Creel Cenus

[kelly-p]

The DNR Creel Census is very important for the future health of the URL fisheries. An alarming number of wheelhouses are leaving URL and driving right by the Census clerk without stopping and providing the information needed such as hours fishing, number of fish caught, length of fish, etc, etc. I can think of only 2 reasons why they are not stopping. #1, they feel that they are "too busy". #2, they have illegal length walleyes or an over limit of walleyes. In either case I find it a little sad that so many fishermen do not care about the future of the URL fisheries.

[18 inch Crappie]

I wonder the same thing, the way the fish were biting I think many more walleye were taken then should have. Now with the 17" 3 fish slot I am sure people think well I took 4 18-20 last time I am going to this time also. Where is the DNR checking the landings and out on the ice? They should bring 10 DNR from all round the state and hit the lake hard on the weekends looking and stopping everyone. 2Cents

[fishing tech]

I am guessing #2 Kelly. Greed takes over and that in the end ruins it for everyone. DNR and or the state police at a few or all accesses a couple weekends or more a year would be fine with me. I love fishing URL for the action and would love to have it stay that way for my kids and grand kids to enjoy.

[kelly-p]

Quote:

Where is the DNR checking the landings and out on the ice?

The census clerk parks on the shoreline for 2 hours at one road taking information then moves to another road and sits for 2 hours taking information and then on to another road. A preplanned random pattern to get a good average. For example she will be on one road from 8am until 10AM on Friday, 2PM until 4PM on Saturday and 8PM until 10PM on Sunday. I always stop and talk when I see her whether I have been fishing or not. She has a great sense of humor and from talking to fishermen all day she has a wealth of information about what colors, what depths what times are working best. The last time I saw her working I had not been fishing but I did have about a 26 inch cloth lake trout potholder in my bucket. I hauled that thing around for a week waiting to see the look on her face.

[Fishalittle]

Wardens were on Hillman's road on Friday after new years checking random houses. Stopped by our house and got a fishing update and a nice teaching lesson for my girls on following the rules. Was a thorough check including measuring fish, license check and tip up check also.They were working in teams and were pleasant...thanked us for introducing the girls to fishing. Maybe if this creel survey drive by is a big issue there should be a warden in disguise a little further up the road checking out those that drove by. Not sure illegal length fish would be a reason to drive by as they have never asked to see our fish while surveying? I suppose those breaking rules won't take a chance?

[laker1]

It would be nice that anyone who will not volunteer for fisheries creel survey should be stopped shortly after by Conservation officers.

The people who don't want to cooperate or breaking the law our thumbing up their nose at the rest of us and don't care about the resource.

They will also be the first to complain if Red goes back to what it was a decade ago.

[BuckSutherland]

They will also be the first to complain if Red goes back to what it was a decade ago.

A lake full of MONSTER crappies???

In all seriousness the scarcity of resources and improvements in technology for hunting and fishing combined with instant communication will pressure resources even harder as time passes. I wouldnt mind seeing reduced bag limits and more ability to shorten or close season depending on pressure all across the state. Pretty sick watching 3-400 house on a hundred acre lake take anything that swims and leave the lake full of urine, trash, and puke.

[live4chrome]

What's a tip up check?

[Fishalittle]

Not really sure what he was looking for....walked to both and was close enough to identify they were setup with fish alarm transmitters and then poked and proded in a pile of snow my kids had piled up apparently looking for a "hidden" one also? The younger guy doing all the checking was very thorough! Unpacked all the fish packed in snow to measure and repacked them nicely too! Older gentleman in the house was more interested in talking with us about fishing and interacting with the kids, he checked our licenses.

[cookie129]

Nice

[BLACKJACK]

Maybe I'm being naive but maybe people don't realize that they're supposed to stop?? Does she have a sign that says 'Creel survey, please stop'? Is she waving people over? If not, how would I know that I should stop?? I passed a sheriff car on the way into work this morning, he was at a stop sign, should I have pulled over??

I think people are overreacting and jumping to conclusions.

[SaintPaulPaul]

I agree that the creel surveys are vital to interpreting the health of a fishery...I've always volunteered info when asked.

