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Dead walleyes and perch floating in Mille Lacs?


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A friend of a friend....was fishing perch lately and was not getting a bite. He dropped his camera down a hole and saw a bunch of dead perch floating around. He moved and drilled another hole and saw some walleyes floating also. They contacted the DNR and were told "They are looking into it" Possible poisioning.......anyone else heard this? He was on the East side, this was also checked with another seperate source who confirmed it also. Whats going on here? Anyone know any FACTS? The only one I know for sure is that there are dead fish floating..................should see them wash up in spring I guess? What have we been eating this year?

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My guess is they starved to death because of lack of forage. Just wait till this summer. If you think last year was bad with dead fish all over the lake it will be twice as bad this summer. I say open the lake to unlimited fishing for the first week in June! All those big fish need to be thined out. Its truely a crime by the DNR to set up the lake for a catostrophic collapse.

[This message has been edited by fishfearme (edited 04-06-2002).]

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Fish,
Why is this such a shock to you? How much handling do you think a walleye and perch can take? Just because they make it down the hole doesnt mean there going to live. Take a day and talk to the people that live on the big water from Malamo south or heck anywhere on the big pond they see hundreds of dead fish in the spring. Here is another shocker for you; after one of those fishing tourny's they have up there in the summer go to the side of the lake that the wind is blowing and look for the seagull's. When you arrive you will flip out to see the number of eyes floating belly up. Sorry you opened the door up for me to vent!

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SO YOU ARE SAYING ALL THE FISH THAT ARE CAUGHT DIE??????? SHOULD WE QUIT FISHING OR JUST NO CATCH AND RELEASE SINCE THEY DIE ANYWAY!!!!!!!!!!???????????


GOOD FISHING TO ALL,JUST MAKE SURE YOU DON'T "CATCH" ANY

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I've been on the lake for 30 years. There are always some dead fish on the lake. In the last two years the number of dead fish I run across is much larger than in the past. Even with less people on the lake the numbers of dead are increasing. Does anyone recall seeing alot of dead fish in 1992? Probably not because you could keep 14 - 20 inches and one over 20. Its too bad that the DNR has over regulated the lake. Enjoy it while it lasts, because I'm afraid it won't be this way much longer.

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St.Louis,
I'm 100% possitive that i never said quit fishing! What I am saying is that how many people are really cutting the line of there favorite lure when its sunk deep? How many people are letting up when they know the walleye on the line is in the slot? How many people know how much hand pressure it takes to hold a 5lb eye with one hand while your digging a hook out with the other? How many professional anglers are willing to loose any time with a fish that doesnt count as weight?

Run a few of those questions through your own head? I admit I am not perfect and things will happen. There is a solution in my mind but it is impossible to enforce. If you fish the big pond you keep the first 4 eyes you catch. When your done your done.

Once again honesty plays a factor with greed!

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I was reading an article on catch and let go.
I stated that 1-10 are going to die. No matter how well you take care of the fish. Last November i was up on the big pond and caught a 27 inch beauty. It had compleatly eaten my wally diver. I cut the hooks and only handled it with limited stress on the fish. we let it go it died. It sickened me Knowing that i had killed this fish and could not harvest it. It even sickens me more when I here some peoples opinions on this subject. For every 1 that dies 9 more live to be caught again.

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Alright....

Now I have some ammunition for the bass versus walleye argument that Minnesotans take part in.

Bass are much less likely to die when released (bigger mouth, less handling, less likely to swallow hook, etc.).

So let's allow open harvest of the walleye's on all of the Minnesota lakes and practice catch and release on the Bass.

Pretty soon the whole state will be nothing but a bucket-mouth factory. Who needs walleye anyway?

P.S. Please note the heavy tone of sarcasm with which this was written.

------------------
John K., a.k.a. wastewaterguru
Prior Lake, Minnesota

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Most of you guy's already know this stuff, but let's try to encourage others to catch and release, with giving the fish the best chance of surviving the experience; Play the fish quickly to avoid excessively stressing the fish which causes deadly lactic acid buildup. barbless hooks, simply pinch down the barb with a pliers or file it off, allows for a better hookset and easier realease. Circle hooks, gets them in the corner of the mouth every time, even with a slip bobber. Try to free the hook without lifting the fish from the water. Hold the fish with both hands, make sure to wet your hands before handling fish to preserve their natural slime layer. Under no circumstance allow fish to flop around in the bottom of the boat. On trophy or photo worthy fish, have the camera at hand and ready to go, make the CPR process happen in 30 seconds or less or forgo the photo. Don't stick your fingers under the gillplate to handle the fish, hold them gently but firmly with both hands. Support the fish in the water until it can take off under its own power. I am sure I am missing a few of the finer points of CPR, any other tips?

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you guys basically already said it, but i want to make it clear. The small slots on mille lacs cause a large catch and release rate. If the fish aren't handled properly, they're gonna croak. So since its the law to let them go, people need to make sure that they do it in the right manner. Yeah, sometimes its tough when the hook is burried, but we need to do everything in our power to try and get the fish to live.

