harder or longer or go to another lake.

I have no problem with the DNR doing whats best for the lake, as long it is protecting the fishery and the resource.

I mean where else can you go to catch fish like this. You come to Mille Lacs to get experience and build your confidence and learn about how the fish move and transition and of course the fun of catching a hog.

If i wanted a meal of 15" fish, i'd go to one of the local lakes, less gas money involved also less time.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Why is it all right for certain people to take fish by other means than fishing and keep any size but us who pay license fees must keep only certain sizes? If they could only keep fish in the slot we wouldn't be talking about this now because they wouldn't be up to the quota either. I understand the quotas and so forth but it would be nice to keep a few for a meal if your going to make the drive with gas as high as it is!!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

This would be for the best of the lake and for next year. The DNR has done a great job managing Mille Lacs, where else can you go and catch big walleyes all day. If this is true, maybe less people will be out there making the rest of the year easy to get around out there.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Quote:

Why is it all right for certain people to take fish by other means than fishing and keep any size but us who pay license fees must keep only certain sizes? If they could only keep fish in the slot we wouldn't be talking about this now because they wouldn't be up to the quota either. I understand the quotas and so forth but it would be nice to keep a few for a meal if your going to make the drive with gas as high as it is!!


Do you really want to get into that argument? Grow up a little if you don't like the slot on Mille Lacs, there are a couple of thousand other lakes without any treaty agreements. Wow you paid $18.00 for a license, well hell, i guess you deserve every little privilege that people displaced and stolen from many years ago are ENTITLED to. Just one more person who thinks that everybody and everything is against them. If you have to catch slots to feed your family and aren't able to because they tighten it, let me know i'll send ya a few bucks!

Link to comment
Share on other sites

remember one thing, we would not be having this discussion had the dnr not implemented the slot long ago. how many keepers did you catch when they first implemented the slot almost none. now quite a few slot fish lots of big fish some slots mixed in.

Thanks to the dnr for top quality management of this great lake. without them well it could have been a red lake situation shocked.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I hope they do the slot, and those who disagree can stay off the lake. Leaves more room for me.

As for those who are so convinced that the tribe is to blame, get a clue. The true culprits of over harvesting has and will always be anglers. So please quit using that stupid excuse.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

All of my friends and family members that have fished with me have caught their biggest walleye, smallie, pike, and muskie on Mille Lacs. Mille Lacs is a trophy lake, and World renowned at that. I'm all for the slot and MNDNR management philosophy because it's what has created such a good fishery.

Like others have said, many other lakes exist with excellent populations of walleye without any slot. I never been one to judge, but it seems that if you're concerned about feeding your family on a budget, the last thing you should be doing is driving to Mille Lacs with boat in tow gambling for a successful day on the water.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Then don't drive up to Mille Lacs if gas prices are to high for ya and you can't keep any fish. The only reason why there is going to be a tighter slot is because everyone and their mom has been fishing the pond since opener. Quit whining about how much the tribe can take as a quota and that they do not have to follow a slot. Be thankful that we get to fish the WHOLE lake, unlike Upper Red where we only get a 1/3 to fish. Could you imagine fishing only a 1/3 of Mille Lacs? Just be thankful that you get go and catch fish like this on the pond because it could be a dead sea if it wasn't for the slot. AND if tightening the slot and not being able to catch fish to keep (since its not "fair" cuz the tribe does not have a slot, ever heard the saying from your parents that "life's not fair" so deal with it!) then start keeping fish in the slot if you don't think its fair. Just don't get caught, cuz the fines are pretty steep and basically not worth keeping a walter in the slot. Sorry for my rant but I really get burned when people whine about insignificant things and don't get the whole picture. If gas is to high, stay home! Fish your own local lakes then, my gosh I thought that was common sense.

B420 and Mud_man I know of lakes that can and do produce like Mille Lacs and can be even better than Mille Lacs. Not saying Mille Lacs isn't a trophy lake or a great fishery because it is but I've fished Mille Lacs and other lakes in Minnesota that will and can put out big fish consistantly more than the pond. So Mille Lacs isn't the only lake that is like this, its just that its so close to the cities now, marketed so much, and popluarized that its no wonder everyone has been fishing it and the harvest quota for this season is where its at right now.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I heard that there was a miscalculation, and the number is more like 290,000. Also the bite was very spotty over the weekend where some people had little to nothing and others still did well. I myself only had a few hours Sat. morning with only one line in the water and struggled to get anything going. With that said they will get all the numbers calculated by 7/1 and make a decision on the slot, but more than likely it will remain the same without the 22" slot happening. The anouncement will be made on 7/1 and anglers will have five days to comply(if the slot changes).

