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

We recently returned from our annual trip to Vermillion (10th-17th). We stayed on the EAST end at pine trees resort. Nice little resort, but in a bad location for getting to the fish. The bass were really on the bite all week long. We caught them at will wether fishing for them or Walleye. We had alot of fun with them. The Walleye were really slow. We worked hard every day for just a handful of fish and the ones we did catch fell into the slot! On the 15th and 16th we finally got into some good walleye action when they moved up on several spots we fish. We could not keep many of them though, because they fell between 17 1/2 and 25 inches. I'm not sure about the rest of you guys, but the fish we had to keep under this new slot we would have never kept in the past. It was down right frustrating to set the hook and know immediately you could not keep the 2 pound walleye on the other end. Also on the other end of the spectrum we would never have considered keeping a 26+ inch fish, but now we will. In my opinion a walleye doesn't even get to respectable size until 17 inches and 17-20inches is a good eater. I can see resorts loosing a whole lot of people like us do this slot. We still enjoy catching the nice walleye, but when you know you can not keep a decent fish it really takes a little away from the experience. Throw the raising gas prices into it and alot of people are going to stop hauling the boat and then burning all the gas on the lake as well. I understand about protecting the fishery, but if you can't keep any respectable fish when you do go out, then what is the purpose of having such a great fishery. Walleye are not a strictly catch and release type fish in my book. They are too good eating for That. I also got to believe that most of the old salt type locals we see trolling around can not be happy with the slot and I speculate that many individuals are not following the slot. I have no knowledge of this, just my opinion based on my frustration of 1 week of fishing. We strictly obeyed all of the new regulations and immediately released several right at 17. Sorry about the long post and the lack of my politicaly correct stance, but I really think this slot sucks.

Posted

where on the east end is Pine Tree resort?? And why is it bad for getting to the fish?? Just curious..

Posted

It is in the very back of the bay that lays between daisy and pike. The resort is on the South side of birch point. We mostly fish in frazier bay between moccasin point and gold island area.This bay is kinda structureless compared to many others in the area. For us it is a bad location. For others it may be great.

Posted

That slot is typical throughout the state. A lot of the major lakes have a slot and I would guess that more will incorporate a slot as time goes on.

On most of the lakes around here a 17+" fish is going to be a breeding female and I personally think throwing them back is a good thing. We were camping for a few days on the west end and we threw back fish that size with smiles on our faces. But that I just what I believe.

Posted

I stongly second UpNorth Plenty of 14" walleyes in the lake to eat. 17" fish are our future. Results from other slot lakes lead me to believe we will release more fish in the future. To me that is good news,not bad

Posted

Is putting food on the table the only reason you fish? I can get plenty of fish at the grocery store and spend a lot less than I do just for gas not to mention my boat, insurance tackle etc.

If the slot limit works, and it should if fishermen follow the rules, you'll find walleye fishing will be a lot better on Vermilion than it ever has. To me, that's a lot more important than fish in my freezer.

Catch & release has made fishing for musky, bass and trout better than it's ever been. I think it will do wonders for the walleye too.

Posted

ooohhh the slot debate. I personally have a 17" max if not stomach hooked release in my boat regardless of where I fish. You asked the question sooooo, IMO anything above that is to thick for the pan. I get a big rush of fooling anything bigger to bite and letting her go than eating them.

Posted

I'll go along with up north and mjgrose on this. I rearely, if ever kept a fish that was mcuh longer than 17" as it was. You can almost guarantee that it's a breeding female at that length, and I'd rather have her around to make more little walleyes than to fill my stomach for one meal. I've always felt that 13"-15" is about the perfect eating size, and I don't even think about keeping something over 20" unless it's so deeply hooked that survival isn't going to happen.

In some ways, I think that the slot has created a mentality in some people that they'll keep just about anything that's under 17", as long as it's a walleye... I don't get that either.

I guess if something that will make a very good fishery into a truly great fishery keeps some folks away, then they most likely were only fishing it becasue it was the last of the big lakes to have a slot. If you like to fish on Vermilion, enjoy the peace and quiet, don't let things like slots, weather,etc. that you have no control over bother you, and enjoy the fishing.

If it's all about keeping your limit on a daily basis, then maybe another lake will fit your wants better?

Posted

I believe that resort is on Big Bay. You can catch a fish or two there-eaters and bigger.

