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Dnr's future plan for walleye slot?


eyechoholic

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O.K. Del.  I'll bite. How can you say with any kind of certainty that netting is/was not part of the problem, particularly given Sternberg's analysis on the continued overharvest of a specific size fish, year after year after year. In the case of Mille Lacs, almost all the male fish were targeted. The MN DNR is on record as saying that Tribal fishing (gillnetting) is putting a strain on the male walleye population at a rate that is unsustainable. 

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I didn't see that statement by the DNR.  When was it?  Back when they thought piles of big walleye in the lake were great? 

The fact is that anglers take several times as many pounds of fish as do the natives.   If I harvest 100 pounds and you harvest 20, it takes a lot of Chutzpah for me to tell you that you are the problem with fish populations.  

The size structure of the harvested fish is probably suitable for negotiation, but I don't recall that issue in any of the recent reports or presentations.  

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The quote is from a paper by Mathew Steffes, Hamline U. School of Law.  "Implications for the Mille Lacs Lake Fishery With Continued Enforcement of the 1837 Treaty Of St Peters". Good Reading.

In 1997, there were fewer than 500 gillnets placed in the lake, by 2011 there were 3,250. All targeting basically the same size fish.

When the Tribes declare harvest on Lake Vermillion, imagine 3,250 gillnets in Pike bay, or 150 boats with hook and line angler's, which would you prefer. ?? Which do you think will have the most deleterious effect on the fishery ??

I do not begrudge the tribes their fish, I just wish they would put in a million or so angling hours catching them, like the rest of the hook and line anglers in the state. That would show some Chutzpah.....

 

 

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Sure you begrudge them their fish. It shows in every post.

It seems to me that the bands negotiate in good faith and make an honest attempt to monitor their harvest.  And they get to take their fish anyway they choose to. 

If the mesh size or angling slot are detrimental to the fish population, they should be changed.  

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Sorry, and with all due respect, but you're wrong, I begrudge the Natives nothing. You begrudge them their casino's, you've whined about that.

 If they changed the mesh size, it's doubtful they would get their quota, and at the end of the day, that's all they've cared about. Conservation be dammed.     

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  • 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders
26 minutes ago, Sculpin said:

Sorry, and with all due respect, but you're wrong, I begrudge the Natives nothing. You begrudge them their casino's, you've whined about that.

 If they changed the mesh size, it's doubtful they would get their quota, and at the end of the day, that's all they've cared about. Conservation be dammed.     

Dude save your breath. It doesn't matter to Del that Mille Lacs has only had a low fish issue in the last 15 or so years and not the 60 before it started being netted.  Or any lake that nets have hit for that matter that has had the same exact problems. Where are his examples of other "None netted" lakes that have collapsed. He just misses his high school debate club days! ;)

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He does like to bait, and not in a fishing sense.  I had hoped he would take my bait on the Vermillion analogy, but he's obviously confident it will never be an issue anywhere but Mille Lacs. I asked a pretty graphic, and straightforward question, and he simply ignored it. Interesting.  

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5 hours ago, Sculpin said:

Sorry, and with all due respect, but you're wrong, I begrudge the Natives nothing. You begrudge them their casino's, you've whined about that.

 If they changed the mesh size, it's doubtful they would get their quota, and at the end of the day, that's all they've cared about. Conservation be dammed.     

The only thing I object to about the casinos is the perpetual compact and lack of revenue sharing with the state.  In New Mexico for example the state gets around 15 million dollars per quarter in sharing from the Casinos.   

As for the walleye in Mille Lacs, you guys are convinced that it is the fault of the netting, while I say it is unforseen results of the DNR management of the angling harvest by use of slots.    The angling harvest is typically 3 or more times as high as the native harvest.  The native harvest is also more closely monitored.

I am sceptical of the accuracy of the DNR's ability to accurately monitor the harvest by anglers.  All those boats and fish houses, and some guys with a clipboard standing at the boat landing.    Has the DNR done any verification of their surveys? 

