New lawsuit

[CaptainMusky]

Dtro, Mille Lacs has been and always will be a fixture walleye lake. Sure, walleyes can be a renewable resource by enhancing stocking efforts, but Mille Lacs is one body of water that isnt stocked and relies solely on natural reproduction.

Sure what is going on in the lake now may be cyclical. Its also not terribly different than what happened to Red. Granted I would say Red was significantly worse and I dont think anyone would argue that.

What happened when the walleyes plummeted there? The crappies took off. Its the same thing that is happening with the pike and smallies in Mille Lacs right now, but ONE major difference.

On Red, the crappies needed about 10 different things to come together in order for them to have the boom they had and they all did.

On ML the smallies and pike are always very successful spawners so they can really overrun a lake in a hurry.

a BASS tourney is intriguing. Sure it would bring in some money for a couple weekends, but would that even put a dent on what they are losing because of the walleye situation? I doubt it.

There is nothing stopping you from enjoying the carp and smallies to your heart's content. In fact, many people already have been, but those numbers pale in comparison to the rest who enjoy fishing for a fish that "doesnt fight back"

[bassfshin24]

If you read my comment Captain I said they keep everything they can. Meaning every fish that they can keep legally they do.

[CaptainMusky]

If you read my comment Captain I said they keep everything they can. Meaning every fish that they can keep legally they do.

I did read your comment. Just because they keep a fish doesnt mean they do not C&R. Like I said, C&R for walleyes wouldnt cure the problem this lake has right now anyway.

Even if they keep everything they can, it was still below "safe harvest" levels so whats the problem?

[bassfshin24]

I was just saying that I believe over harvest was one of the main contributers to the problem that the lake is facing today. With all the fish that netting takes out of the lake and all the fish that anglers take out of the lake...I don't see how the lake can maintain a good population of eyes. This is just my opinion. I maybe be completely off but I don't feel like I am.

[Alagnak]

Being that the vast majority of WALLEYE fisherman are in it for the meat (just look at all of them that drive past ML now to go to Leech, Red, LOTW because of the limit) I think the resorts that care about the lake AND their customers should just promise to send home every customer with two walleyes- but close the lake down for keeping fish. They can buy them from a commercial source elsewhere with a good population. That way all of the WALLEYE fisherman that want to just drive and hour and a half to get away from the old lady can still fish ML and still come home with MEAT so they can puff their chests up to the wife and friends because there was still blood shed of the ever so not so tasty and not very good fighting WALLEYE.

[Michael L]

What I find interesting with all the tension and unhappiness from the locals up there with the Native Americans is they are wanting exactly what they criticize the Natives for.

They are upset with the white man and his government.

Ideas of an interest free loan to help weather the financial storm are not enough, expect more of monies to be given to them if there were to be so.

Claiming angling heritage rights that benefit them financially.

[DTro]

Dtro, Mille Lacs has been and always will be a fixture walleye lake. Sure, walleyes can be a renewable resource by enhancing stocking efforts, but Mille Lacs is one body of water that isnt stocked and relies solely on natural reproduction.

And produces more eggs than the entire state of MN stocking program each year. Its a walleye factory, plain and simple. This lake DOES NOT need to be stocked. It needs to be managed differently. The DNR admits this and has a plan in place that will hopefully turns things around.

I'm sure a lawsuit is the better way to go though.

[CaptainMusky]

I think the lawsuit is ridiculous and will not accomplish the desired result. If its successful it may set the recovery back several years because of more red tape handcuffing the dnr from being able to do their job in the name of being transparent.

[tat2jonnie]

As a walleye fisherman that lives and works on Mille Lacs, I can say that I am very disappointed in the results of the DNR/GLIFWC management.

It's getting harder every day to put food on my families' table.

I don't care who's fault it is. We just need to FIX it.

The DNR/GLIFWC co-management has proven that it CANNOT solve the lake's problems.

They say that they are working on it, but admit that with so many variables, that they don't have a clue............

Meanwhile, it's Rammen soup again.

[Gordie]

Quote:

I don't care who's fault it is. We just need to FIX it.

If that doesn't work then who would get sued...

All this trying to fix stuff is what the problem is!

[Red Miller]

Being that the vast majority of WALLEYE fisherman are in it for the meat (just look at all of them that drive past ML now to go to Leech, Red, LOTW because of the limit) I think the resorts that care about the lake AND their customers should just promise to send home every customer with two walleyes- but close the lake down for keeping fish. They can buy them from a commercial source elsewhere with a good population. That way all of the WALLEYE fisherman that want to just drive and hour and a half to get away from the old lady can still fish ML and still come home with MEAT so they can puff their chests up to the wife and friends because there was still blood shed of the ever so not so tasty and not very good fighting WALLEYE.

