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Anybody for them in the big OT?

fishin58
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hhguide Mentor

hhguide

Posted
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I'm also against it if there up in the Ottertail area run overf to west battle Lake that has some huge muskies in it. I think they should keep ottertail as a walleye lake thats why people come up to ottertail for the walleyes and perch! I think with the big northerns starting to pop up we dont need to introduce muskies to the lake. I also agree with the if its not broken why fix it mentality.

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CRANKBAIT_GUY2 Contributor

CRANKBAIT_GUY2

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Amish,

No it's really not like catching northerns. Unless they're over 20 lbs, it's like it at all. It's like the difference between smallmouth and largemouth bass. They're almost completely different.

Jay,

Almost every lake is stock with something, mostly eyes. Also, big muskie lakes in this state have stocked fish in them. Hardly any have a real natural strain. Leech is the only lake they haven't heavily stocked muskies in. Mille Lacs and Vermillion, maybe the 2 best muskie lakes in the world, have been created by stocking programs, and if you fish those lakes for walleyes, you'll see there pretty good. Not to mention all other fish in those systems. Muskies have had zero impact.

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B. Amish Veteran

B. Amish

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well, i guess what i'm saying is a guy shouldn't have to go to canada to get a chance to tie into a 20+ lb. northern. we have waters that are more than capable right here, all we need to do is tighten the screws on some of the regs to protect these big pike.

and i think OT is on that path to producing 20+ lb pike.

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Gissert Grand Master

Gissert

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Agreed!

Since they put the 30 inch minimum size limit on the pike, the average size seems to be creeping up.

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CRANKBAIT_GUY2 Contributor

CRANKBAIT_GUY2

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Amish,

I hope it does. But, it's seems very difficult to create great northern fisheries. The DNR is really in the infant stages of the pike program, and really doesn't know what works in totality. It would be pretty cool to catch consistant 5-6 lbs fish, with the opportunity to get giants. There's not too many place you can do that anymore.

But, if you want big toothy critters in a lake, the DNR muskie program is the best in the country hands down, and OT would be a great place to start them, along with the northern program.

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fishin58 Mentor

fishin58

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If all the 5-6 lbers didn't end up on the butcher block we would be somewhere. But the fact of the matter is every guy I know over the age of 40 will KEEP these fish. I love it when I catch em and when they tell me they will keep it. The look on there face when I throw it back...priceless.

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B. Amish Veteran

B. Amish

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If all the 5-6 lbers didn't end up on the butcher block we would be somewhere. But the fact of the matter is every guy I know over the age of 40 will KEEP these fish. I love it when I catch em and when they tell me they will keep it. The look on there face when I throw it back...priceless.

Couldn't agree more...

I don't like to tell people what they should keep or throw back. But just when those northerns break through the snot-rocket stage and start to grow some shoulders, they end up on the table. Those are the fish that are on the path to trophy size.

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Gissert Grand Master

Gissert

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I am 42, and I have released EVERY pike I have ever caught on OT.

Most of the people I know over 40 are very happy to release a lunker.

The age where C and R being widely accepted is older than you may think. My brother is in his late 50's and has no trouble releasing hefty fish.

I was born and raised by parent who lived through the Great Depression. They came from a different era and mind set - everything hit the butcher block.

As my father got into his sunset years, he accepted C and R. He understood the value once presented with the facts.

A little education goes a long way with C and R.

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fishin58 Mentor

fishin58

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You barely snuck in there Giz! Just a age number I thought was close I know there are some C and R's out there, Some of my hillbilly buddies fillet anything that move, I am 26, like you said education goes a long ways. But some times that choice has to be taken out of there hands.

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CRF32 Apprentice

CRF32

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The picture is from Orwell Dam which is southwest of Fergus Falls.

Chad

Thanks for the Link, fishin58

Does anyone recognize those two flag poles in the Back ground?

I'm tryin to figure out the exact location.

Thanks in advance

Brian

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