The Slot Will Be Tightened

[vaneeck]

You can always hope for a few of the nice perch the lake has been coughing up this year, they make a dandy fish fry!

[spankster]

What's great about this forum is the sincerity, enthusiasm and involvement. My original post on this topic came about because I have always trusted John Odle from Rocky Reef. He had said he heard from reliable sources that the slot would be reduced. Six pages of posts later, despite some name calling, debates about the tribe, netting, and many other side topics that had nothing to do with this issue, I sit less than 24 hours away from a slot that will be 14-16. I agree with the slot. I want the lake managed. And I trust and thank John Odle for sticking his neck out once in a while on his web site to say what he thinks and what he has heard. I also appreciate guys like the cranker, harvey lee and the many other honest fisherman on this lake who share tips and are out for the common good of folks who fish this great lake. Yes, Monday will be a tough day at my office (I'm Army Retired), but this keeps things in balance for the many great future years i can spend here. Thanks Fishing Minnesota for the great work you do as well. One note to all of you history buffs, I am writing a book about the history of the lake. I would like to hear from old timers and be put in touch with sources. I have the usual ones -- DNR, Historical society, Resort owners, archives, Tribe leadership, but if you have fished the big pond for more than 35 years, please drop me a line at [email protected]. I'm looking for some neat vignettes to round out Legacies, Legends and Lore: Minnesota's Lake Mille Lacs.

[The Cranker]

Rodmaker,

Thats some pretty darn good fishing you have had.

I am happy with the very nice walleye fishing we have had. We have all become very spoiled in the fact that we can fish a bodey of water such as Mille Lacs and catch multiple fish over 25 inches and a few keepers for the pan. Limits of walleyes are a Bonus! And we have all been experiencing some excellent Bonus's on the lake thus far.

Its been a privilage to have such great fishing on Mille Lacs Lake.

There are many of times we have thrown these 14 to 16 inch fish back this year. I am guessing that we have thrown probably 50 to 100 of these fish back to fish for the 17 inchers on up. I know a two inch slot is tough. Its only for the good of our lake resource!

Fish On!!!

[The Cranker]

Spankster,

Thanks for your thoughts.

I would like to get you in touch with a few people to help you out with your book. Please contact me when you are able.

And thank you for your services in our military! Because of heros like you we are all able to do the things that we love to do in this great country. Thank you again Spankster!

Fish On!!!

[james_walleye]

Just a quick thought. I saw a few fish floating this weekend. And when you see some of these boats catch a fish you see why some fish are floating. Is it rude too say something too a boat that has a 25" walleye out of the boat for 3 minutes? Why is it a hard concept too have the needle nose out and handy. Dont spend 45 seconds digging a hook out of the walleyes guts, cut the hook. And have the camera handy. If the needle nose is handy, ruler handy, camera handy, it can all be done in less than 30 seconds, not 2 or 3 minutes.

[pfluemis]

This thread is a good example of what happens when the cluelss spout off.

The Chippewa indians are the problem??? Get a clue. Their limit is 100,000lbs. Less than 1/4 of the total allowable harvest.

The DNR doesn't know what they are doing?? Yeah, that must be true. A record harvest in 2002, requiring them to implement a harvest limit program for 2003. Then, 4 years later anglers reached the harvest limit in 6 weeks. Yeah, Mille lacs has gone down hill, a dead sea. The DNR is ever learning, much like all humans should be doing, but I think they, for the most part, have been moving in a positive direction. It's tough to do what they do with so few people and limited resources.

Your fishing trip is ruined becouse the slot limit is smaller? Well, they are on the 4th year of a 5 year program. After 4 years, I would think by now you would have known this could happen and you would have planned accordingly. There are 15,000 other lakes in the state you could have used as your "back up" for when this happened. Failure to plan on your part is YOUR problem. It sure isn't the DNR's or the Indians fault that anglers harvested so many fish so fast, it's you and your peers fault.

[rodmaker]

Thanks!!!! It's been a blast so far this year. Looking forward to getting up there this Fall and give trolling crankbaits a shot

I just wonder, can the fishing get any better than it is this year?? Truely amazing.

[CaptainMusky]

Quote:

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Yes you should make some concessions as we lied, stole and murdered these people numerous times for our own gain and then when we did give them something, alot of the land was useless or barren of game. I guess a few fish for them is enough to cover the slaughter of their people. People like you make me nautious. Do you honestly think they want the fishery to go down the tubes - their casino business thrives on tourism so if the fishing sucks the tourism sucks. I don't think they make millions on fishing. But this should not matter so you can have your few eaters every time you go up.

No, you or I did not do this to these people - but the government in the past did and at least they have a few things to build on. They did not have te opportunites other people had as far as a good education, employment, since they were forced onto reservations. If the slaves were treat this way - you would probaly see the same thing. God forbid something would happen to you with your employment and you would need some concessions.

If you want eaters there are plenty of places to go to get those, me I would rather have a lake that gives you the chance of a trophy of a lifetime everytime out and it is not in Canada.

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NEANGLER, I mean no disrespect to the Native Americans. Not to get on a soapbox here, but I felt it necessary to somewhat defend what I typed, but I was just trying to point out things have changed dramatically since those treaties were signed (pointed out specific references from one of them in my original post). Because of this I believe it is necessary to revisit them.

BTW, the band in Red Lake destroyed that lake, so YES, it can happen.

I don't like what happened to these people hundreds of years ago, but continuing to isolate them doesn't seem to be the answer either.

Sorry for the off-the-original topic rant.

[fishhawk1750]

Speaking of trophy fish, we went out this weekend and landed a 29 inch 6.4 lb fish that looked like it had reached the end of the line. How have the weights been on the fish you have caught?

[james_walleye]

I caught a 27 1/4" fish on saturday that i would guess weighed 4 1/2 lbs.

[spankster]

update from Day 1 of new slot. I live on the south shore. Saw only three boats on this end tonight and witnessed about 30 dead over-20s floating onto the Izatys eastern beach. If it's a quiet time you are looking for, we may have found it....

[fishorgolf]

probably everytime it goes for a meal theres a hook in it.

[fishorgolf]

spankster, I am on the southeast corner. I guess I will be cleaning the shore and feeding the tomatoe plants when I get up there thursday.