But hey, go on with your crusade.  It won't contribute a lick to fixing the problem, but it will make you feel superior to the "evil netters destroying the lake" when you go to the PERM meetings.

And if you have some data that contradicts the blue ribbon panel, let's see it.

You might read the report of the blue ribbon panel...

https://www.d.umn.edu/biology/documents/Ahrenstorff2_000.pdf

Or Dennis Anderson's article about it...

http://www.startribune.com/why-mille-lacs-fishery-faltered-and-what-we-can-do/318376841/

quote:

In fact, a review of Sternberg’s study underscores that he pointed out what DNR fisheries managers have discussed more forthrightly only recently: that cannibalism of young walleyes by older and/or bigger fish, including older walleyes, might be the biggest Mille Lacs problem.

What’s more, the DNR’s continuation of tight harvest sportfishing slot limits in the years since likely has contributed to, if not solely resulted in, the lake’s present-day imbalanced (measured by age and size) walleye fishery.

Consider the following, which Sternberg published in 2003:

“All [Mille Lacs] walleye year-classes since the year 2000 have been well above average, with the strongest year class coming in 2001. But in the case of both the 2000 and 2001 year classes, the numbers were seriously depleted by the time the fish reached a year of age, most likely as a result of predation by the increasing population of large walleyes.

“In fact, the exceptionally strong 2001 year class went from 225 percent above average to 98 percent below average within one year. … As the situation now stands, future walleye fishing in Mille Lacs depends greatly on the 2002 year class and possibly the 2003, assuming it does not meet the same fate as the 2000 and 2001 year classes.

 

“Conclusion: As long as the Mille Lacs walleye population remains heavily skewed toward the larger size classes, the threat of heavy cannibalism of young-of-the-year walleyes will persist.’’

Now consider this, from an interview I did with DNR fisheries chief Don Pereira in 2014.

Question: What’s the status of Mille Lacs walleyes?

Pereira: We have an abundance of spawning females. But there’s an elevated mortality of young walleyes, and we’re not sure why. Walleyes are in the lake in good numbers after the spawn, but they’re not surviving in sufficient numbers as yearlings and 2-year-olds. … Our leading hypothesis is that they are probably dying from elevated predation.’’

A few points:

 

• Co-management by the state and eight Chippewa bands of the lake’s walleyes that began in 1998 and continues today has complicated that task beyond measure irrespective of whatever effect, if any, the bands’ netting has on the lake’s walleyes.

• In part this is because dividing the “safe allowable harvest’’ of Mille Lacs walleyes between the two parties requires, first, an accurate estimate of the lake’s walleye population and size distribution. Some observers question to what degree this is possible. To the extent that it isn’t, if it isn’t, harvest distribution and size and other management decisions flowing from it will be similarly inaccurate.

• Even if fisheries managers have accurately assessed walleye numbers and size distribution, the DNR and the bands nevertheless have continued to ignore the lake’s growing predator/large fish problem or have mistakenly believed until recently that its effect on the lake’s smaller walleyes is inconsequential. How else to explain the DNR’s continuation of slot limits that encourage the harvest of the lake’s smaller, rather than larger, walleyes?

• To reduce the number of big Mille Lacs walleyes, the DNR and the bands in the near future likely will have to agree to exceed the lake’s safe allowable walleye harvest — a difficult but perhaps necessary decision to rebalance the lake.

What to do? Start here: The governor and key legislators should tell the DNR that its Mille Lacs fisheries management meetings with the Chippewa no longer can be held in secret.

 

Rather, to ensure from this point on that the public knows firsthand the nature, context and agreed-upon definitions of data being used to make management decisions, these get-togethers should be open to the public.

And should have been long ago.

 

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7 hours ago, delcecchi said:

In fact, a review of Sternberg’s study underscores that he pointed out what DNR fisheries managers have discussed more forthrightly only recently: that cannibalism of young walleyes by older and/or bigger fish, including older walleyes, "might be" the biggest Mille Lacs problem.

