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Posted

I wondered how long it would be until we started to see the large amounts of persons coming to Green Lake that do not practice catch and release?Tonight on a cruise around the lake we saw people with baskets and 5 gallon buckets full of bass.This was seen both at the Calhoun fihing bridge which is onlt 72 hours old ,and very nice and at the Old Mille cabins and campgrounds.Yesterday a freind said that many limits left the lake via public accesses.So it looks like they should clear out fairly fast.Three different studies now completed in Wisconsin on lakes similar to and lakes not similar to it have concluded that smallmouth bass,nortern pike and muskie have no signs of being a preditor to the walleye .In conclusion it is the Large mouth bass that preys on walleye.Lakes with large populations of smallmouth and walleye seem to keep and equal balance while lakes with largemouth seem to deplete the walleye.And even when the walleye are restocked in these lakes they seem to be the dinner menu for largemouth bass.The walleyes that do survive are bigger in defense but rare.Sounds Like it is possible to restock walleye thou in smallmouth and northern pike based waters.These fish do not prey on walleye.Also studied was displacement of walleye from clearer water.Walleyes are shown to be found in weedbeds if shallower or simply move deeper to live there low light lifestyle ,.If this is all true and we want to see the walleye population return we have to act now to restock as the state of Minnesota and DNR special walleye restock at double regular rate is to finish this year 2006.Private funding can enable this lake to regrow as a walleye fisherie within the next 5 years if we do.There seems to be no-0-notta evedince that walleye here are capable of sustaining themselves .Without a high population of largemouth to prey on them it should be safe now to privatly stock walleye.I talked to no person that would not open the pocketbook a little to assist this.Mnay lakes in west central MN. have implemented stocking and they believe it is going to work.I hope thet just because the state and DNR dont have budgets that we do not stop stalking for any period of time again.The five year absense that happened just a few years ago is definatly the problem with the population drop,I do not know why the natural reproduction of the walleye stopped but the only way to keep it upis stock-stock-stock,and practice catch and release.As far as the bass they are going to delete so fast that our phenom fishing for them is truly already endangered .What we probaly need is to hire an outside fisheries biologist that is able to give us suggestions on stocking without state aid and suggest that local fisheries work hard to find funding for all future years and have the public ready to step in when the state cant produce as I think they have there hands tied.Comments would be appreciated

Posted

I agree with the study you cite in your post primetime...take a look at Lake Mille Lacs and tell me that big smallies and walleyes can't coexist in huge numbers...

When I see people keeping big smallmouth it makes me want to puke.

SA/wdw

Posted

Rustad,

you might have a point there...... grin.gif

J.

Posted

This makes me sick!!!

I called that this was going to happen before the dropping of the regs started.....when it was just talk. The walleye guys say that nobody keeps bass....Ha! They think this is going to help the walleye population some how???? I agree with the Mille Lacs comment, bass and walleye can live happily together. Its just that the public in the region are so uneducated about catch-and-realease that it truly destroys any type of above average fishing opportunities we have here in the area.

Like I said over a year ago....It took 10 years to create a World Class smallmouth bass fishery. It will take less than one to destroy it!

Posted

Slow down guy's. Keeping a few of the smallmouth out of Green is not going to hurt the population. The reasons your seeing smallies taken out is becuase your looking for them. A dozen Ole Mill people, 3 guy's at the bridge and another boat or two out on the lake is not going to hurt the fishery. Look at Nest lake for example, a way smaller lake, 4 resorts, + the Ole Mill and that lake is thriving with bass. I lived on Nest for 6 years and probally witnessed over a thousand bass harvested, and another ten thousand in the weed machine. That lake is just fine, let's not jump overboard here.

Posted

Primetime be careful what you wish for(more walleyes stocked)we dont need to return to the good old days with to many small walleyes(12"-13")and continually waiting for next year for them to grow up and never seeing it happen. Most guys will never let them get any bigger(cant grow in a fry pan). Lets give the lake some time with the DNR managing the lake with state wide regs in mind and see what happens. I agree with ghostzapper a few tourists & uneducated anglers are not going to decimate the entire SM bass population.

Posted

I keep hearing about this walleye stocking in Green, in 2004 only 1 1/2 years ago 2,122,628 walleye's were dumped into the lake to me the stocking is continueing. In 2004 there was as much stocking as the previos 2 1/2 years before 2004. Green lake is going to be fine, if walleye numbers do go back to historic highs they will then again decline. Not to do with just the smallmouth, but it will also be due to the fishermen. How soon we have forgot about the 100-200 boats each opening weekend that use to roam Green lake, and atleast 50-100 for the next month after that. Anyone from around the area can think back and recall those day's in the late 80's and early 90's when walleye's were taken out by the thousands. Lake's go in cycle's and Green goes through it's share and then some. I hope the smallmouth population does decline a little and hope the crayfish can come back. That's the only way any of us will ever see a true 6lb smallmouth again. I would much rather catch 10 smallmouth a day and have 1 over twenty inches then catch 20 a day with nothing over 19 inches. We should all be thankful to be blessed with a gem like Green.

Posted

Just like Ghostzapper said lake's go in cycle's. Sure I hate bass but hey let the bass guys have there turn for a while grin.gif Take Mille lacs for example they went through a walleye drought and now there one of the best if not the best walleye/smallmouth fishery in the state. Let's put and end to all this and start stocking muskies in the lake grin.gif

Posted

I agree with ya'all. If the lake is in a cycle why did the locals pressure the DNR to drop the reg's completely. A slot or maybe a small catch and eat limit could've satisfied the walleye anglers. I really believe money is the issue here. The local business's knew the "tournies" would flock to this lake like flies to dead meat. Well they best enjoy it for the time being because after a few years it will be all over. The biggest problem with all the lakes in this area are the influx of tourists. The're the ones who like to catch and eat and take what ever is legal and sometimes (some - not all) go beyond that. Who can blame them. They spend a lot of dough so what the hey let them do there thing as long as they stay within the law.

