Smallmouth Alliance chapter

[Rick]

UffdaPete...you are welcome to post them here. More folks will see it that way.

[uffdapete]

Notes from the organizational meeting for a SE MN Smallmouth Alliance chapter are available. If you're interested, e-mail me at: [email protected] and I'll forward them. The next meeting is scheduled for March 14 @ 7PM at Sandy Point.

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[uffdapete]

Thanks Rick,
I have taken the liberty to edit the meeting notes, as there are 3 full pages, but this should give any interested parties a feel for what the organization is about. Read on:

"On 2/10/01, a second meeting of concerned anglers was held at Sandy Point Supper Club to formally organize a smallmouth bass conservation group in Southeastern MN (1st mtng was held 12/19/01). Fourteen people from the SE MN area attended the meeting along with Tim Holschlag,(Conservation Director of TSA based in Mnpls), to discuss general formation of a group dedicated to protecting and improving our Southeastern MN smallmouth bass fisheries.

General Meeting Discussion Synopsis:

Written supplemental SMB conservation info. and TSA organization charter pamphlets & brochures were provided by Tim Holschlag which lead to an ensuing discussion between all attendees, wherein Tim provided lead commentary & information base concerning what an organization in SE MN could do through understanding of existing general conservation efforts and key elements required for improved angling and habitat management of SMB, including smallmouth bass behavior, population/size/growth rate information, general overview of angler attitudes & perceptions, potential political and fisheries management drivers, and some specifics of special angling regulations issues employed in the past via TSA/DNR efforts to improve angling opportunity and management of SMB within & outside MN. Within this scope of discussions were elements that bridged these issues to formation of a SE MN based conservation group grounded on TSA tenets to improve SMB angling in SE MN, and suggested work items that could be targeted in SE MN. Various suggestions ranged from current areas of activity concerning extension of C&R reaches on the Main Zumbro R. to conservation awareness campaigns, to special regulations and bag limit discussions on watersheds ranging from small streams to the Mississippi river, to habitat improvement discussions including dam removals & other efforts on local waterways. Specific strategies for short & long term focus work items will be determined in upcoming meetings.

News & Upcoming Events:

IMPORTANT !!!!

** Next SEMSA (SE MN Smallmouth Alliance) meeting: March 14, 7:30 PM at Sandy Point Supper Club

1) MN DNR Public Input Meeting: Reduction of Bag Limits on Bass
03/08/01, 7-9PM, Rochester Holiday Inn South (on S. Broadway)
- Input concerning reduction of daily bag from 6 to 4
- Also Stream Trout Limit Changes

2) Mazeppa Dam Removal on the N. Fork Zumbro R. - Should add at least another 10 mi. of potential upstream multispecies habitant
reclamation including SMB. Check it out if you get the chance..... the bridge removal above the dam started approx. 1 mo. ago, and progress is being made weekly."