“Conclusion: As long as the Mille Lacs walleye population remains heavily skewed toward the larger size classes, the threat of heavy cannibalism of young-of-the-year walleyes will persist.’’

 

 

Love it! Facts & Conclusions with a "Might-Be" thrown in. :lol:

Still where are the examples of other big lakes that have collapsed that have never been Netted. Or maybe these Walleyes just don't partake in Cannibalism? ;)

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Facts:

There's a good 2013 class of fish. 

There was no netting in 2013.

Netting kills all fish so there is no release of live fish.

Red Lake was destoyed by netting.

The DNR hardly ever mentions netting during spawn.

There's a number of utube videos of totes of walleyes being hauled out with no one there checking or counting.

Mille Lacs had good numbers of fish before the massive amount of nets hit the lake.

It would be cheaper for the state to buy walleye for the Tribes than to do studies, talks, restocking, and surveying.

The lake also has other bands netting than just the Mille Lacs band.

Small mouth eat more than just cray fish.

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How would netting have  affected the 2013 year class?  or other year classes not surviving the first year or so.  They are too small to be caught by nets but still vanish.  

Netting pretty much coincided with the adoption of the slots which created a large pool of big walleye, perfect for cannibalism.   Before the slots, those walleyes went on a stringer.  

If the netting is "massive" then angling must be colossal and Huge since it harvests several times more fish. 

The actual diet of pike and bass have been studied.  Bass were an early hypothesis that was proven false. 

The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission monitors all the bands and the quota negotiated covers all the bands. 

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2 hours ago, delcecchi said:

How would netting have  affected the 2013 year class?  or other year classes not surviving the first year or so.  They are too small to be caught by nets but still vanish.  

The actual diet of pike and bass have been studied.  Bass were an early hypothesis that was proven false. 

The Great Lakes Fisheries Commission monitors all the bands and the quota negotiated covers all the bands. 

There was NO netting in 2013. There for fish were able to spawn, creating a 2013 class of fish!

Bass may not be eating walleye, but competing for to same food as walleye. Note the studies say they have found no walleye in bass, but never mention eating the same thing as walleye. All they say is they eat crayfish.

How is something monitored when its left the lake and down the highway???

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I've seen trucks of netted walleye on the north end and there where no buddy there to count them.

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I'm trying to piece together the crazy quilt that is Del the conservationist. On the one hand I see you say "Yeah, I feel the same way about guys who spear pike" and somewhere in an old post you decried "harpooning"  in the fashion of Jim Peterson, 1960's "Outdoor News" Dear old Jim would not like this deal today..He and his Buddy Bud Grant would be fairly apoplectic.

What's the beef with pike spearing ?? it's perfectly legal. Just as legal as the Natives dropping 325,000 feet of gillnets into spawning walleyes in the spring. 

How would you feel knowing that 250 Natives went into Vineland and WigWam bay, cut some big old spear holes, and "harpooned" 200 nice big fat 40" female pike. That's legal. Can't be harmful, the DNR says so. Our illustrious DNR is so confident it's fine they've left the season run on Mille Lacs until the end of this month. Got to be a good conservation move ??? 

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4 hours ago, Sculpin said:

I'm trying to piece together the crazy quilt that is Del the conservationist. On the one hand I see you say "Yeah, I feel the same way about guys who spear pike" and somewhere in an old post you decried "harpooning"  in the fashion of Jim Peterson, 1960's "Outdoor News" Dear old Jim would not like this deal today..He and his Buddy Bud Grant would be fairly apoplectic.

What's the beef with pike spearing ?? it's perfectly legal. Just as legal as the Natives dropping 325,000 feet of gillnets into spawning walleyes in the spring. 

How would you feel knowing that 250 Natives went into Vineland and WigWam bay, cut some big old spear holes, and "harpooned" 200 nice big fat 40" female pike. That's legal. Can't be harmful, the DNR says so. Our illustrious DNR is so confident it's fine they've left the season run on Mille Lacs until the end of this month. Got to be a good conservation move ??? 

