New Regulations

[bassNspear]

[iland99]

Actually that graphic is outdated, the limit will be 3 fish this year, not four!

http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2014/11/17/u...-winter-season/

[BuckSutherland]

Maybe the guys running the lake could swing over and help the guys trying to run the state's deer herd. Sounds like an appropriate step to ensure the lake stays healthy and top notch. Meathogs are gonna whine.

[Getanet]

That does it, I'm cancelling my reservations!

On the bright side, it just got to be one fish easier to brag to my wife I caught a limit of walleye.

[CANOPY SAM]

Getanet. That's funny!

I was wondering if they were planning to drop the allowable harvest. Thanks for the "up-to-date" up date!

[bturck]

considering the increase in fishing pressure the past few years this was bound to happen. its a tremendous fishery and needs to be maintained. if this is what it takes, so be it

[fishing tech]

Makes it a tough call to drive 300 miles to come home with 3 walleyes. I am fine with that. It more about spending time with friends and making it an adventure to find big fish.

[Fishalittle]

I found it interesting that the date didn't get moved up from Dec. 1st to Nov. 15th with the early ice this year. I would expect a huge increase in traffic through Bemidji and surrounding areas for the next 2 weeks....everybody trying to cash in on that extra fish and 3 inches!

[harvey lee]

For me, the limit could go to zero. I enjoy have the opportunity to go to URL and have a 30-40 fish day on the ice whether I can keep one or not.

[bturck]

our first trip thisb year 12/26 will be great no matter the limit. my oldest and youngest son plus my 6 year old graddaughter, who can't get enough of fishing. to see her eyes light up when she ices that first walleye will be well worth the price of adnmission. spending the night in the sleeper at Beacon Harbor and seeing the sun rise in the morning ove rthe lake is going to be a great time.......

[island guy]

Good move!

[Stcloudangler]

Bill, how long are you staying up there? I have a sleeper rented through john on the 27th and 28th!

[bturck]

Stcloudangler: just one day...check at 1p on the 26th and check out 1100a on the 27th. Just an over nighter

[LunkerLover84]

Going up with a group of buddies mid Dec. First time on URL for most of us and I'm A-OK with this change. I love the taste of a succulent walleye just as much as the next guy, but just to be able to experiece the legend that this lake is becoming without keeping a few extra fish will make it well worth the 8 hour jaunt from Mankato.

This lake has got to be considered one of the nations(if not the worlds) best walleye fishery right now. I'm sure the DNR by making this change is thinking the same thing. Great move in my eyes!

[Xplorer]

Here is what prompted the slot size and number reduction. Look at the December numbers of pounds taken the last two years (the only two the DNR opened the slot up to 20-26 for winter since re-opening) Then look at this past June.

http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/bemidji/upperred-walleye-harvest.pdf

Also notice that the harvest for 2014 (231,000 pounds) is 63000 over the safe allowable harvest, and is by my calculations, about 9000 pounds short of the point where the DNR would shut the states part of the lake down to all fishing (the emergency closure goes into effect if the harvest hits 5 pounds per acre, and with the state half of the lake being @ 48000 acres, 48000 x 5 = 240000 pounds).

I'll be up at Beacon Dec 29-31 with my 12 year old (his 6th year on Red) and a friend of his and his younger brother. Neither has stayed in a sleeper before so it should be good for a few laughs. When I told them we drove the truck out to our house their eyes got really big

[RiverChuckNorris]

I'm glad they're being pro-active to maintain what has become (again) a great walleye fishery. I applaud the 3 fish limit but am concerned over reducing the slot to 17". Isn't this what they did on ML and the concentrated harvest of smaller walleyes created a huge year class gap/contributed to where ML is at now?

[leech~~]

I'm glad they're being pro-active to maintain what has become (again) a great walleye fishery. I applaud the 3 fish limit but am concerned over reducing the slot to 17". Isn't this what they did on ML and the concentrated harvest of smaller walleyes created a huge year class gap/contributed to where ML is at now?

So is the netting on the other 3/4's of the two lakes being adjusted as well to save the fishery?

[otis]

Doubtful. So crazy that they think that has no affect on the fish populations. Huge netting operations are ok. 1 extra fish from a single person using line and hook? Not ok. Makes sense.

[BrdHunter01]

I'm glad they're being pro-active to maintain what has become (again) a great walleye fishery. I applaud the 3 fish limit but am concerned over reducing the slot to 17". Isn't this what they did on ML and the concentrated harvest of smaller walleyes created a huge year class gap/contributed to where ML is at now?

My thoughts exactly. Mille Lacs isn't the only lake either. Winni and Vermilion have similar problems. I tried reitterating this on another site to no evail.

I don't know why the DNR continues with the same failed walleye management strategy.

[RiverChuckNorris]

So is the netting on the other 3/4's of the two lakes being adjusted as well to save the fishery?

Probably not leech, but we aren't going to be able to control/affect that, at least in the short-term. I'm really not looking to retread the tired netting topic either. Not justifying anything nor "giving up", just trying to focus on, and get other's opinions on, what is manageable THIS YEAR.