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Made my first ever trip to the pond this weekend. We only got 4 fish an none were in the slot but it was awesome to see some of those big fish. I have lakes close to home I can go and get a few keepers. I loved being on that lake and catching the size fish it kicks out. I'll still go up a few times a year for the fun of fishing. If it protects the lake and the fishery do the slot, no worries from me.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

this might be a stupid question, but how do they calculate the number of fish or pounds harvested?

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Using the exact science of creel surveys at the boat landings. They plugs these numbers into an ever-changing formula and then they have a number. TA DA! Basically it's a somewhat educated guess.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I have seen MANY opinions on the possibility of a tightened slot. Each one of these opinions has come from someone "in the know" but it is amazing how several of them are 180 degrees apart. It is the usual rumor mill.

These quotes range from guys who say they have talked to a friend who knows a friend who met the local warden, to others that use the exact name of the DNR official they talked to.

Let's just wait and see.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I will give the DNR much credit. They have turned this lake into a major fish factory with many trophy fish. I cannot complain about the work the DNR has done in the last years.

I dont mind going to Upper Red or Mille Lac with the tight slot limits. If I want to eat fish there are many lakes I can go to. When I choose to go to these two lakes, its all about catching a trophy or many nicer fish.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

The decision will be made between July 1-6 and posted on the DNR website. There was a miscalculation on the previous sub-totals. I would guess we are more around the 270,000-285,000 mark not the 330,000 - 360,000 mark. Just have to wait and see. I just want to thank the DNR for a great fishery.

Made my 1st trip ever last weekend up there. I was amazed that the size of the fish. What a great problem to have, "I'm catching fish that are too big to keep."

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Fishing Maverick ,Wow you paid $18.00 for a license, well hell, i guess you deserve every little privilege that people displaced and stolen from many years ago are ENTITLED to.

Get a grip buddy who did "they" steal the land from? quit making excuses for spearing fish and throwing half of them in the garbage, just to spite people. Everyones been displaced and stolen from.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I like slot limits. I think that a 14-16" window is just fine. Go up the road to Pelican, Gull, LOW, Red, Minnetonka or Cub Foods....where ever you want to go to keep eaters. It is nice to have a place in MN that you can go have a 70 fish day and have a really good chance at a COUPLE trophies.

You can complain about the Netting, speared, angler quota, 28"+ fish taken out of this lake, but I will tell you what, Mille Lacs didn't get as good as it is because the DNR is clueless. Educated guess or not on the quota, the DNR knows what they are doing and I would rather them be conservative, then let all of us over fish the lake and make it hard to catch a limit of fish. It is a very protected resource and I support them 100%. I would be ok if they just said it was a Catch and Release only lake. I go for the fishing, not the meal.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I agree with the DNR management 100%, the only people that it kind of stinks for are those families that planned vacations before the restrictions up there and want show the kids the experience of catching/cleaning/frying. Not everyone gets to go as much as most the people on this site and maybe that once/twice a year they want to keep some fish to eat and planned a vacatoin on the best walleye lake in the state to up their chances. Me, I just like catching them, but i go every weekend.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Chill out people, it is highly unlikely the slot will be reduced back down to the 14-16. Like Big Wade mentioned, there was a miscalculation in there original creel estimations and yes, the fishing has slowed down over the last week just like it does every year around this time when the H20 temps go up. It is funny how people like to take some rumor and run with it and cause widespread panic on these threads. Most people who know and understand the lake realize that most, not all, of the patterns on Mille Lacs this year (i.e. floating fish in mid summer) are normal occurrences on the lake. Tourism is king on Mille Lacs and it is highly unlikely the DNR will want to switch back to the restricted 14-16 slot of years past.

One other thing, I am now always in agreement with the tribe’s actions in the past but do you really think the tribe wants to net out and decimate the walleye population on the lake. Their main source of income is the casino which is linked to tourism which is linked to thousands of people coming up to fish and play/stay at the casino. Just food for thought...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I personally don't mind the slot in fact a 4 fish limit and 19-28 protected slot state wide would be nice. Just let me fish 2 lines. cool.gif The DNR has done a nice job on the big lake and they are doing what they have to do. Thanks to the Feds.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess I want to clarify that my previous posts regarding the creel surveys shouldn't reflect that I disagree with the slot limits and how the DNR manages the lake. For my purposes fishing is better than it ever has been so I am competely satisfied in that regard. How the DNR comes up with some of the numbers however cracks me up because they are based on fishermans verbal statements at boat landings and we all know fisherman never lie. grin.gif

ok back to work....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

What ever happens, I will be going back. I probably fish the lake 2-3 times a year. Nowhere in MN can you catch that many big fish time after time. You just need to go there with the mindset that a fish fry is a bonus.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Instead of tightening the slot, why don't they just lower the limit till Fall? Maybe make it a 2 fish daily limit?

