Jump to content
  • GUESTS

    If You  want access  to member only forums on FM, You will need to Sign-in or  Sign-Up now .

    This box will disappear once you are signed in as a member.

Recommended Posts

Posted

A group of us fish using frozen Ciscoes for bait.  The last couple of year it has been a scramble to find these as our supplier for the last 30 years cannot get any.  This year we have not been able to find.  Any ideas?

Posted

I don't know what happened with Great Outdoors in Ely.   He had ciscoes, but there was a kerfluffle with the government.   

 

Anybody know what happened? 

Posted

Yeah they were seised because they were illegally netted in the BWCA if I recall correctly. Heres the link to the thread. 

 

Posted

It was "alleged" that they were illegally caught in the BWCA! 

No charges have been filed to date as far as I have heard!

Cliff

  • Thumbs Up 1
Posted

The only ciscoes I found in NE MN last winter were small, really stinky and over priced.  They were brought in to replace the stock from the BWCAW after they were seized.  I wouldn't buy them again.

 

The second trip up I was pleasantly surprised to find large smelt at the Y Store by Vermilion and medium smelt had taken the place of the stinky ciscoes in Ely.

 

I haven't found ANY good frozen bait south of, say, Grand Rapids since the ice season before last.  If someone wants to identify a source, I'm all eyes and ears too.

Posted

I have seen good bait sized frozen whole fish of some kind in the freezer at a local asian grocery store.   

 

Might be Sardines or Anchovies.   Look around various grocery stores.   Or fish markets if you are in the Cities or maybe Duluth.

 

On the other hand you would have to ask DNR if they are legal.  You can eat them, but I don't know about using for bait.  

Posted
9 hours ago, delcecchi said:

I have seen good bait sized frozen whole fish of some kind in the freezer at a local asian grocery store.   

 

Might be Sardines or Anchovies.   Look around various grocery stores.   Or fish markets if you are in the Cities or maybe Duluth.

 

On the other hand you would have to ask DNR if they are legal.  You can eat them, but I don't know about using for bait.  

 

You have to get a slip from the seller stating those fish are legal for bait and keep it with you as long as you have the bait on the water/ice.  If they don't have a slip (you have to ask for it), you can't use it.  I learned this when buying hooligans from Morey's.  Hooligans are ocean run smelt.  Last ice season they weren't carrying them anymore or selling anything as bait due to new laws making it too complicated and risky.  Not worth it.

 

Any frozen whole bait has to state it's been tested for VHS on the label or you need the slip and the receipt with you all the time.

 

I have the impression the DNR really wants to do away with the whole frozen bait market.  I also think the Cisco seizure in Ely was a part of that, no matter who was involved.  Too many details that don't line up with a clean investigation on the Authorities' parts.  I'm usually on the side of Law Enforcement but this case is sloppy at best.

  • 2 months later...
Posted

Wanderer ,I believe Ely seizure was something to do with the BWCA . Lots of articles in newspaper .Some law about no commercial activity ( an active viable fishery) in side of park unless it enhances park like canoe rentals ect.... They were trying to stop Fishery for last number of years. I believe DNR does not want to do away with Frozen Bait Market , they just don't want fish from the Great Lakes or other contaminated areas to bring diesese to inland lakes.  If fish does not have a VHS Certification Number on its package , I would not be using it for bait.  Grocery store stuff totally Illegal ...  I emailed a Bait Company that has VHS Certified Smelt and Alewifes   [email protected]     They gave me a list of stores that carry their products ... Save hunting around for Legal Bait  

Hope this Helps

  • Thumbs Up 2
  • 3 months later...

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.
Note: Your post will require moderator approval before it will be visible.

Guest
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Restore formatting

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.