Yep, I don't like spearing pike.  On Mille Lacs, it seems pike must die to convince the anglers that the DNR is doing something to save the walleye.  Now, how can you guys say that spearing pike is hunky dorie, but spearing or netting walleye is bad?

My opinion is that the method selected by the DNR to limit harvest was flawed and caused un-anticipated side affects.  And that is what resulted in poor survival of the hatch during the first couple years.

If there is actual data showing otherwise, I would like to see it.  Really.  I like to see actual data.

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I never said or implied spearing pike was "hunky dorie", don't put those words in my mouth. I just said it was legal. I was just taking your conservation temperature. So, just to be clear on your conservation ethics, in your way of thinking, spearing is bad, but gillnetting is O.K. ??  Gillnetting is "hunky dorie"  Or to take it to the next level, the spring spearing of thousands of egg laden walleyes in the middle of spawning is "hunky dorie" . Natives spearing pike and walleyes all along the shorelines all night long in April is O.K. but some guy starting down into nine sq. feet of frozen lake is bad ??  HUH ?

Data ??  sadly there is no conclusive data,  the DNR is still working on that. Get the spearing "data" up here  You can wipe out a pike population angling just as fast as you can spearing, maybe faster, and the "data" supports it.

Like it or not Del, at some point you need to come clean and get on the anti gillnetting bandwagon, you can't have it both ways.

You've come out in favor a couple times of partitioning the Mille Lacs band onto a small piece of the reservation, a silly kind of keep them "contained" strategy, in spite of the harvest rights they have legitimately earned.   

You're eager to put your hand in their pocket, get some of their hard earned money. That's a sovereign Nation on Mille Lacs Del,  they don't owe you a nickel. 

You quote chapter and verse about the "treaties" and "rights", but you seem to want to abrogate them to suit those aspects you think are somehow unfair, or inequitable. 

You just like to stir the proverbial pot in the hope that the whole mess will be contained to Mille Lacs, but at the end of the day you're kind of a closet anti treaty, and anti Indian rights guy.

Shame on you Del..  

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Actually, according to the court ruling on tribal gambling, the state did have a say.  Look it up.  Perpich blew it.

What treaty rights am I allegedly for abrogating?

I don't like spearing because it is unsportsmanlike in my opinion, and it harvests large pike disproportionally, in my belief.

How the bands choose to harvest their fish is something I have no input on.  But I don't think that netting a portion of the sustainable harvest is any worse than angling them, just like you and the spearers keep saying it isn't bad for the pike population, and it is their tradition.

Sure, I wish there was no netting or spearing of any game fish anywhere.  But netting is not the cause of the problem with walleye on Mille Lacs.  

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On the treaty rights, you whined (twice) that Bud Grant blew the apportionment proposal whereby the Mille Lacs band was to be restricted to a small portion of the lake around the western side.  You seemed all for it. The Indians won the right to harvest the whole lake, and all the lakes in the ceded territory, not just a portion prescribed by politico's. Their treaty guaranteed it. Except as you like to say, at the Pleasure of the President. 

Where the heck did I say spearing isn't bad for the pike population, there you go, putting words in my mouth again. I made an analogy in my last post. Kind of an apples to oranges thing, but an analogy. Sometimes you invent what you think you heard. 

On the method to decimate a pike population via hook and line, refer to Dennis Anderson:  "Could fishing on Minnesota's Dream Lake Become The Norm". Good Data. Either way, they're vulnerable fish, and they need to be managed, no question. But clearly, a couple guys with tip ups can wipe out a lake. 

And sorry to say, you can and do have the ability to "have input"  You seem willing to voice a pointed opinion on the downside of spearing, ( but you have no data), and you want to bring the Tribes under what you view is control, and exert pressure upon them, both economic, and territorial.  You're a smart guy who knows how to use all the media and data libraries at your disposal. Write the Governor, your representatives, the DNR, the Tribes, both WI. and MN. and put your knowledge to good use. This issue is only going to get worse, especially once the WI bands fan out to new water.