If God didn't want us to eat WALLEYES, he wouldn't have made them out of MEAT. Get over it!

[DTro]

I wonder what Bass and Musky and Carp are made of??

[GravelBar]

How many times have you seen a restaurant with bass, musky or carp as the special? How about the casino?

[tat2jonnie]

No, the problem is people thinking that the problem will take care of itself.

Here's a 2011 article:

Bands' walleye harvest continues to rise

Article by: DOUG SMITH , Star Tribune Updated: March 3, 2011 - 11:25 AM

The walleye harvest levels for the Chippewa bands on Lake Mille Lacs stir debate.

When eight Chippewa bands begin netting walleyes this spring on Lake Mille Lacs, they will be shooting for a record harvest -- 142,500 pounds.

That 71 tons of fish is 42 percent more than the bands' allocation only four years ago, and reflects a rising harvest by Chippewa netters since 1997, when courts affirmed the bands off-reservation hunting, fishing and gathering rights.

This year, the bands' target share of walleyes would be 26 percent of the "safe harvest level" agreed to by the bands and state, meaning non-band anglers still get 74 percent, or 397,500 pounds.

But the actual band harvest the past three years has averaged 42 percent of total harvest. Last year, the bands harvested 124,000 pounds, while non-band anglers took home 271,000 pounds -- a 69-31 percent split. Twice in the past eight years the bands' actual harvest exceeded 50 percent of the total walleye take, the numbers inflated because of low overall harvest.

"At some point, the state might challenge the amount the band is declaring," said Dirk Peterson, state Department of Natural Resources fisheries chief. "We don't know what the number is that would cause us to do that. So far, the relationship [between the state and bands] has been good. It's been friendly tension. We have a common interest in the health and well-being of the Mille Lacs fishery."

Brad Kalk, commissioner of the Mille Lacs Chippewa band natural resources department, said it would be irresponsible to try to predict future harvest levels. But he said there is growing interest in netting fish among band members.

Zorn said he's uncertain whether that interest will continue to grow. "The major factors that drive band member interest are the need for fish for food and cultural purposes," he said. Fish consumption advisories, overall health of the fish population in a lake and spring weather patterns also affect where and how much tribal members net fish, he said.

Each year, the 1837 Treaty Fisheries Committee, comprising DNR, GLIFWC and band members, determines the safe harvest level for Mille Lacs. That was pegged at 540,000 pounds this year, down 4,000 pounds from last year. The band's allocation has been increased by 10,000 pounds, while the non-band anglers take has been reduced by 14,000 pounds.

As for the future, the bands' next five-year plan "is certainly a big unknown," said Pat Schmalz, 1837 Treaty biologist for the DNR. "We think the 18-28-inch reg is pretty flexible, and even if the tribal allocation gets a little bit higher than it is now, we can utilize it."

"Here we are at 65 tons in spring 2010," Steve Fellegy said. "I have grave concerns about what the future brings, based on the past."

This is now the future. Total safe allowable harvest is 60,000 lbs. for both parties.

What's it going to be NEXT year?????????????

[Carp-fisher]

Ok, I'm going to chip in my 2 cents as a temporary weekend armchair biologist (like most people here)....but probably an elephant in the room is the fact that alot of the heavy walleye pressure is from livebait action. Sure the slots are tight and the harvest is controlled, but that don't do any good if theres a bajillion dead fish due to gut hooking. There, I'm done.

[Alagnak]

How many times have you seen a restaurant with bass, musky or carp as the special? How about the casino?

Have you ever been out of your county/ state? There are other fish on menus you know. Tough to see through those walleye tinted shades though.

[tat2jonnie]

Yeah, Carp-fisher, I wish we could do a crash course on catch and release for those that need to pull that 20 cent hook out of their gullet or throw the fish back before it's revived. It's shameful.

By the way, do you ACTUALLY eat those carp you catch? Just wondering, cuz I've never eaten one............

[kgpcr4]

Being that the vast majority of WALLEYE fisherman are in it for the meat (just look at all of them that drive past ML now to go to Leech, Red, LOTW because of the limit) I think the resorts that care about the lake AND their customers should just promise to send home every customer with two walleyes- but close the lake down for keeping fish. They can buy them from a commercial source elsewhere with a good population. That way all of the WALLEYE fisherman that want to just drive and hour and a half to get away from the old lady can still fish ML and still come home with MEAT so they can puff their chests up to the wife and friends because there was still blood shed of the ever so not so tasty and not very good fighting WALLEYE.