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As much as I am against the Indians spearing and/or netting the lake, they have nothing to do with fish dieing after we release them. And the thoughts that we should keep everything, just because the fish won't live long anyway, because it will end up in a net in short order? That's ridiculous as well.

The Indians take a VERY small percentage of the overall fish population. Yes, any amount is too much as far as I'm concerned. But the chance that a fish you release will end up in one of their nets is not that great. The idea that we shouldn't catch and release on waters where Indians are netting is what WILL hurt the lake more than anything else, not the Indians.

Thinking like that is the same thing as saying because there are a few anglers that still live with the old belief that everything is for the table, anglers that don't understand the concept of catch and release, then nobody should catch and release. It's thinking like that, that will cause problems to lakes. The DNR might not manage our lakes perfectly. But for the most part, they do what they feel will be best for the fishery. They have more knowledge and information on these lakes than anyone else, and are the most informed to make a management decision on these lakes.

AWH

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In the May edition of Minnesota Sportsman there may be an answer to the die off.It contends these die offs are due to columnaris disease, a bacterial infection that occrurs in most freshwater species. It goes on to say this is a natually occurring disease with no known remedy, and is not harmful to humans. If anyone would like to read this report it begins on page 12.
Tight lines all!! & GOOD LUCK!!

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When people used to start bashing indians I didn't have much to say, but I am just finishing a twelve page report on the history of the lake. i used to be one of those guys who had nothing good to say about the indians, but now that I a little more about how things came to be, I don't blame them for anything anymore. maybe I should post the paper to inform indian haters. THE WAY I SEE IT, It's all our fault anyway. i'm open for criticism smile.gif

[This message has been edited by Bigguns3 (edited 04-15-2002).]

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Duckunlimited,

Just a question about one thing you said that I don't quite understand. You said that you would fish there but you won't because you don't want to give them any money? Mille Lacs is not a private body of water. If you are fishing Mille Lacs, you are not giving money to the Indians. I have fished the lake many times, and I have never given a dime to the Indians to do so.

The way I see it, if people refuse to fish Mille Lacs in protest to the spearing/netting that is going on, that does nothing. If you want to show your disapproval of what they do on Mille Lacs, don't frequent the Casino, or any other Indian run establishment.

Mille Lacs is and always will be an outstanding all around fishery. The Indians are not going to ruin the lake. When you're looking at a lake of 132,000+ acres, it's going to take a lot more to ruin a fishery of that nature than what the Indians are doing.

AWH

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I understand that both the DNR and the Indians work together to try to come up with a safe harvest limit. They are trying to manage something that many factors beyond their control have great influence on (like the weather). I don't like the slot limits, as I would at least like to keep a fish or two to eat. I do not envy their job - no matter what rules they come up with, someone will complain.
I am not against the Indians being able to harvest fish for personal use. I think everyone, regardless or race, should have that right. I am against ommercialization of the resource though. I just hope that they can find a happy balance, so everyone can catch a meal, or a trophy, and go home happy.
gte

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Bigguns3 I see that you know everthing about the situation and I would love for you to enlighten me with your ultimate wisdom. If you choose not to post it here my email is [email protected]. I look forward to your response.

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i'm still finishing up my research on my paper so i think I might wait on posting it. i personally learned a lot from my work I've done. i was able to go down to the new multi million dollar library at saint cloud state and bring all of treaties that were enforced through out the 200 years. You would be suprised how many catches there are in the treaties. I'm not sure if oscar was being sarcastic or not. My earlier post sounded kinda cocky. I don't know everything but i feel i know all the reasons as to why things are the way they are.

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Everyone that has contributed to the thread shopuld read Dick Sternbergs report in the Mille Lacs or Open Water Forum.

Bigguns,
Without the sarcasm that's dripping from oscar's request, I would be interested to see what you've written. Please e-mail me:
[email protected]

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all right everybodys gettin all up tight. I know its touchy. Sorry I ever opened my yap. When I said "our fault", I meant the U.S. government. You know, the one thats for the people, by the people. Sorry if I offended you. Theres to many who have strong feelings. I just thought that it was interesting that I was once a poorly informed Indian basher, and now understand why it is the way it is. I seem to think that a good portion of Indian bashers are unaware of what has taken place. I'm not refering to everyone. blush.gif

And no I'm not gonna send or post my paper anywhere. tongue.gif

[This message has been edited by Bigguns3 (edited 04-15-2002).]

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Bigguns3 I'm sorry to hear of your choice not to share your research with us, I was looking forward to reading it with an open mind. I will probably never know everthing, and as I learn I realize how little I know. I'm sure you invested alot of time and energy into your report and best of luck finishing it.