Posted

Ahhhhhhhh..the slot! My favorite subject wink.gifI'm with you caribou and to go further, I find all this "I throw back everything 17inch and over anyway" crap absolutely hilarious laugh.gif

It seems like such a short time ago, the majority of posts were complaining about toooooooo small walleyes! Now, they're tooooooo BIG walleyes. How entertaining confused.gif

Posted

Quote:

I also got to believe that most of the old salt type locals we see trolling around can not be happy with the slot and I speculate that many individuals are not following the slot. I have no knowledge of this, just my opinion based on my frustration of 1 week of fishing. We strictly obeyed all of the new regulations and immediately released several right at 17. Sorry about the long post and the lack of my politicaly correct stance, but I really think this slot sucks.


From what I saw/know/heard people are obeying the slot very well. Which is GREAT.

Would it be fun for you to be fishing and watching for the conservation officer constantly because you were POACHING 17.5" walleye to eat? Doesn't sound like a good time to me.

Posted

I'm headed up the the Big V in a few hours, any word on the bite. I see that Cliff has said it has picked back up again with the mayfly hatch. I am in the Frazier Bay/Breezy Point area- is the bite still on?

Slot- I think I have stated my position a few times on here with this, but I still hate the fact that you HAVE to throw back everything 17-26. I still think it should be ONE keeper over 17. Allows some leeway for measuring, gut hooks, deepwater fish, fish attacked by muskie (has happened a bunch of times to me this year) and allows for someone who has a slow day of fishing to keep one bigger fish if they so choose. I don't think I have ever kept anything over the 17/18 inch mark from Vermilion- but in the past a few guys I fish with have. I also think we should start looking at a low end slot, as I saw many, many stringers on opening weekend with 8-10 inch fish on them. how about a 4 fish limit, one over 17, one under 12? That leaves 12.0001-16.999. I know we caught a TON of fish right at 12 1/2 this spring. A little on the small side, but still not a bad eater. I always try to keep it in the 14-16 range personally, but this would leave a little bit for everyone's taste.

Posted

Quote:

Ahhhhhhhh..the slot! My favorite subject
wink.gif
I'm with you caribou and to go further, I find all this "I throw back everything 17inch and over anyway" crap absolutely hilarious
laugh.gif

It seems like such a short time ago, the majority of posts were complaining about toooooooo small walleyes! Now, they're tooooooo BIG walleyes. How entertaining
confused.gif


I know and have fished with all of the guys who stated that they do not keep any walleyes over 17 inches anyway. They are not lying about that, it is a fact!

I also have to say that I would much rather eat walleyes in the 13" to 15 " range.

There are plenty of them to be had if you do not target only the larger walleyes.

Cliff

Posted

If I only fished the lake one or two weeks on vacation each year, I'd probably have an attitude similar to yours, but I'm blessed with the ability to spend most of the summer on the lake, so my 'moccasins' are a different size than yours.

First, I keep perhaps less than 25% of the fish that I catch, and to me the 'perfect eater' is about 15". Thus it doesn't bother me that the limit is 4, or that I can no longer keep a 17-incher.

My experience so far this summer (after about 15 days on the water) is that about 1 out of 4 fish goes back in the lake (the past week the percentage was higher on a slow bite). That bodes well, to me, for a relaxation of the slot in a couple years as more an more fish grow up into the protected category.

Posted

Here are my thoughts in general from another post.

I am a CPR guy myself but I also get on the water 50-100 times each year. Many anglers only get out a limited amount and the reason they fish is to target and catch their legal limit of fish for a family or a shore lunch with friends. I respect and appreciate the right of any angler to do this. The state of MN, business, and many individuals generate a significant amount of revenue from the great sport of fishing.

Respect the sport and those that partake in the angling experience. If you are truely after a trophy fish there are many well managed bodies of water to meet this need. Specifially lake Mille acs. Anyone should be able to get a 27" or larger monster walleye from this body of water. And for the specific body of water said fish must "legally" be released.

Many other lakes are very well managed with slots to protect the walleye population for generations to come. Many metro lakes are stocked by annually primarly to meet harvest demands and not to create a world class trophy fishery.

I read far to many posts where someone posts with great pride and excitement a day on the water only to have someone jump in with less then positive feedback. I have been fishing for 35 years and there are just as many good bodies of water today to fish as there ever was.

Hey, I still remember how great I felt being out on the wate with my dad when I was a kid. Cathing a fish and pleading with my dad can we keep it dad, can we keep it.

