Trophy? we need the motivation

[Guest]

I would like to hear some of your guys' thoughts on what Mille Lacs does to the meaning of "trophy fish".
I recently caught the biggest walleye of my life, not to mention the biggest I have ever caught ice fishing (to many of you may not be much, but...). Now this fish didn't even reach 28" (a minimum on ML) it was ~27", I don't consider it a trophy fish, but in other lakes, it would be something special. I took a few pics, gave it a kiss and let him swim away without any thought that this fish could be on my wall- if it was from a different lake of course. There are big walleyes in ML, no doubt. But there are SO many other HUGE fish- of every species. It kinda ups ones personal ante for a trophy once they've spent time on the pond. Just the fish you see muskie fishing in ML makes me weak in the knees. From sumo perch to Football size smallmouth, Gator pike, and the Muskies-- words don't even do justice to those monsters. Many of you know what i'm talking about.

Lets hear some thoughts and stories of those giants, since catching them isn't so easy right now. We could use the motivation to sit out there on the temporarily dead sea.

It sounds bad, but I am starting to daydream about the open water...ahh to cast again...

mMh
make time for a little C&R

[This message has been edited by maniacMuskyhunter (edited 01-29-2003).]

[Guest]

I think fish become "trophies" when someone catches their personal best. However, you need to ask yourself if it is the best you will ever do? Should you be happy with a picture? Maybe have a graphite replica made?
Personally, I think Minnesota should develop more trophy lakes. Canada does this and people pay thousands of dollars to fish those lakes and not keep anything! Mille Lacs is becoming a trophy lake, not because the goal is to have people catch bigger fish, its set up to limit the poundage leaving the lake. I have been fortunate to have been able to fish with my sons and been able to watch them catch large fish, sm bass to muskies. I would like to see the avg. catch size increase, but that will mean more restrictions or more catch and release.