Now that's hilarious. C&R kills a ton of fish. We have all seen the floaters and the guys who caught fish after fish when the bite was on and killed many of them only to puff their chest and brag their C&R and how high and mighty they are for conserving the lake when they killed as many or more than the guy who caught and kept some to take home to eat. The big C&R guys are a joke.

[tat2jonnie]

Have you ever been out of your county/ state? There are other fish on menus you know. Tough to see through those walleye tinted shades though.

[GravelBar]

Have you ever been out of your county/ state? There are other fish on menus you know. Tough to see through those walleye tinted shades though.

[Carp-fisher]

Actually yeah I have eaten carp...decent smoked, but then whats not. In the grand scheme of things, I put walleye one slight notch ahead of largemouth bass and below perch. Walleye are dog food compared almost any fish out of the ocean...including bottom feeders.

[jentz]

What do the cattle boats do (launches) they take many out to fish Right?do they say just take what you need?NO they take them out to catch limits! Thats turn around come next time we will get you your limit again! How bout the guides> Do they say please only take what you need?people hire guides to take their limit.the resorts recommend guides and say stay here you'll get all you want,Stay here we'll get you on them!You'll limit out!

The city guys who go there for that walleye meal cause the lakes so close,Plus the lakeshore owners bring friends.What for? eyes sure we can get some for you to take home.

When the DNR tried to do any restrictions to smallies & eyes the resort owners said NO NO NO lets grow trophies and we'll get that crowd for the bass, the guides backed them, neither wanted eye restrictions.Then muskie Just on and on!! Lets keep limits at the max so the business,s can make a go of it.Who dug that hole? Where did the fish go??

[GravelBar]

Where did the fish go? Into nets and the 10 Walleye per day angling limit with no size restrictions for the tribe!!!!!!!! They are my equal and I am there equal. Everybody need to follow the same rules.

[Alagnak]

Lol. Is that like 'fresh' seafood here? It's only on the menu because half of the states population is from MN in the winter.

[Alagnak]

The nets the nets! But not the meat hungry walleye frenzied white guys. Lol

Do the math man. You can't make this up.

[GravelBar]

How many Walleyes get released from the nets? None. Talk about meat hungry!

[flamingo2014]

Sounds to me like there's a whole lotta ignorants, they obviously don't fish and have no clue about lake conditions. Think you might be a little more concerned if this was happening on your local body of water. Yes, there has been mismanagement, the DNR already admitted that. For those of us who live on the lake and want to see it thrive, this suit is needed for reasons that your fair wheather fishermen will not understand. The problem didn't just happen all of a sudden. Muskie numbers are also down, get your facts right before you flap your gumbs.

[Alagnak]

How many Walleyes get released from the nets? None. Talk about meat hungry!

Actually the majority of the fish that are too small and too large pass though or get away. There is different size mesh depending on target size. Just be happy they are only out during spawn compared to all the meat slobs gut hooking them all summer frying and giving away and illegally harvesting in the thousands of ice houses used all winter.

I've heard them all and so have you.

"I don't care about some dumb slot size"

"This ones hooked bad anyway"

" I didn't drive up here for two fish"

"I promised the wife a fish fry. I don't care if its not in the slot. When I finally get a fish through the hole it's dead and I don't care what size"

And my favorite which for all I know is a quote from you- "At least if I kill this one the Indians wont"

[169Sportsman]

Mille lacs seems to go in cycles of producing walleyes. And every time it is at a low people act as if it is the end of the world. Every time it is at a high people race there to take advantage of it. It is too close to the metro with too much pressure to consistently produce walleyes year after year. I am guessing many of you have never looked at the history of creel surveys on this lake so I attached a link. Like Alagnak said this doesn't take into account all the illegally harvested fish that we all know get taken. Some people won't be happy until it is stocked like a trout pond and they can always catch a limit. It's funny that I have read a few of these threads and I have yet to see an idea on how to better manage the lake. If netting wasn't allowed would it really solve the problem for good? I feel for the resorts but they need to take the good years with the bad much like a golf course knows that it is going to be slow in winter.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/aitkin/mille-lacs-creel.pdf

What a waste of tax payer money fighting a talk lawsuit! Their attorney even said that Mille Lacs is the most important ecosystem in mn. Give me a break!

[harvey lee]

Many reason ML's has issues and YES, netting is one of the larger issues.

Yes, Alagnak, I have heard of your list of excuses but not everyone follows those rules, really, very few.