[leech~~]

Wow, yippy the DNR is making a great move to save the lake!

Mean while no concessions are made on the other end of the lakes.

It should read "World Famous Red lake Walleye" provided by the tax payers of Minnesota!

RED LAKE FISHERY IS YOUR BEST SOURCE FOR DELICIOUS FRESH WATER FISH

Fresh Walleye, Perch and more are caught daily, year round, exclusively on Red Lake, the center of Tribal Life.

All fish sold here are wild-caught by hand, by Red Lake Tribal Members.

All proceeds come right back to the reservation and benefit its economic growth.

[pushbutton]

Leech....if you want to tag along next trip up there, your more than welcome. I'll show you how to catch some fish so you won't have to buy them ....could just be your vex though

[Fishalittle]

Don't you get it....the tribe has set quotas too. They just aren't exceeding theirs. We are or are real close. To the others that think one fish doesn't matter...when you have 10,000 people fishing that's 10,000 fish...pretty sure it does matter! Be happy they are monitoring the lake so it continues to be a AWESOME fishery.

I guess I wonder about the age class issue too but have to hope/think that is at least being watched now with what happened in other places. Learn from other mistakes sure seems to be logical?

If you don't like the rules go fish somewhere else....then you can keep all 4 fish you might catch in 24 hours... I will enjoy the lake with my family and get a bonus meal or two as an extra prize! Love watching a 5 year olds eyes light up as we actually catch fish! Not just sit and wait for a 1/2 hour bite that may or may not happen!

[CANOPY SAM]

Honestly guys, Upper Red Lake walleye fishing is arguably the EASIEST walleye fishing you will find ANYWHERE in the world. If you aren't consistently catching nice fish out there something is terribly wrong.

We need to respect the lake, respect the laws, and respect the people who are looking out for the future of this amazing fishery. Three fish per day, per person is more then enough for a great meal each day while you are there, and an opportunity to take 6 nice fillets home on your last day of fishing!

If that's not enough, then you have thousands of other lakes in Minnesota to go fish for "more". Personally, I'm thrilled to see the proactive, forward thinking of everyone involved in the conservation of this fantastic resource.

It would be nothing short of idiotic to repeat the mistakes that were made in the past, and allow EVERYONE to overfish this lake. With the people monitoring this fishery now, I trust we can rest assured this won't ever happen again, and am extremely thankful for all of their hard work and dedication to the future of our lake.

[leech~~]

Don't you get it....the tribe has set quotas too.

Oh I think I Get-It! Mille Lacs had tribe set quotas too. How's that working out?

[Fishalittle]

AAAAHHH but I think the difference is the red lake band actually has good input with the state on set limits and how red is doing. Have you ever read the minutes from an advisory board meeting or bothered to listen to those that reported on it? Mille Lacs is a different beast with not quite the investment on the native side....

Think what you want...if you don't like it fish somewhere else.

[leech~~]

AAAAHHH but I think the difference is the red lake band actually has good input with the state on set limits and how red is doing. Have you ever read the minutes from an advisory board meeting or bothered to listen to those that reported on it? Mille Lacs is a different beast with not quite the investment on the native side....

Think what you want...if you don't like it fish somewhere else.

AAAAHH, so in the same state the BIA and DNR treat different bands, differently? Think what you want....

[bturck]

i realize harvest numbers are very important in setting limits, slots etc. i also realize it is not an exact science, however how close can it really be to actuality? i have fished Red several times per year for the past 5 years, this year being the 6th. i have encountered a DNR person once in regards to my fishing activity. so how about what i did or didn't catch on the rest fo the trips???? my intention here is by no means to start a sh*t storm of controversay, it is intended as a meaningful question only.

we have at this time 3 trips booked with Beacon Harbor and 1 less fish per person is not going to change that......just curious as to the formula.......

[kelly-p]

Quote:

So is the netting on the other 3/4's of the two lakes being adjusted as well to save the fishery?

The Red lake Band did not exceed their Safe Harvest Range. We (Sportfishermen) exceeded our Safe Harvest Range for the State waters by a long, long ways.

From the press release.

Quote:

"More restrictive walleye regulations are not an indication of any biological problems with the walleye population on Upper Red Lake," he said in a release. "The current walleye fishery is in excellent shape, but the great fishing has attracted considerably more angling pressure, which resulted in walleye harvest exceeding the safe harvest range for the first time since walleye angling reopened in 2006."

The regulations "had full support" from the Upper Red Lake Citizen Advisory Committee, the release said.

[Boar]

Im still going to red till it closes, last year was my first year ther an it beat the last ten on LOW. watching my family pull up beutiful fish thru out the day, stumbling around looking for what hole just rattle at 11/12/2/3 oclock in mornigning, having a pike stip ur rattle reel before you can get to it, and my personal fave, bringing our fish to JR's for fish an fries for five bucks and watching the zoo come to life after hours. Just a blast. one fish less and a few iches short, whoppie doo. its an awsome fishery and its awsome its being pertected.