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awh im not trying to start anything but yes fishing there gives them money 1. if u own a ice house on mille lacs cost 1,000 dallars to keep it there for a year 2. im not sure but u fish on indian reservation and if full with indians so they own most places that u buys stuff so that goes towards them.3. guides. they get away with lots of stuff because they have to keep there tradition . i lived up north and walleye seson would be closed for us but not the indian they get to spear with no limites. im not sure about mille lacs but up on winne lake white people cant own land around that lake because indian wont let us. so thats why i disagree with almost everything they to.

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personally i have fished mille lacs nearly every weekend and holiday for the last 2 years, and i have fallen in love with the fishing. where else can i catch 50 walleye 25 smallies, 10 pound plus pike regularly, hit nice perch and an occasonal musky in one day? i'd like to know! anyone who says you don't fish mille lacs because you don't want to contribute to indians is a fool, your only hurting your self. i don't feel i've spent one dime that helped them. i personally think that the treaties are "our" fault. we made them but certainely the indiand no longer need these rights to prevent starvation, it is only greed. D-man also had a good point on another topic- what about the pre-anglo days on mille lacs when only a tiny percent of fish were harvested, how can we say now that there is too many big ones, i have to go with the cycle theory, yet i read an article in a magazine about an oldtimer who fished in the 1890's and he said he never got a walleye over 3 or 4 pounds so i guess i'm confused by that.by the way if i have to release every walleye on millelacs i don't care if that is what it takes for the kind of fishing we have on the big pond.

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Duckunlimited2002,

I will have to respectfully disagree with you.

1. if u own a ice house on mille lacs cost 1,000 dallars to keep it there for a year,

TRUE, but the money does not go to the Indians, it goes to whoever owns the resort. Mostly people like you and I

2. im not sure but u fish on indian reservation and if full with indians so they own most places that u buys stuff so that goes towards them.

FALSE. Reread the answer to response #1

3. guides. they get away with lots of stuff because they have to keep there tradition . i lived up north and walleye seson would be closed for us but not the indian they get to spear with no limites. im not sure about mille lacs but up on winne lake white people cant own land around that lake because indian wont let us. so thats why i disagree with almost everything they to.

FALSE. The guides that fish this lake play by the same rules as you and I. D-Man, SuperRon, and MuskieMan all abide by the rules of the DNR and all strongly promote CPR. This is how they make their living. If they didn't they would not be in business as long as they have been, or be in as great a demand as they are.

Just my .02

------------------
Paul
[email protected]

[This message has been edited by Pwaldow123 (edited 04-15-2002).]

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This is in response to avrg.joe's comments about the reason possibly being columnaris disease. I also read that article but is said that the disease doesn't become active until the water temps reach 55 degrees (which it won't be for some time yet) and the fish start schooling in the shallows.

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White men cannot own property around Winni?
I don't know about the rest of you, but I know quite a few white property owners on Winni.
Think before you speak my friend.

------------------
>"////=<
Gull Guide Service
fishingminnesota.com/gullguide
Brainerd-Mille Lacs-Willmar
Bemidji-Ottertail

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duckunlimited2002,

Pwaldow123 and GullGuide made most of the points I was going to make, so no need to repeat them. The only other thing I will add is this. If you're worried about spending money up there for fishing tackle, or whatever you might be spending, and worried that it's going to the Indians....spend your money before you get there. Pretty easy solution.

Like I said previously, I have fished the lake many times and have never given them a dime. The only places I have spent money are McDonald's, SA, and Holiday in Garrison. And Lundeen's on the south side of the lake. I would suggest you become educated on the statements you're making before you make them.

AWH

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I'm not going to make too many comments about the lake because my knowledge is limited and in fact I have never fished Mille Lacs.

But......there was a time and place for indian reservations and that time and place are long gone. The United States provides them land, a protected food source, national security, roads, etc, etc, etc. On top of that, the indians have casino income.

This is a country of diversity that is now able to accept minorities as our equals. The indian community needs to start paying taxes for the services provided by the US government.

This lake needs to managed for recreational fishing only....(not commercial fishing)

If the indian community wants to get into the commercial fishing business they can use their casino money and untaxed income and build some fish farms on the land that they didn't have to pay for.

I know what you're gonna say...."they didn't pay for!!" they "suffered" at the hands of white people...right?

Bull****!!! They didn't suffer, their ancestors did...

Some of my ancestors were killed by US forces during WWII in Germany......do I get free land from the government and untaxed income and "no limit fishing" on Mille Lacs.

I think not. So why should they?

What is the purpose of an indian reservation in todays terms? Can someone explain it to me?

...to keep a people secluded from the world and give them priveledges that by nature will add to the prejudice from the general population.

...to provide a people economic advantages that provide an impetus for complacency, unemployment, and poor education.

Sorry for rambling.


------------------
John K., a.k.a. wastewaterguru
Prior Lake, Minnesota

[This message has been edited by wastewaterguru (edited 04-16-2002).]

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i very much agree with wastewater and duckunlimited. they get away with to much bull****. the indians can win anything in court because they have a very good excuse. so i think the rest of u guys, you guys should think about it.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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