Great article RK

[LaVoi]

I was so glad to read your article in the Outdoor News in early February about special pike regs. I fish the lake that you were referring to in the article quite often (at least I am assuming it is the same lake) and the northern fishing is nothing short of phenomenal. We truly can grow trophy nothern pike in this state if we wanted to. But I just wanted to say thanks, cause I am sure we are in the minority in this state that would like to see more trophy northern pike fisheries established. -LaVoi

[fishin58]

What were the regs on the lake?? And I would support any regs statewide. The days of the old men bringin home monster stringers are dead and gone. We need to make drastic changes in what we keep as well as what size. I stayed at a resort last summer and the pike fishin was fair to good, but it made me sick that this older gentlemen would keep every northern over 5 pounds he could get his hands on.. How many does a guy really need? I would really like to say something but it wouldnt do any good. I noticed by the end of the summer all that would bite was hammer handles.. I truly believe something needs to be done. Whats everybodys take?

[RK]

Hi LaVoi -

Thanks for the kind words... Seems like every time I write about special pike regs I get beat about the head and shoulders from either the spearers (not all of them mind you...) or the walleyes are all that matter gang. It gets old...and then I have a meltdown like I had in ODN So it's nice to hear not EVERYONE thinks I'm a heretic...

I really don't think people realize what some of our lakes are capable of in terms of pike fisheries if we'd just protect them a little... Yeah, it has an effect on other species somewhat, but it is certainly not an either/or argument by any means. These ARE species that evolved together...

Cheers,

Rob Kimm

[LaVoi]

fishin58, the regs on the lake mentioned is a 24" and over protected slot. After spending a few years learning the lake it is not uncommon to land multiple 30"+ fish in just a few hours. Now that is fun!

RK, no problem, I figured you wouldn't mind hearing from someone who is on your side. And believe it or not I love to fish walleyes like every other Minnesotan. I also could not believe what I was hearing about the whole Green Lake fiasco. I have fished that lake a few times and what a phenomenal smallmouth fishery that is! I really wanted to attend the public meeting held in regards to lifting the regs on the smallies but couldn't make it. I bet that got ugly. True or not, I don't know, but I have heard rumors of people giving a smallie caught on Green a whack over the head and then returning it back to the lake! I just get sick of it. Well I better quit writing cause now I am starting to get mad. LaVoi

[huntnfish]

I also agree with the special regs on Melissa and Sallie. I still catch the same number of walleye on Melissa and they seem to have better size and the chance at a monster northern is an added bonus. I am all for any restrictions that will improve the quality of fishing in the area. I, for one, would like to see more lakes with restrictions on size and numbers. There are too many people out there that can't show restraint on their own.

[DEADhead]

Quote:

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There are too many people out there that can't show restraint on their own.

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you're praising to the choir.

I also like to see some of these slot regs to manage size population structure in a given fish community. Like huntnfish already commented there are too many people aren't there that con't show any self control; having these regs in place still lets meat hunters harvest fish, as well as helps encourage the shift to the desired size structure.