Life is much to short. Live, Laugh, Love, and set the hook !!!1

Posted

I agree with jparrucci. Just spent a week at Kab, and didn't get too many keepers. On top of that I sat and watched through my binacs the pelicans and seagulls picking at a lot of nice walleyes. I don't think they all died of natural causes. Just my opinion.

Posted

Quote:

Quote:

Ahhhhhhhh..the slot! My favorite subject
wink.gif
I'm with you caribou and to go further, I find all this "I throw back everything 17inch and over anyway" crap absolutely hilarious
laugh.gif

It seems like such a short time ago, the majority of posts were complaining about toooooooo small walleyes! Now, they're tooooooo BIG walleyes. How entertaining
confused.gif


I know and have fished with all of the guys who stated that they do not keep any walleyes over 17 inches anyway. They are not lying about that, it is a fact!

I also have to say that I would much rather eat walleyes in the 13" to 15 " range.

There are plenty of them to be had if you do not target only the larger walleyes.

Cliff


Personally I don't have any problem with there being a slot, but I do disagree with the saying 13-15 are the best size walleyes to keep and eat. I don't keep walleyes under 15" for the same reason I don't keep crappies under 10". The amount of meat you get off of a fish that size isn't worth keeping and killing it. IMO. I would rather keep 2 in the 16-18" than keep 6 under 15". All we know, those 6 14 inchers that someone keeps one day may be 6 good egg producing females a couple of years from now. I know the purpose of the slot is to keep good fishing for years to come, but personally I think not being able to keep any between 17-25 is taking away some good walleye meals for the people fishing in the present. If I were in charge, I would make the slot 19-28 and 1 over 28, with the only reason being 1 over 28 is I think that for most people a walleye over 28" is a trophy of a lifetime and they have the right to mount it if they like. Plus that is past good egg producing size if I am not mistaken. Anyway, that is my perspective on the subject.

Ryan

Posted

The idea is to reduce the total harvest below some figure. 64,000 lb comes to mind. So the slot is set based on the size distribution to try to achieve the limit on harvest.

Posted

I've had a lot of guests at our resort complain about the slot. I try to explain to them that you have to look long term and not short term. Crane/Sand/Nam put the 13"-17" slot into affect several years ago. If you talk to any of the people that fish up there they'll tell you that the fishing is better than it's been in a long time. Give it time and you'll see the results first hand. I understand that a lot of our guests spend good money to come up and fish for a week. But it's more than just catching fish. It's about the relaxation, and solitude, and fun in the sun, etc. Nobody likes change, but people will get used to it eventually.

Posted

Just a thought,maybe only a small percent of fish can grow large (genes) so throw them all back,just kidding i say if you eat it you can keep it(within reason of course)slot limits DO protect the resource.without question.happy fourth to all.....c63

Posted

Quote:

... and 1 over 28, with the only reason being 1 over 28 is I think that for most people a walleye over 28" is a trophy of a lifetime and they have the right to mount it if they like. Plus that is past good egg producing size if I am not mistaken. Anyway, that is my perspective on the subject.


I agree that a 28 inch fish is a trophy and wouldn't get down on anyone for mounting it. However, I think you are mistaken about the egg production. There was a study in In-Fisherman Walleye a couple years back where they harvested eggs from fish and charted the egg quantity by size of the female. I don't recall exact numbers but a 30 inch walleye produced about a million eggs while a 17 incher produces about 100k.

I tried to find the info online but only found http://www.wildernessisland.com/fishing/fish_age-size.html

That page states that older fish also produce larger and more viable eggs. In addition, letting those large fish go allows them to pass on their "large fish DNA" on to the next generation.

I was up fishing last week and was happy to put 4 fish over 20 inches.

Posted

Wally,

Thanks for the good link. I guess I could be wrong about the big fish. I was just always told when I was younger that fish start to lose their egg production when they get 27+ inches. I guess I was just always thought that fish stopped being as active and lose their energetic health, so the egg production went down.

Posted

A SD DNR officer told me once that once a walleye hits about 27" it pretty much loses its use biologically too the lake. I guess either way im putting them back because a 27"er put back could be someones 30"er in a couple years.

Guest
This topic is now closed to further replies.