But I'm guessing some of these guys are blowing by the census taker because they may have had a few beers (or something else... ) on the ice and don't need someone dropping a dime and getting them stopped and or arrested further down the road...cell phones are pretty fast. I'm not advocating driving under the influence, just suggesting a reason for the apathy. Also, many people just don't trust government agencies meddling in their affairs, and that is certainly their right, at least in the US.

[Stcloudangler]

Maybe I'm being naive but maybe people don't realize that they're supposed to stop?? Does she have a sign that says 'Creel survey, please stop'? Is she waving people over? If not, how would I know that I should stop?? I passed a sheriff car on the way into work this morning, he was at a stop sign, should I have pulled over??

I think people are overreacting and jumping to conclusions.

I agree with this... there are no creel surveys in St. Cloud. How am I supposed to know what the operation looks like on the side of the road without a sign of some sort?

[Fishalittle]

Everyone I have come to has a nice orange cone out next to a sign that says "survey please stop" don't think that excuse flys fellas!

[DrStizo]

personally I always stop on the way out (nice to know how people are doing) and the way in (nice to let them know how I did). 9 out of 10 times the person is pleasant and just doing their job, and loves the outdoors like you and I.

I honestly don't think people blow it off because they are or did something illegal, its simply they feel they don't have to so they don't. You see it in all parts of life, from holding a door for the elderly, to walking by the salvation army ringers its a me me me world we live in and its not going to change.

[kelly-p]

Quote:

Does she have a sign that says 'Creel survey, please stop'?

Yes she does have a sign AND orange traffic cones.

Quote:

But I'm guessing some of these guys are blowing by the census taker because they may have had a few beers (or something else... ) on the ice and don't need someone dropping a dime and getting them stopped and or arrested further down the road...

She does NOTHING involved with enforcement even if she sees over length fish. Creel Census and Creel Census only.

[Reedo7]

I've stopped for her before, but last weekend I stopped, and she waved me through. I don't mind the survey or dnr checks at all, there are way too many game/meat hogs out there. I fish the lake every weekend, and even though I catch my limit each time, I don't keep it. A man can only eat so many fish.

[fiskyknut]

I'm pretty sure these creel survey's are voluntary vs. mandatory so it's not like folks are breaking any law/reg by not stopping. Creel folks here on the LOTW always ask if 'you've got the time' or 'don't mind' or sumtin along those lines. It takes maybe 10-15 minutes tops depending on who's doing it and how many fish they gotta measure. I've always taken the time to be interviewed myself except for once a couple summers back when I was indeed in a hurry and told the feller just that and he said no problem.

For sure a good tool for the DNR to use but iffin someone don't wanna stop for whatever the reason I don't think they really have to. The signs read... 'creel census, please stop', now if they read 'creel census, must stop' I reckon more folks would !!

On occasion we get Wardens checking folks at the access coming off and they do indeed make you stop. They usually have a county cop nearby for those who don't !!

[BigDogRob]

Hmm, I don't consider myself nieve, but I'venever seen this census person on the lake...I also, however would gladly stop...or offer up what we caught...we keep a "brag board" (gift for last Christmas) even though my daughter usually tops us on most every trip. Heck I'd even be willing to call in my catch and sizes if they need it!!! Thanks for the heads up Kelly P. I'll keep my eyes open a little better!

[morepower02]

Willing to call in your catch???? Any other rights you want to give up?

[pushbutton]

Willing to call in your catch???? Any other rights you want to give up?

Ultimately you do not have legally to stop, but as I understand there is not much as far national security issues, constitutional implications, or a slippery slope on the horizon..... if you do spill the beans on how your fishing trip went. This is a shared resource with another legal sovereign entity, and personally would rather take the high road and have "our side" be transparent. Can't imagine the outcry if the "other side" was not forthcoming. Sheesh.....it's a couple minutes out of our lives. The information is used to how to best manage this wonderful resource for all involved in the future....not just what you can get for yourself today.

[gunner55]

Well said pushbutton.

[BLACKJACK]

Yes she does have a sign AND orange traffic cones.

I stand corrected. Heading up to Red this weekend, I'll watch for her -- and her sign.

I'm with some of the others, the more enforcement, the more checking by wardens, the better off the resource will be. There will always be a few scoflaws that think they need to keep every fish they catch but seeing a few green uniforms and DNR trucks/boats will make them think twice.

[kelly-p]

Willing to call in your catch???? Any other rights you want to give up?

