Please ask the DNR to Protect Pool 2 from poaching

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Its a big problem that I have witnessed personally this week. I'm speaking of mainly keeping walleyes. Help protect this fabulous fishery and ask the DNR to focus resources on the problem like education(signs at landings and parks)as well as patrol/enforcement along shoreline. The problem is bigger than you think. Thanks.

[fisherman-andy]

Did you call TIP? Remember to collect any info about them as much as you can. Type of boat, car, truck, license plates & numbers. Posting such info can help some of us to keep watch for these law breakers.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

My buddy called the DNR. They said that water is not patrolled by boat and getting a timely response to TIP call not likely. They need to change their policy to protect the fishery.

[PierBridge]

I'll say they have been doing a wonderful job down at Minnehaha Creek this year with many multiple officer patrols both from land and water.

It has really curtailed some of the illegal activty in this area anyway.

Thanks Conservation Officer Thor Nelson and keep up the good work!

[nofishfisherman]

I know I have seen them at Minnehaha, they just pulled the boat up to the left of the creek. I still have seen some poaching going on but not much.

But I am sure there is still alot more that i don't see. It seems like alot of the guys that fish near the creek on a regular basis try to keep the people honest and will call them on it when they keep an illegal fish.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Response from DNR.

The MN DNR does in fact have Conservation Officers patrolling Pool 2 of the Mississippi River. The officers not only patrol in watercraft, but they also patrol on foot as well as on bicycles. The officers are not able to be on Pool 2 constantly. Their patrol areas include several other bodies of water in addition to the many other duties that they are assigned. I can personally attest to the fact that Conservation Officers patrol Pool 2 year round when conditions allow.

I strongly encourage anglers to call the TIP line at 1-800-652-9093 when they see violations. Note as much information as possible about the violator and pass it on to the dispatcher. Be aware however, that there are times when a Conservation Officer is not available to respond immediately. ALL TIP calls are responded to as soon as possible.

Thank you for your concern and your dedication to Minnesota's Natural Resources.

1LT John Hunt

District Supervisor

MN DNR-Division of Enforcement

651-735-7042

[email protected]

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

Very interesting to hear about Minnehaha Creek. That is where I saw the violation. Its good to hear they are out there. I was misinformed before. I hope they put the fear into the poachers.

[PierBridge]

It's a problem area with lots of people fishing, language barriers make tough to communicate.

Like NoFish said we do have a civilian CO down there his name is Jerry and he does one heck of a Job keeping things in order down there.

Thanks for your concern Suzuki much appreciated!

[Dave B]

I saw someone poaching down there a few years ago. I told him that he cant keep those fish (walleye). He gave me the old hands up, no speak english look without saying anything. Then I said "no toma este pescado, policia" and he released them. I am sure I said it wrong, my spanish is weak, but I guess it was good enough.

[nofishfisherman]

I think that this is one spot that a sign should be posted about the special regulations since so many people fish here and so many catch fish. If it were in English, Spanish, and Hmong I think the sign would do alot of good. If the people ignore the sign atleast someone can go up to them and point it out and tell them to throw the fish back. One simple sign would help i think.

[EBass]

I've been checked by the CO at Minnehaha confluence back when I didn't have my boat. Same guy also patrols the 694 area to. Dressed in plain clothes but underneath is the uni and walkie talkie..

Yes a BIG sign there would help. Actually I thought there was but people kept stealing it or breaking it. Some reason it's not there anymore. It's way on top by the parking lots but it's a lil sign.

[PierBridge]

The sign had a brief career down there.. ....and the one at the top of the steps is pretty useless fewer people come down that way!

Yes we need a New sign I'll E-Mail CO Nelson and see what he has to say!

[Grant Pearson]

I'm not sure how much it would help, but I'll try e-mailing the LT that I know. I've done a few classes with LT Owens and he's always willing to lend an ear. Maybe if it went higher up, something would get done.

[PierBridge]

Good Idea....\I still have not contacted Nelson yet reguarding this.

[Grant Pearson]

I sent him an e-mail and will be calling him as well as talking to him at the state fair. It's always nice to have friends in higher places.

[mplspug]

The language barrier crap is a cop out. If you can figure out how to buy a license, you can figure out how many you can legally keep.

Maybe the next time a cop pulls me over for speeding I will tell him I was never good at math.

[nofishfisherman]

Quote:

---

If you can figure out how to buy a license, you can figure out how many you can legally keep

---

Who says they all buy a license?

[Grant Pearson]

The best thing we can do, after talking with a friend of mine, who is a LT with the MNDNR is to call TIP as much as we can whenever we see a violation in the area. The CO in charge of the area is Jason Peterson, and his phone number is listed on the DNR Website. Look for the link to CO information and you'll find his number. Tho CO's do have a fairly large area to cover, and is hard for them to respond quickly, but the more TIP reports Jason gets from a certain area, the more he will patrol the area. And when calling TIP, make sure you get all the info you can, plus the violation. Jason will get the info.

[jigginjim]

My money is on (nofishfisherman). Are you sure they bought a licence?

I have seen CO's down there with their binos' out. They have very very good bino's.