  • Similar Content

  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • monstermoose78
      Ok the ice was 15-16 inches and less than 2 inches of snow. It’s was -15 this morning and the weekend looks to be cold again. The fish were there but not biting with change in weather. 
    • Dash 1
      I guess the vikings are a lot like fishing.  Very entertaining but frustrating at times. I've probably been cheering the vikings for 50 plus years  that i can remember and once again it's all about (there's always next year).  
    • Dash 1
      I remember Jeno's boxed pizza years ago.  Mom made it every Saturday night while dad and I watched All Star Wrestling.  
    • smurfy
      Chef boyardee box pizza. Good stuff 
    • smurfy
    • leech~~
      Smurf, still trying to get his lure jigging down when using the camera!  🤭   https://www.facebook.com/reel/517510734635573
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore... Ice fishing is going great on the south shore of Lake of the Woods, with resorts and outfitters reporting thickening ice conditions with two feet of ice in some areas.  Many ice roads are now open to 1 ton vehicles pulling a wheelhouse.  Every road has different weight limits, check with each resort for details before traveling up and out on the ice.      Some good fishing this past week.  As a rule, fishing activity is happening in 28 - 32 feet of water.  Resorts do just about everything they can to get customers on fish and this past week, some resorts made some long runs, resetting fish houses in new areas miles off shore.  Most are reporting good fishing as a rule.     It is common to sort through some small walleyes and saugers to get your keepers on LOW.  Naturally, some big fish are showing up, especially in deeper water.  In addition, this has been a very good year for jumbo perch with good numbers being caught.  Other fish in the mix are eelpout (burbot), pike, tullibees and an occasional sturgeon.      Anglers are using the one-two punch of jigging in one hole and deadsticking the second hole. In the jigging hole, a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head or tail in gold / pink, gold / glow red, glow white / pink, or Wonder Bread have worked well.     Especially in the deeper water, some anglers are finding success on rippin raps or using jigging spoons with a rattle as well.     On the deadstick, a small jig with a live minnow hooked behind the dorsal fin set 6 inches - a foot off of the bottom is working well.  One day the jigging line catches most of the fish, the other day a deadstick is hot.     Electronics are very helpful to see suspended fish, know when fish are coming through and adjust your presentation to the mood of each fish.  Most resorts, outfitters and bait shops in the area rent electronics by the day.   On the Rainy River... The Rainy River is still producing some nice walleyes and saugers, primarily in the mornings and evenings.  A jig and minnow working well.   Catch-and-release sturgeon fishing continues to be good for those targeting them.  An oversized hole, or three holes drilled together, with nightcrawlers or frozen emerald shiners on a sturgeon rig fished on the bottom are what anglers are using.     Ice conditions on the river can vary significantly due to the current. To stay safe and maximize success, always work with a local resort or outfitter familiar with river conditions.    Up at the NW Angle... Ice fishing continues to be very good up at the Northwest Angle. Resorts have fish houses set up on various pieces of structure as well as adjacent to structure in deep mud.  A consistent mix of walleyes, saugers, jumbo perch, pike and tullibees in the mix.     Shallow structure is best right away in the morning and as the sun starts going down in the late afternoon.  Mud is more of a slower bite but all day.   The ice road from Jerry's on the mainland (Angle Inlet, MN) to island resorts (as of this past week) was open to 1 ton vehicles.  Guests drive right to their island resort after picking up a road pass at Jerry's or Point North Services.  Venmo is also available at all resorts.  Work through your resort for specifics.   Ice fishing is in full swing across Lake of the Woods and there are openings for lodging, fish house rentals, sleeper fish house rentals and meal plans across the area.  Ice fishing is extended on LOW with fish houses allowed on the ice through March 31st, walleye / sauger season open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes.  
    • Brianf.
      From your fingertips to God's ears...  Finally got some snow!   Several inches of new snow fell before and during the weekend.  Sunday eve when we left, the high winds had already begun to create some drifting on the lake.  It was fun riding for sure.  Lots of folks on the lake this past weekend too.  We fueled up the sleds at Shamrock and saw as many people fishing in that area as I've ever seen in the Winter on Lake Vermilion.     Our weekend results were decent.  Jeff and I and a buddy caught probably 50 walleyes between the three of us, mostly fishing a jig/plastics with our three biggest being 24", 25", and 25.5".  We also got one large pike of unknown length.  During the midday on Sunday, we targeted whitefish and Jeff managed one big one.  We released all of our fish, except for three small walleyes that our buddy wanted to bring home for a meal.  Definitely a fun weekend on Lake V!   
    • leech~~
      The Vikings are the Vikings so it's nothing new.  It is kind of sad that Darnold's off season stock is now going to drop like a rock after these last two games. It kind of shows he's not a big game guy.  🤔
    • smurfy
      I'm blaming leech... his food selection has been lacking game days recently  🤣
×
×
  • Create New...

Important Information

By using this site, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. We have placed cookies on your device to help make this website better. You can adjust your cookie settings, otherwise we'll assume you're okay to continue.