[morepower02]

“morepower” I realize that many fishermen do not care if URL crashes again. They will just move on to the next hot lake and crash that lake. BUT,,,, I feel that the majority of fishermen and the majority of people reading this Forum want to see URL remain a healthy fishery.

As do I. I'm all about Fallowing the DNR set rules. I would call in a catch if required but until that day happens sorry no.

[bturck]

here is my . make it an enforceable law that You Must Stop and comply with a creel census. Failure to do so would resukt in the census person writing down your veicle license number and guess what you get in the mail.

I truly believe that the VAST majority of fisher person will comply with a census person. he future of the lake depends on it and the future of the economic environment of this area depends on it. The numbers that Kellu alluded to are madnanimous and the lake is going to have a hard time producing those numbers year afer year. I don't think anyone wants to go theough the total loss od walleyes that was seen in the past. This is a tremendouse resource which ahs been revialized from total devastation to the walleye factory it is today. Thinking and planning ahead is so much better than looking back.

[BigDogRob]

Big deal, so some people don't mind being honest...some care about how a lake's ecosystem works or how to keep a fishery on the "good side" of a fish population...could you imagine how bad of a disarray this lake would be if it was 30'deep? How many fish would die due to pulling up to fast and actually giving a fish the "bends". I don't see how this lake can sustain the fishing that is going on right now! I do think that the DNR should be able to "lock down the lake... I do think that it should be equally locked in summer months and winter months though... if they have to shut it down from April to opener then also shut it down an equal time that summer... if people complain about it too bad... I know I've also talked to quite a few people who have opted out on LOW trips to head to URL instead... I know we may fish it out yet again, due to "human nature", but why can't we keep stocking them each year to help with the #'s? Maybe it won't work, but I think it should be a Standard to keep stocking for now to at least help keep fish in the lake. I would love to be able to sit in on some meetings about a proactive approach for URL. Either way, good luck to all in your future endeavors!!!

[lunker-1967]

I was up on URL about 10 days ago and seen their little check point and here are my thoughts.

1. I never stopped for their survey because I was not sure what it was. We were doing NOTHING illegal and had NOTHING to hide. The 2 of us had legal length fish and stopped short of our limit due to we figured we had enough fish to eat once we got home. I am sure there are plenty rule breakers on the ice though.

2. If they were so concerned about the state of the fishery they would have gotten out of their little hut and stopped us to ask if we would participate or just ask us a few questions as we drove off. Besides they were sitting in an area that would have gotten bottle necked up if people would have stopped. They want the info--they need to put forth the effort for collection of data, not me. Before I get jumped about that it's too cold and windy for them to be outside, there are lots of us that work outside year round no matter the conditions.

3. I have a hard time believing that fishing on only 1/3 of the lake is going to "fish it out". Theoretically 2/3 of fish don't even see a lure much less get caught. Yes the crappies are mostly gone, but it was never managed to be a crappie fishery. Also, there were numerous factors involved in the large Crappie population up rise and decline and fishing was only part of the equation. I believe that over harvest of the breeder Walleyes and wanton waste during all times of the year on the other side is more of an issue, but we will never hear anything about that.

4. One thing is for sure, if the MN DNR (Do Nothing Right) or other Govt agencies get to involved it will get completely messed up (i.e. Mille Lacs). I am not saying for the DNR to go away completely but they need to use some common sense instead of the knee jerk reactions that usually prevail. I think the MN DNR should take numerous pages out of the SD DNR play book. Why are SD fisheries thriving and ours in most cases are failing. Believe me when I say that their lakes are getting pounded just as hard as ours and from lots of outsiders.

5. I find it totally sickening to see people make sure they get their limit and see them take it off the lake in a minnow bucket. The MN DNR needs to implement a minimum size limit. It's pretty sad, but lots of spearing decoys are considerably bigger than some of the fish they are taking home. They should buy a few of them and would have more meat.

I am sure there are many people that will disagree with me and that's their opinion, just as this is mine. Let the rebuttals begin.

Good Fishing!

[bturck]

lunker 1967; good points

[kfk]

So many poor excuses why not to participate in a creel survey!

If you have a better way to get the information that the DNR tries to get from creel surveys, I'd like to hear it. They need useful information to make their management decisions to help you, the anglers, have better fishing.

If you have better ideas, we'd all like to hear them.