RUkiddingMe-Lake Mary

[Big Bobber]

I also have fished Lake Mary on occassion, and have caught Northern Pike up to 13 pounds from this Lake. Granted, most of the Northern are small, but I usually manage to catch a few over 5lbs each trip. Last fall I caught 3 over 5 lbs on consecutive casts. In addition to the 13 pounder, I have 2 ten pounders, and an eight pounder. All of these were caught in the last few years.

[RuKiddingMe]

Ok I stand corrected, I was using personal experiences, it's just so irratating to me when the lake associations have the ability to dictate what goes on with particular bodies of water. All decisions having the do with the fishery and the involved fish should be left to the DNR, I mean after all they are the Biologists here.

I was chatting with my dad about this subject last night (he had pointed out I was being one-sided, I think he maybe right), he's been fishing Mary since the early 60's, he said they used to get some BIG northern's out of there, now there just seems to be little hammer handles in there, not saying they aren't any big ones anymore, but from what I recall even the DNR has stated there is a genetically stunted strain of northern in Mary. I really only fish Mary for the Walleyes and Crappies (nice BIG slabs in there), but I'll tell yeah what, I would love to pull up some BIG northerns out of there, if you would like to share some secret spots/techniques with Mr. Open-Mouth Incert-Foot (Me) it would be greatly appreciated.

[Big Bobber]

Actually, I agree with you. There are some good sized Northern Pike in the lake, but you need to work for them. At one time the DNR had removed some Northerns from the lake, but it did not really seem to have much of an effect on the quality. There are some really nice slab Crappies in the lake, but it seems that I am usually there at the wrong time of the year, usually a week early or a week late. Mary is a good lake, but you had better know how to fish her. I have seen a lot of people come up with empty nets.

[maxx rpm]

I really dont think it is fair to say that a lake owner association should have no say in things on the lake. Not the only say, but some input. You may not realize this, but the dnr has little to do with policies. Policies are made for them by the legislature, by people who may have zero knowledge about the subject. Many do, but a lot dont. I would personally guess that the mn dnr does have biologists, but i always see little or no proof of this. From what i see, it is a lot of just guessing, and "lets try this and wait ten years and see if it improves". There have been experimental lakes for many years, yet i never hear about any benefits of these programs, perhaps i am just not looking in the right areas.
So, maybe the dnr isnt allowed to do their job, or a lack of direction or talent, no idea exactly where the problem is, although i wish they could get a good study plan in place.

For not enough big pike, seems funny as they are caught every year, or a lot of people are raising them in a huge fish tank at home. I have a horrible time trying to educate my father-in-law about todays fishing. He also fished the shorelines for years, and believes that is where to fish. Like fishing in a moat around the castle, but the big fish are like the crown jewel inside the castle, you have to fish differently today than 20 years ago. That is what makes it fishing and not catching. Fish are out there for those that work for them, use the technology, and use a different mind set. If i hear "northerns are caught in xxxx bay", i will go to another bay and try to get some hook ups. It is a great reward to find your own spots and methods. I fish best when i fish alone, try untraditional methods. I can fish for crappies, and catch a lot of small ones, and some days that is fine. Other times, i will leave that area or technique and do something else. It may take a while to find them using this different stategy, but they are bigger and makes me happy when i find them. Fishing today is all in the mind. Think you will catch fish, and you greatly increase your odds. Use patience, yet learn to know when to move. Give the fish what they want, not only what you believe that they want...

[Big Bobber]

RUkiddingME-if you would like to share your e-mail address with me, we could compare info about Lake Mary. I could tell you what little I know about N. Pike on Mary, and you could share some info about finding the elusive Crappies.