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St Croix/Lake Pepin white bass


MDNRMetroRivers

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Just so people are aware, there is a white bass tagging project the MNDNR is starting this year on the St Croix and Lake Pepin. Yellow tags will be sticking out of the backs of tagged white bass. We are going to start posting flyers at boat ramps and bait shops and will also have creel clerks handing out little business cards with instructions on how to report tagged white bass.

Reporting the tags is easy and can be done online at http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/tagged_fish_reporting/index.html and simply walk through the process. You can click on the interactive map to show where you caught the white bass, then the next page will have a menu of a few things to fill out like species, length, color of tag, number on the tag, harvested or released, etc. Although as of right now, white bass are not on the drop down menu of tagged fish species, they will be added shortly.

Tagging has begun and we are hoping to tag several thousand between the St Croix and Lake Pepin. Reporting these fish will go a long way towards helping us understand this overlooked fish. The more reports we get, the better the data.

Feel free to post any questions and thank you!

Joel Stiras

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Sweet! one of a few highly prized but overlooked fish in the state. Good info! Thanks!

Tunrevir~

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I would severely agree that White bass are overlooked. Why? Maybe because some think the fish is too easy to catch and they dont taste good? Or often times they dont like the texture of the meat as can be off flavor or give a muddy fishy flavor. Or just bias as other fish such as Walleye are considered king for table fare.

The muddy off flavor is caused by chemicals produced by certain algae, fungi, and bacteria in the water. This condition can persist as long as the organism causing the off-flavor is at a high density within the culture system. Off-flavor fish must be purged of these chemicals by removing them from the culture water long enough for the bad tasting chemicals to leave their bodies. Opting to cut out the dark or red meat on the filets will likely rid of this when cooked.

Since White Bass is overlooked I guess suggesting stocking a fish like a hybrid striper in MN would be out of the question to bring more attention to these hard fighting temperate bass as a sport fish? Im tired to driving down to other neighboring states to chase these hybrids and would rather much spend the $$$ here in MN.

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Since White Bass is overlooked I guess suggesting stocking a fish like a hybrid striper in MN would be out of the question to bring more attention to these hard fighting temperate bass as a sport fish? Im tired to driving down to other neighboring states to chase these hybrids and would rather much spend the $$$ here in MN.

I agree 100%, since we have lots of pools here lets just stock one of them with stripers or the hybrids. tons of people including me have to always head out of state just to maybe catch one hybrid because it is such a prize fish and monster fighter. I caught myself one in IOWA a few years ago and got hooked myself, now I try to go everyere just to catch one. they should really stcck them here so we dont go out of state.

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I may be wrong, but I think the concern may be that wipers might not do as well here in MN due to the state being a little far on the northern end of their range. I know IA is only a few hrs south of us, but seems they stay warmer throughout the year and longer. Perhaps the DNR can try and test the wiper population survival rate at a lake somewhere? Perhaps this has been done or is in progress?

I do agree it would be awesome if they get stocked here. If it happens, there should be strict bag and size limits as these hybrids are sterile.

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I may be wrong, but I think the concern may be that wipers might not do as well here in MN due to the state being a little far on the northern end of their range. I know IA is only a few hrs south of us, but seems they stay warmer throughout the year and longer. Perhaps the DNR can try and test the wiper population survival rate at a lake somewhere? Perhaps this has been done or is in progress?

I do agree it would be awesome if they get stocked here. If it happens, there should be strict bag and size limits as these hybrids are sterile.

I dont see why a hybrid striper (wiper) cant do well in MN or even Southern MN. Since they have white bass genes I think they may even do well up North.

On contrary hybrid stripers are not sterile. They can spawn and can do so with white bass and pure bred striped bass. The issue at hand is their eggs have no bouyancy or stickyness to cling and will likely settle on the bottom silt to die from lack of oxygen. Otherwise its possible nature can find a way?

Being that the percentage of wild spawn is very minimal or next to nothing these hybrids can be easier to manage as far as population control. I'd gladly pay for a fee or fish stamp to start a program to have these fish stocked in some waters. I think it can change the way Minnesotans view the temperate bass as a sport fish.

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Awesome. That's good to know. Thanks for sharing Andy. I agree with the fee or fish stamp. Say... Lets make a push for this!!

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Hey lets stay on the topic of white bass! smile I think we can all agree that they are great fish both for catching and eating. I for one am very glad to hear about the study.

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Hey lets stay on the topic of white bass! smile I think we can all agree that they are great fish both for catching and eating. I for one am very glad to hear about the study.

Ive seen many anglers dislike catching white bass over the years, so its hard for me to believe that everyone is on onboard for this fish. I think this is the main reason why its taken so long for the MN DNR to execute such a program for white bass. But I am glad that they are at least now giving it attention.

As a sportfish pound for pound the white bass is on of the hardest fighting fish in MN. If you think 3-4lb white bass fights hard wait till you land a big hybrid or striper on the line. smile

As a food source honestly I prefer white bass from waters such as Devils Lake, ND just as I would prefer Northern MN/Canadian walleyes over metro. Almost no fishy, or muddy smell taste from those waters up North. I do recommend bleeding the fish if caught in the metro to help eliminate or lessen the off flavor.

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Ive seen many anglers dislike catching white bass over the years,

Andy,

I have seen anglers dislike catching smallmouth bass. I have seen anglers dislike catching northern pike. My point is lets stay on topic of white bass here and how the MN DNR is doing a study on one of my favorite fish - the white bass.

I am sure whippers crush.

Guys please read the MN DNR post and help the tagging study, so in other words if you catch a tagged white bass. Report it.

Keep catchin'

Turk

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Andy,

I have seen anglers dislike catching smallmouth bass. I have seen anglers dislike catching northern pike. My point is lets stay on topic of white bass here and how the MN DNR is doing a study on one of my favorite fish - the white bass.

I am sure whippers crush.

Guys please read the MN DNR post and help the tagging study, so in other words if you catch a tagged white bass. Report it.

Keep catchin'

Turk

It's Wipers, not whippers. smile

I understand your point, but I dont think im alone in thinking so and i'll believe it when I see white bass get the same attention Smallmouth Bass, Pike, Walleye or other popular game fish species. Some may even consider White Bass trash fish but to me its a great fish. And yes there are plenty out there that love the fish too. White Bass is popular among Asian community anglers which I think may have played a good role in pushing this survey to happen? But im sure you already knew that since you guide on the Croix. wink

My intent wasnt to throw things off topic, but educate or bring a better recognition for the temperate bass since the survey is being done. Either way were still talking white bass. I know post threads like this are generally ignored and disappear off the front board quickly forgotten. I was just giving it further attention to keep it at the top so it be recognize for a few days as there's been little feedback post. Since giving my opinions or views are considered off topic then i'll do it a favor and leave the thread alone to keep it on topic as you said. cool

Kudos to the MN DNR again. smile I'll definitely report mines in if I do catch one with a tag.

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One of the absolute best, and most fun fish to fish for day in and day out on light tackle and they are not at all bad tasting, if you know how to prepare them! I for one am glad that peeps are focused on the other fish in the river. I think they may be the equivalent of the eelpout in many circles and it suits me just fine wink

Tunrevir~

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I caught and released a tagged white bass on the St Croix south of I94 on sunday but didnt pull the tag out as I had no idea about this survey. I caught about 10 but wasnt looking too closely for tags on them.

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My Wife & kids LOVE to eat White Bass.

OP: Thanks for the heads up, I'll report when we catch the tagged ones.

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