They're coming Del, and speculation is your "home" lake, Vermilion is the next stop.  325,000 feet of gillnets, right there in Pike Bay.        

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They were going to be paid to agree to restrict themselves.  That is different than "being restricted".  It was a negotiated agreement that was blown up in the legislature by Bud and the PERMites.  

The DNR and the Dark house association say spearing per se isn't bad for the pike population.  Isn't that why legislature and DNR opened  up Cass and eventually other lakes to spearing? The ban was justified in the first place to protect muskies, not pike.

Likewise, netting a portion of the sustainable harvest on other lakes would not destroy the population unless the method chosen to further restrict the angling harvest is poorly designed.

Mille Lacs collapsed due to very poor survival for the first few years of the fish that had hatched in good abundance.   

Stern berg predicted it, and the blue ribbon panel confirmed it was due to an over abundance of large walleye, caused by the slot which protected them.

 

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Well Del at the end of the day, its nice to know that the whole mess overall gets your blood boiling, just like the rest of us You'd like to sock that old Bud Grant, I won't even bring up the Super Bowls.. I respect your need for "data", and understand your gill net skepticism, but sometimes you have to go with your gut, just like that spearing deal, you just know, you've spent a few years, and considerable time in the field, and you know its a bad deal, in spite of there being no data to support your suspicions.  And we know that the DNR saying it's O.K. is pretty knuckleheaded. 

But the whole state of Florida can't be wrong, they banned the nets back in the middle 90's, too devestating to the fishery, too much "by catch", (ducks, birds, turtles, animals, dead release, etc.) to much targeting of species and sizes, it goes on, lots of "data" out there. So I'll go with my gut on that call. 

In looking through your recent posts I spot quite a few responses that are not supported by data. Such as "In my opinion, my opinion, in my belief, I don't think, I am skeptical, and the classic. It seems to me". So again, you're in good company on all these issues.

Thanks !!

 

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To return to the context of the topic, "DNR's future plan": There are some reports coming out around Mille Lacs, through various sources, that it may be an all catch and release fishery this open water season, with no live bait. They're not going to touch that year class.  

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Nets during spawning.

Slots that hammer the very same size fish as nets.

And management by Politics.

 

Any disagreement?

 

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7 hours ago, Bandersnatch said:

Nets during spawning.

Slots that hammer the very same size fish as nets.

And management by Politics.

 

Any disagreement?

 

You forgot smallmouth bass, muskies, northern pike, unicorns, and chupacabra's ;)

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The time of year that a walleye is harvested makes little difference.   

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I use qualifiers indicating uncertainty, as do the scientists in the blue ribbon panel, because in a situation like this that is very complicated with many factors involved, certainty is impossible.

For example, a whole bunch of eggs hatch into fry.  Over the next couple years, before they are catchable or netable, they dissappear.  What happened to them?  No one saw. 

So, folks, even experts, have to say "it is likely" or "we believe" or similar things.  

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Its magic Del.  I think if you don't already, you should go to work for the DNR. You've got those "qualifiers" down just like the blue ribbon guys, and if you have more "similar things" up your sleeve, you could reveal those to the DNR too, they're going to need them in about two more weeks. Don't just continue to waste your voluminous research talents goofing on the me and all the gomers on this board, get thee to a committee.  

The Fond Du Lac band has announced they will not be gill netting Mille Lacs this spring, but there will be spearing. Hopefully the WI. bands will follow suit. However, they will be netting other lakes in the ceded territory, all of them over 1,000 acres. 

Go to: http://www.fdlrez.com/Spring2016CededTerritorySpearingPlans

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What makes you think that you have the answer for sure 100% positive?  What data do you have that the rest don't have?  What did happen to all those fry that vanished before they were three? No they  didn't get speared or gill netted.

