Public Access

[Springerguy1]

The more this Terry fella' talks the more like a hypocrit he sounds. Let's see here - first he suggest just having the public access open certain hours since to limit the fishing. I didn't see anything about limiting the time resort owners can fish. Must have missed the DNR stating their mission was to provide business opportunities for resort owners? I don't think the majority of folks fishing would endorse reducing access as he states....maybe limiting the number of launches with large groups..really, those large launches really add to the summer kill.

I find his comments about buying out the tribe quota interesting as well. Funny logic though - the funding for this should come from the DNR? Really Terry? I don't fish Mille Lacs once or twice a year but I should help fund a buyout? Since Terry pays the "real estate taxes" maybe he should fund the proposed buyout. The hatchery on Mille Lacs - sure, Terry, the rest of us don't mind using limited DNR funds to make sure your business is the priority.

[Powerstroke]

I totally agree with the previous post. I highly doubt that if someone is at the access day after day, they are driving from the cities. EVen if they are form the cities, in order to have somewhere to stay every one of those days, they need to be staying on private property (taxes paid) or they are staying at a campground/motel/hotel/resort etc. which would mean dollars spent in the area. Its a very narrow-minded opinion.

For someone to think that political pressure made changes to the slot and regs would be crazy. If so then why haven't they changed it again. SOunds like the outcry is AGAINST the slot.

There are many many issues here that are very complex. Terry complains about people who fish the lake but don't spend a dime in the area. Sometimes I go camping in the area and don't spend a dime either. I can get there and home on a tank of gas, don't buy bait and bring my own food. I'm not a drain on the area, so whats the big deal?

Terry doesn't like the Native American's having the rights to take fish, or at least would like to find ways for them to take fewer fish, cause apparently the Native Americans are as entitled as he is.

If the lake didn't have a hot bite he would be complaining about a different way to manage the lake. It obviously isn't in a shortage of fish, so whats the problem? It is a great lake and there is no reason to reduce the fishing. They are reducing the harvest. If Leech Lake became the hot bite and everyone drove past ML to fish then he would complain about that.

I'm not really sure what his position is, but if he looking to get more service I've always been told you catch more flies with honey than vinegar. He is a poor representative for the area and I feel bad for the folks that he is giving a bad name. I agree that not all resorts or guides in the area feel the way he does, in fact I haven't head any agree with him that weren't quoted.....Its a bit self serving and insincere.

I've used 2 resorts, one motel and 2 bait shops on ML in the last year and would recommend them to anyone. Appeldoorns and Twin Pines were great. Great service, great folks and a great time. Tutts bait and tackle in Garrison and the shop in Isle on the south side just on 47, they were great. Also stayed in a motel in Wahkon, on the south side. Great place. Ate a great restaurant across the street. The folks at Hunter Winfields ahve been great to folks on here also.

Nobody there ever talked bad about any of the guests there or the people who visit the area.

The Aitkin County Commissioner should be ashamed. Something tells me the humble folks of Aitkin county don't pay to launch any more than folks from the cities. Public access to lakes, land, trails etc is shared by all. There is a huge shortage of hunting land, but since there aren't any guides trying to run a business off of any of the WMA's there isn't a controversy there. Go figure.

If I want service I will pay for it, but if I can do it myself then why not.

[jnorm1984]

Business quality and hospitality, and a nice facility, very important when attarct comstomers to a resort- I noticed Izatys said business was great in their response- The man of the hour has bigger problems other than the attempting to control public water, and peoples personal choices...

[james_walleye]

Everything that is being suggested by said person has a hidden ingredient that is the real reason for the suggestions. His business might benefit. The fishery isnt the main concern. He's playing it off that way, but how dumb does he think everyone is?

[Shack]

Ya, if I was going to go out on a launch I would try Terries.

It could be fun?

If the some major guides swar by him, I think it could be good.

What was the name of his resort before he bought it. I used to go thier with my grandfather?

[Matt C]

Star Trib

In the Star Trib today.

[deadminnowcatcher]

Dennis Anderson says in his article that comments made dont make him a bad guy

[MuskieSlayer]

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Dennis Anderson says in his article that comments made dont make him a bad guy

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Didn't another well known Dennis, Denny Green, say something to the effect of, "The great thing about America is that everyone has an opinion. The other great thing is that I don't have to listen to them." Fortunately, we are all entitled to our opinion as well.

I found it interesting Dennis touched on the tension between rural folk and city folk. Anyone who has spent much time on this forum is well aware if it. Can't we all just get along?