Good fishing,

Corey Bechtold

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.



  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • mulefarm
      With the early ice out, how is the curlyleaf pondweed doing?
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   The big basin, otherwise known as Big Traverse Bay, is ice free.  Zippel Bay and Four Mile Bay are ice free as well.  Everything is shaping up nicely for the MN Fishing Opener on May 11th. With the walleye / sauger season currently closed, most anglers are targeting sturgeon and pike.  Some sturgeon anglers are fishing at the mouth of the Rainy River, but most sturgeon are targeted in Four Mile Bay or the Rainy River.  Hence, pike are the targeted species on the south shore and various bays currently.   Pike fishing this time of year is a unique opportunity, as LOW is border water with Canada, the pike season is open year round. The limit is 3 pike per day with one being able to be more than 40 inches. All fish 30 - 40 inches must be released. Back bays hold pike as they go through the various stages of the spawn.  Deadbait under a bobber, spinners, spoons and shallow diving crankbaits are all viable options.   Four Mile Bay, Bostic Bay and Zippel Bay are all small water and boats of various sizes work well. On the Rainy River...  Great news this week as we learned sturgeon will not be placed on the endangered species list by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.     The organization had to make a decision by June 30 and listing sturgeon could have ended sturgeon fishing.  Thankfully, after looking at the many success stories across the nation, including LOW and the Rainy River, sturgeon fishing and successful sturgeon management continues.   A good week sturgeon fishing on the Rainy River.  Speaking to some sturgeon aficionados, fishing will actually get even better as water temps rise.     Four Mile Bay at the mouth of the Rainy River near the Wheeler's Point Boat Ramp is still producing good numbers of fish, as are various holes along the 42 miles of navigable Rainy River from the mouth to Birchdale.   The sturgeon season continues through May 15th and resumes again July 1st.   Oct 1 - April 23, Catch and Release April 24 - May 7, Harvest Season May 8 - May 15, Catch and Release May 16 - June 30, Sturgeon Fishing Closed July 1 - Sep 30, Harvest Season If you fish during the sturgeon harvest season and you want to keep a sturgeon, you must purchase a sturgeon tag for $5 prior to fishing.    One sturgeon per calendar year (45 - 50" inclusive, or over 75"). Most sturgeon anglers are either a glob of crawlers or a combo of crawlers and frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig, which is an 18" leader with a 4/0 circle hook combined with a no roll sinker.  Local bait shops have all of the gear and bait. Up at the NW Angle...  A few spots with rotten ice, but as a rule, most of the Angle is showing off open water.  In these parts, most are looking ahead to the MN Fishing Opener.  Based on late ice fishing success, it should be a good one.  
    • leech~~
      Nice fish. I moved to the Sartell area last summer and just thought it was windy like this everyday up here? 🤭
    • Rick G
      Crazy windy again today.... This is has been the norm this spring. Between the wind and the cold fronts, fishing has been more challenging for me than most years.  Panfish have been moving in and out of the shallows quite a bit. One day they are up in the slop, the next they are out relating to cabbage or the newly sprouting lilly pads.  Today eye guy and I found them in 4-5 ft of water, hanging close to any tree branches that happened to be laying in the water.  Bigger fish were liking a 1/32 head and a Bobby Garland baby shad.   Highlight of the day way this healthy 15incher
    • monstermoose78
    • monstermoose78
      As I typed that here came a hen.  IMG_7032.mov   IMG_7032.mov
    • monstermoose78
      So far this morning nothing but non turkeys. 
    • monstermoose78
      Well yesterday I got a little excited and let a turkey get to close and I hit the blind!!
    • smurfy
      good......you?? living the dream..in my basement playing internet thug right now!!!!!! 🤣 working on getting the boat ready.......bought a new cheatmaster locator for the boat so working on that.   waiting for warmer weather to start my garden!!!
    • monstermoose78
      How is everyone doing? Holy moly it’s chilly this morning I stayed in bed and will hunt later today when it warms up.
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.