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6 hours ago, Sculpin said:

Its magic Del.  I think if you don't already, you should go to work for the DNR. You've got those "qualifiers" down just like the blue ribbon guys, and if you have more "similar things" up your sleeve, you could reveal those to the DNR too, they're going to need them in about two more weeks. Don't just continue to waste your voluminous research talents goofing on the me and all the gomers on this board, get thee to a committee.  

The Fond Du Lac band has announced they will not be gill netting Mille Lacs this spring, but there will be spearing. Hopefully the WI. bands will follow suit. However, they will be netting other lakes in the ceded territory, all of them over 1,000 acres. 

Go to: http://www.fdlrez.com/Spring2016CededTerritorySpearingPlans

Was getting a page error on the link you posted.

Here it is. I just don't understand why Del has not contacted them to let them know what fools they are since netting makes no change in the fish population?  What a waste of their time and money! :whistle:

 

Plans for Spring 2016 Ceded Territory Spearing

As Fond du Lac prepares for ice out fishing plans, Band members need to be aware of the many changes on the horizon. First of all, there will be NO netting again this spring in Mille Lacs Lake

. The Mille Lacs Lake walleye population is at an all time low. Safe harvest limits on Mille Lacs were set at extra conservative low levels, to help with future recovery efforts. Thus, with such low allocations, there will not be enough walleye available for netting.

Spearing will still be available. Permits will likely be 20 fish / spearer.The Resource Management Division (RMD) is working to provide opportunity for Band members who are still interested in harvesting fish this spring. There will be spearing & netting opportunities for walleyes and other fishes, in both 1837 and 1854 ceded territories. Once again for 2016, there will be a provision allowing for limited netting in some ceded territory lakes other than Mille Lacs. These lakes areall over 1000 acres. Additional details will be available closer to 1 April. Please continue to visit theFond du Lac website, where specifics will be made available as the details are worked out (www.fdlrez.com). FDLRMD had a difficult time distributing available permits in 2015.RMD will betrying out a new plan for distributing permits 2016.First thing in the morning, RMD staff will be sending out a mass email to all individuals that register for spearing ahead of time (register using the link on the FDL website above or click HERE for the link). This daily email will identify the lakes and number of permits

available for that night. Band members that want to be included in the daily drawing can either respond to the email

or call in to the RMD office by NLT 11:00AM Band members that do not have email may still phone in on a daily basis to find out which lakes are open, and if interested, may request to be in the daily drawings. RMD staff will have a daily drawing to distribute available permits to all of those that can participate. RMD staff will notify the winners daily by 1:00PM

If you don’t hear from staff by 1:00PM, you were not drawn for that night.

RMD will not be keeping a waiting list for the next evening’s activities

Winners can either pick up their permit at the RMD office during regular business hours, or at

the boat landing. Conservation Officers will have a list of all Band members that have been issued permits for the evening. Another wrinkle for this year :Per the Ceded Territory Conservation Code, Sect 105, Subd 19(B), gill nets used in lakes infested with either

zebra mussels or spiny waterflea will be marked by RMD staff. Marking likely will be colored

dyeor spray paint on the float line. Gill nets used in these infested waters

will never again be allowed to be used in uninfected lakes.

These nets may stillbe used in infected lakes, such as Mille Lacs and Vermilion.

Please stay informed at the FDL website, where details will be posted

.Thank you for your patience as we forge ahead for 2016

.

 

Edited by leech~~
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The impact of netting depends on the amount of fish harvested compared to the productive capacity of the lake.  The quantity of fish netted from Mille Lacs was not enough to deplete the fish in the lake. Anglers harvested several times as much each year.   

What happened to all the fry that hatched? They never made it to 3 years.

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31 minutes ago, delcecchi said:

The impact of netting depends on the amount of fish harvested compared to the productive capacity of the lake.  The quantity of fish netted from Mille Lacs was not enough to deplete the fish in the lake. Anglers harvested several times as much each year.   

What happened to all the fry that hatched? They never made it to 3 years.

How do you know that the fry hatched in the first place?

To my knowledge the DNR as not ever studied what affect having nets strung across the most popular spawning areas and boats running back and forth over them has.