  • Your Responses - Share & Have Fun :)

    • SkunkedAgain
      If you fished with me more often, you'd never have to make this statement...   38" of ice - love it. I'm really going to have to dig around for my auger extension. I don't think that I've needed it in over a decade.   Too bad nobody has a locomotive chugging across the ice to do some logging, like the good old days.
    • LakeofthewoodsMN
      On the South Shore...  Ice fishing remains strong across the south shore of Lake of the Woods out on Big Traverse Bay.  Resorts and outfitters on some parts of the lake have ice roads extending over 16 miles staying on nice schools of walleyes and saugers.  Many fish houses are over deep mud.  Some are on structure.  It is always fishing of course, but overall, February has been very productive for most anglers.   Extensions are being used on ice augers as the ice continues to thicken.  The thick ice this year will be good for the extended ice fishing season Lake of the Woods enjoys with fish houses out through March 31st, walleyes and saugers open through April 14th and a pike season that never closes. Most fishing activity is taking place in 26-32 feet of water.  Anglers are finding a healthy mix of walleyes and saugers, with a good number of jumbo perch in the mix this year.  Some big eelpout are also showing up.  Anglers are reporting plenty of fish for fresh fish frys and usually extra fish to bring home.   The one-two punch of a jigging line and deadstick is the way to go.  On the jigging line, jigging spoons with rattles tipped with a minnow head have been consistent.  Lipless crankbaits and jigging rap style lures also doing well.     Lures with a light have been working well in the stained water.  Please remember, in MN, lures with a light or water activated light can be used as long as the battery is mercury free and the hook is attached directly to the lure and not as a dropper line.     On the deadstick, a plain hook or a small jig with a live minnow 6 inches to a foot off of the bottom.    Some days, mornings are better, other days, it's the afternoons.  There is no distinct pattern, they could come through at any time. On the Rainy River...  The start of the day and end of the day have been best for those targeting walleyes on the river. A jig and minnow or a jigging spoon tipped with a minnow head is also producing some fish. Some big sturgeon being iced by ice anglers targeting them.  It is a catch-and-release sturgeon season currently.   Although ice conditions on the river are good, they can vary significantly due to the current, so anglers should always consult local resorts or outfitters for the most up-to-date safety information and fishing advice. Up at the NW Angle...  Ice fishing has been strong in the islands area of Lake of the Woods. Resorts continue to move their fish houses around, staying on the best schools of walleyes.     Anglers are catching a nice mix of walleyes, saugers, and jumbo perch with an occasional pike or tullibee as well.     Big crappies are still being caught just over the border.  Fish houses are available, check with a NW Angle resort for info on crappie fishing.   Lake of the Woods enjoys an extended ice fishing season with fish houses on the ice through March 31st and walleye and sauger seasons open through April 14th. Perch, crappie, and pike seasons remain open year-round.    
    • leech~~
      Maybe you should put rattle wheels down, if your going to sleep for 6hrs! 🤭 😆
    • JerkinLips
      Monday was my worst day of winter fishing on Vermilion in the last 4 years.  Caught only one 14" walleye in nearly 8 hours of fishing.  Missed two other bites and was marking very few fish.  Maybe the fish were taking Monday off after a big weekend.   No more water came up on the ice under my house.  Think it was because I haven't banked snow around it for a couple of weeks so the bare ice around the house is getting very thick.  I measured 38" of ice under my house and the Ion barely made it through even with the extension installed.  Needless to say I banked around the house this time.  Another lesson I learned today is don't drill holes if ice is frozen on your blades.  I did that on one hole and it didn't center properly and drilled at an angle on the edge of the opening.  Hope I can correct the location and angle on my next trip up.   Not much change in the surface lake surface conditions.  The drifts may be a little higher and are definitely harder.  There are still a few bare ice spots on the lake.  Very little activity on the lake today.  There are about 3 dozen houses from McKinley Park out to Birch Island.  Another person pulled there house off today, and I am sure many more will pull theirs off this coming weekend.  Only 13 days left of walleye season.    
    • leech~~
      A good start for never picking up a bow!   IMG_1910.mp4
    • leech~~
      Um, #metoo   leech~~ Author 'we have more fun' FishingMN Builders Posted January 26 My whole goal for the rest of this season.  Is to watch KC lose and Taylor cry!  🥳
    • smurfy
    • Wanderer
      Smurfy is happy.
    • Dash 1
      Great looking food. So far not much of a game and I thought the halftime show was worse I've seen. 
    • leech~~
      Oh is there a Superbowl game? 😋😋
×
×
  • 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.