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Star Trib - 7/14/02


EconGuy

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Blaze,
I read the article and maybe it is just my paranoia but there were three statements by the DNR that have me worried. First, he said that the this year's quota will be exceeded so next year's sports fishing allowance will have to be reduced. Second, he couldn't imagine going to a smaller slot. Third (and this is what scares me) although the DNR would not like to "restrict access to the lake" it was an option. It seems to me that it may be the only option especially if the calculated mortality rate for even catch and release exceeded the quota.
EconGuy

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You notice in the article how much time he spends defending the DNR's position and saying how wrong the the former DNR biologist is in his predictions of a population crash. He dismissed the notion that the crash of the perch and tullibee population could cause a crash in the walleye population. I kinda remember in biology class some idea of a thing called the predator/prey relationship. If it's basic enough for high school biology, how come our vaunted DNR can't see it. How about looking at other options bud? I hope I'm wrong about the way the future of the lake looks but it seems the evidence is pretty obvious.

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I must say that the DNR is starting to scare the crap out of me. After reading their responses to the questions, it sounds like they would be content to wait and see until the lake crashes, or shut off fishing completely. I'm curious as to where the joint management of this lake comes in. What are the Indian tribes views on this, and do they even care? What role do they play in managing this lake, or do they just harvest out of it? The evidence of what may happen to this lake seems very compelling. Sure it's great fishing right now, but wait a year, or two.

Good Luck,
Rusty

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I just came back from Mille Lacs and noticed many floating dead fish. However they were mostly tulibee. I think people incorrectly assume that a floating dead fish on Mille Lacs is a walleye. I personally inspected upwards of 30 fish and 70 percent were tulibee. There are dead walleyes on Mille Lacs but there were also dead carp, eel pout, and perch. I thought you would all like to know.

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  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

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