[deadminnowcatcher]

well said-- Mille Lacs is a drop in the bucket when you compare it to SD Lakes. Very bitter people over there with Minnesotans vishing ""Their Lakes""

[love2fish4ever]

Am I understanding all this right, the business owners want us out of towners to come , but the locals do not? & if we do come we're not supposed to take any fish out of the lake? My family has been up there twice this year for the first time ever & had a great time. Brought home 4 fish the first time & none the next, which is fine I don't really come up there for the "take home" anyway, just enjoyed the fishing experience very much. We were treated very nicely by everyone we encountered, so I must have missed the animosity somewhere. Seems like a case of "want, but don't want". Very mixed messages

L2f

[palisade1kid]

To enter a response here about the local feelings would bring on a whole lotta grief for the poster.

[papabear]

Its not the individuals who come to an area that the locals dislike; it is the mass of people who come. The article hit it pretty close whn he mentioned the mad rush to fish a hot lake. The regulars to a lake is normal and mostly good. But when a lake is invaded by a lot of people, who are there only to get in on a hot bite, then everyone gets a little testy. Concerns that have simmerd for a while, like the good of the fishery, greed, and crowding come to the surface. People can start claiming that they are being crowded off of a spot, or the lines are too long, or someone is in their way. Others complain their town is being overrun or the lake will crash if this continues. Either way you look at it this happens when things go good, or too good depending on your point of view. Everyone has an ax to grind no matter where you are from.

[palisade1kid]

Very good point Papabear.

There are other issues.....

Littering

Noise pollution(jet ski's&snomobilies/late night)

Theft

Lake traffic/over population

General car traffic

Lost tranquility

Lack of respect for property/lands/trespassing

[eyepatrol]

The mad rush to a lake with a 'hot bite' is the nature of the beast. There isn't much getting around it unless perhaps it's on a small lake where hardly anyone fishes it and those that do are able to keep the word mum.

There are 2 lakes in southcentral MN that have felt this pressure due to a hot bite. Last year on one particular lake the launch would have 4 - 6 rigs in it anytime throughout the day. This year, you get there at 6:00am and the parking lot is 80% full.

However, I'm sure the bait & tackle stores are not critical of the people that have been attracted to those lakes like what's happened with Thurmer & Bailey. You just don't bite the hand that feeds ya....unless you're a walleye looking at my crawler!

[Desperado]

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Seems like a case of "want, but don't want". Very mixed messages

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It seems like a mixed message at first; but if you've ever worked in a casino (and I have), then you know quite clearly what the want/don't want message is: "We want your money, but we don't want to have to deal with having you around any longer than it takes for you to spend your money and leave."

[120345gd]

Not to beat a dead horse (or fish, wink wink), but if there are prostitutes amongst the Minnesotans who fish Lake Mille Lacs, I think the guides/pimps that take the launches out, three or more times a day, seven days a week, rain or shine, showing many-a buyer a good time, more fits the definition of true prostitutes...Its the oldest profession in the book some say!

To make a confession, I did go on a launch from the certain service-at-issue, and on that trip I heard that every Sunday their "service" takes real female dancers (strippers) from the MSP area out on a private launch on Lake Mille Lacs -- so there was some truth to the Captain's assertions, however, he forgot whose boat the prostitutes were actually in...

[Shack]

This has really peeked my interest!!!!!!!!!!

My buddies and I owe our wives a night out fishing. It has been over due for a long time.

I talked with a couple buddies to night and a launch trip to Terries was on the agenda.

I figure, what the heck! It could make the night a little more interesting. We could hear his side of the story a little more.

Again, I have been called much worse because of my fishing and he did not say such and such is a prostitute. I feel the majority of people offended by this are not even in the class of fisherman he is talking about.

Tomorrow night is full with a "King of The Cats" get together, but a week from now I think we could get up their.

Ah, what’s the harm? It is helping Mille Laces local economy and gets the wives out. Dual purpose!

[123fish]

Strippers on the launches? Did the Vikings take up walleye fishing?

[Matt C]

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Strippers on the launches? Did the Vikings take up walleye fishing?

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Haha. Thats good!

[papabear]

I just remembered to those who live in Hennipen County. You can claim that the Twins are yours and we from the outstate must respect that. You are after all paying for their stadium. And maybe even a Vikings stadium too. So I guess you will get the "dancers" too.

[jigginjim]

Dancers on a launch, Now that could be a full boat.