Draining of Cedar

[MN Greenheads]

 Originally Posted By: Roughneck17SC

The reason the duck hunting was so "good" this year is because when you only have all the water concentrated into one area, guess where the ducks are going to be? As a result, guess where the hunters were? Yeah, kinda like shooting fish in a barrel.

The amount of ducks leading up to the last dropping and killing of the "carp" was the same or better than last fall. The problem was, the water was high enough that is created pockets all over the lake and the hunters didn't see "results" so the hunting wasn't considered very good.

I was out on the lake that fall (scouting deer hunting spots) when the water level was actually getting to where it should be and I was amased at all the ducks that flushed when I was out and about through some of the pockets.

And no, I have not been able to find hard eveidence on Cedar being dropped...

Don't make up lies Roughneck, the duck numbers on Swan and hunter success is higher when the water is lower period ..... if you have any doubt's call the area Wildlife manager. They can't count ducks easily in pocket water. Lower water levels always provide more ducks and better shooting.Last time the levels were low 1988-1992 the shooting was way better than the high levels of the late 90's. If you don't want duck lakes because you want a few fish to catch, say that, but don't make up stories that aren't true. I say drain it and slowly raise the levels.

[Big Buck Buster]

I think that a drain would also be good for the lake. It needs more weed growth on the shores for concealment and protection for the ducks and geese. I'm all for it.

[hartner62]

They are trying to pull this [PoorWordUsage] on Pelican lake near the St.Michael-Albertville area. Ducks are not stupid when there is a hunter every 50 yards they aren't going to stick around just because it is a supposed duck lake. It was stated earlier in this thread why not try it on smaller sloughs and see if it works there first. Don't start on a lake that could potentially hold state record fish

[Big Buck Buster]

On that point, I would have to agree with you. My son and I were fishing the lake this winter, and he caught a very large crappie that we are getting mounted. Maybe the dnr should wait till the lake has a large winter freeze-out (if it ever would happen) before they do anything.

[hartner62]

Pelican has historically had winter kills every 6 or so years and that in itself is why the fish are so big!

[swanlakebud]

The reason that hunter success was 'up' at opener in number of birds per hunter on Swan Lake was because there were less than half as many hunters on Swan as in a "normal year "because it was almost impossible to hunt . The total number of birds killed was down . Yes the numbers appeared to be up the first two weekends , but then the Teal moved on and the hunting was less than stellar after that . I feel qualified to make these statements cause I live on Swan Lake , and have hunted out there for over 51 seasons..........................

[Roughneck17SC]

Couldn't agree more swanlakebud

[swanlakebud]

Thanks , I'm sure we viewed some of the same sunrises on that great old Swamp.........

[robbo17]

I think the Dnr and Wildlife service should start experimenting with other methods. I am no biologist and don't plan to be one. But have done some research the last few weeks on Wildrice. Everywhere I look, companies that plant and harvest wildrice are always in competition with the ducks. They have come to accept that fact that they can do nothing about the ducks eating there wildrice. Why doesn't the DNR try planting some wildrice in these wildlife management ares. Does the carp have a affect on the wildrice?

Again I'm no biologist and no duck expert. Just going by stuff I have read the last few weeks.

I have no idea where, how or what is the best conditions to plant wildrice, just wondering if this could be a different option to spending $$ to drain lakes and kill off fish.

Robbo

[Hester]

Is there a dead horse here yet?

[Roughneck17SC]

Hester,

Can the DNR continue to take it upon themselves to "better" areas time after time after time after time..... with the same poor results?

Yep. Looks like we will continue to beat the dead horses then.

[rattlem'up]

wonder if there will be any decent fishing here this year? Had awsome luck opener last year! havn't been by there so not sure what the whole situation is. Anything been done to the lake at this point?

[Roughneck17SC]

Nothing has been done yet but I am trying to find the article from the Hutchinson paper that said that Cedar is going to be dropped. My brother-in-law showed me the article though didn't keep the paper.

[BigGrassBass]

My buddy was out there yesterday and said the water was about a foot and a half lower than usual. Has the draining started or is this just due to dry weather?

[Scott M]

Pretty dry out there, there is no draining going on to speak of. The lake is still loaded with nice crappies. Should be an early ice bonanza if people haven't figured out a fall bite by then.

[LMITOUT]

Lakes are down right now.

[pike doctor]

I talked to the DNR guy at the county fair. I asked him about draining Cedar. He said that it has been talked about, but it is not going to happen any time soon. He also said there are lots of nice crappies in there, but everybody knows about them, and that we need some rain otherwise they just might die from a winterkill.

[eyepatrol]

Is Cedar a popular hunting destination as well? From the road, it looks like a good place to hunt waterfowl.

[BigGrassBass]

Yes it is. There are a lot of islands and bays to hide in and get those things that go "quack".

[CaptainMusky]

Is Cedar a popular hunting destination as well? From the road, it looks like a good place to hunt waterfowl.

That is the main reason they were considering draining cedar. To drain the lake so the desirable aquatic vegetation would grow and attract the ducks again. The lake used to be phenomenal, but has dropped off considerably (as has much of MN) in recent years.