For all anyone knows it is not the product, but the process.

 

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      Black Bay had great ice before but a few spots near rockpiles where there were spots of open water. It looks like the weight of the snow has created a little lake in the middle of the bay.  
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the south end...   Thanks to some cold spring weather, ice fishing continues strong for those still ice fishing.  The bite remains very good.  Most resorts have pulled their fish houses off for the year, however, some still have fish houses out and others are allowing ATV and side by sides.  Check social media or call ahead to your favorite resort for specifics. Reports this week for walleyes and saugers remain excellent.   A nice mix of jumbo perch, pike, eelpout, and an occasional crappie, tullibee or sturgeon being reported by anglers. Jigging one line and using a live minnow on the second line is the way to go.  Green, glow red, pink and gold were good colors this week.     Monster pike are on a tear!  Good number of pike, some reaching over 45 inches long, being caught using tip ups with live suckers or dead bait such as smelt and herring in 8 - 14' of water.   As always, work through a resort or outfitter for ice road conditions.  Safety first always. Fish houses are allowed on the ice through March 31st, the walleye / sauger season goes through April 14th and the pike season never ends. On the Rainy River...  The river is opened up along the Nelson Park boat ramp in Birchdale, the Frontier boat ramp and Vidas boat ramp.  This past week, much of the open water skimmed over with the single digit overnight temps.   Areas of the river have popped open again and with temps getting warmer, things are shaping up for the last stretch through the rest of the spring season, which continues through April 14th.   Very good numbers of walleyes are in the river.  Reports this week, even with fewer anglers, have been good.  When temps warm up and the sun shines, things will fire up again.   Jigs with brightly colored plastics or jigs with a frozen emerald shiner have been the desired bait on the river.  Don't overlook slow trolling crankbaits upstream as well.   Good reports of sturgeon being caught on the river as well.  Sturgeon put the feed bag on in the spring.  The bite has been very good.  Most are using a sturgeon rig with a circle hook loaded with crawlers or crawlers / frozen emerald shiners. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing is winding down up at the Angle.  Walleyes, saugers, and a number of various species in the mix again this week.  The bite is still very good with good numbers of fish.  The one two punch of jigging one line and deadsticking the second line is working well.   Check with Angle resorts on transport options from Young's Bay.  Call ahead for ice road guidelines.  
    • CigarGuy
      With the drifting, kind of hard to tell for sure, but I'm guessing about a foot and still lightly snowing. Cook end!
    • PSU
      How much snow did you get on Vermilion? 
    • Mike89
      lake here refroze too...  started opening again yesterday with the wet snow and wind...  very little ice left today...
    • Hookmaster
      A friend who has a cabin between Alex and Fergus said the lake he's on refroze. He texted me a pic from March 12th when it was open and one from 23rd when it wasn't. 🤯
    • SkunkedAgain
      I don't think that there has been any ice melt in the past few weeks on Vermilion. Things looked like a record and then Mother Nature swept in again.   I'll give my revised guess of April 21st
    • leech~~
      As I get older it's really not just about sending bullets down range.  Some of it's just the workmanship of the gun and the wow factor. The other two guns I have really wanted which I'll never have now because of their price, is a 8mm Jap Nambu and 9mm German Luger.   Just thought they always looked cool!  
    • jim curlee
      I had a guy hit me with a lightly used 1969 BAR, he wanted $1650 with an older Leupold scope. More than I think they are worth, I made an offer, he declined end of story.   You know if you look at the old brochures, a grade II BAR sold for $250 in the late 60s, $1650 would be a good return on your investment.    Why would anybody want a 50 year old gun, they are heavy, have wood stocks, and blued metal.  I guess mainly to keep their gun safes glued to the floor. lol   You can probably buy a stainless rifle that you never have to clean, with a synthetic stock you never have to refinish, is as light as a feather, and for half as much money, perfect.   I'm too old for a youth gun, although I've shrunk enough that it would probably fit. lol   No Ruger 10/44s.   Jim      
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