A note to all of us that like to eat fish. If we all abide by the possesion limit (one of the most broken fishery laws) it will help. Practicing catch and release goes beyond just bass.

That's all folks! Time to step down from the soapbox for today. Who's next?

Posted

Take a close look around in the area. I have seen more bass boat rigs this year alone then I have seen in all the past years put together. Believe me, the DNR knew that this would drive tourist dollars up. If they can afford $30,000 dollar bass rigs...think how much money they'll bring to the area. Food, hotels, bait stores, gas, etc.......

The whole thing is politics....

Posted

If I read corectly. The concern about smallies was destroying the food base for walleyes.I'm for reducing the SM population.Then size limits to produce a dual quality fishery for both speicies. I'm planning to take some bass myself Green is 6 miles away, but I,ll wait till fall when the lake isn't so crowed

Posted

The lakes always been a good bass fishery, probably always will be.

I'll agree that someone had an agenda when the regs were implemented. It's bearing fruit now, which is fine I guess. If you like to catch bass.

Posted

ya i darn proud to say you prolly saw me toting a basket full of smallies on that same day. all were 17-20 in. and will be delicious! You wouldnt even have them if it wasnt for tourists tax dollars! And the whole she-bang about it being unethical, uh we were using leeches and to release a gut hooked fish is MURDER! you should be happy i didnt do the same with the wally's like we always used to do.

Posted

So here is the question.

Would you rather see a lake get harvested with people keeping pail fulls of smallies or pails full of walleyes?

Becuase if the walleye fishing was this good you know thats what you would see instead.

Its just what people in this area do and will probably always do. Its just a sad thing to see.

But as long as every single person on the lake isnt doing it, the lake will be fine. It actually might bring a crawfish population back and maybe even produce a smallie over 21" or 22".

Posted

Welcome sparcebag and smallie bass.Seriously we need input on this.I have seen many good comments so far and wondered if I would be only one to appreciate both bass annd walleye.Yes as a n old Green Laker I used to throw a wonderfull Sunday evening barbecued bass sandwich feed regularly. 1 No I dont think this lake is cycling .as I do not remember a period that no natural reproduction of walleye was evident.2If without any stocking during a 5 year period I dont believe stocking heavy for 3 years is going to be the answer.3The two species of fish never competed for forage types.4 most lakes have stocking plans outside of realm of what state can afford.5 10 years ago locals bass tournament on Green lake weighed 70% largemouth[per J>P>]. Yes locally the economy is doing better from the bass ;for example,silverado tourney.teams polled totalsbefore and during touney.260 motel nights,30 campsite nights,950 meals,600 gas fills etc.But I dont think that local buisnesses even know that its going on.SureMelvins ,Mels,legion and Willmar motels besides our two here will notice it.Papers make it history as they run pictures after and dont react with news stories ahead of time .One has policy to stay out of debate other thought they were publihing state supplied facts and opinions for over a year supplied by local tax free group.Give me more opinions please>?

Posted

If you know where you can get a new bass rig for $30,000 let me know, you're talking $50,000 - $60,000 for the average bass boat now day's.

Posted

Please explain what tourist tax dollars has to do with the smallmouth fishing in Green.

Posted

If the locals were so concerned about the walleyes. They would ask for a slot, to limit the amount of fish, removed from the lake. (that would never happen). Most of the tourist type that come fish Green lake keep the smallies because their the easiest to catch. Those of us that fish the lake on a regular bases won't be caught dead with smallies for a meal. Crappies would sure be a good change of pace.

Posted

This is just one of the points of not being able to please everyone all the time at once I'm afraid.. PPL have preferences some eat bass some don't .. The lake will always have fish in it.. the IMPORTANT thing is look 10-15 yrs down the road.. what wil the kids have to fish?? Lets not be greedy and think of the future for our kids sake please?? mad.gif

Posted

Basssmasher, Thats a very good point. I know a guy that says "the limit for walleyes should be changed to 2 fish".

And don't you guys know smallmouth bass are poisonous. wink.gif

Posted

Quote:

3The two species of fish never competed for forage types.


So in your world, both fish don't viciously pursue perch, bluegill, leeches, minnows, or craws etc... ive surely patterned both on each bite... You see, i know a older guy that has lived on the lake virtually his whole life on indian beach and he said when they were introduced they caused nothing but trouble for the walleyes. He said take all the smallmouth you want, so we took our limits home. and when i come to a lake expecting to catch them and walleyes but the walleyes dont bite, i will keep some smallies. I mean dont get me wrong, i let all bass go here in IL, unless its on the wall, but when i come up and pay $30-$40 for a license, i will keep something... smile.gif

Posted

jiggen, I think you hit the nail on the head, the tourist/oldtimer types figure they drove x hundred miles and spent x amount of dollars, by golly they're entitled to eat some fish!!! If they can't catch walleyes, bass will do! And take enough home to have a fish fry, if they don't get caught. Whats catch and release??! Whats fishing for sport??!

Posted

Quote:

I mean dont get me wrong, i let all bass go here in IL, unless its on the wall, but when i come up and pay $30-$40 for a license, i will keep something...
smile.gif


Thank you smalliebass8669! You just made my point about politics. You open up a world class smallmouth fishery and tourists(fishermen) flock in from the surrounding states to fish it. Believe me, the MN DNR is making some money on non-resident licenses.

Posted

Did anyone see the article in the new bassmaster magezine on the realationship with smallmouth and crawfish??? None of us should be worried about people keeping smallmouth, we should spend our time trying to find out how we can bring the crawfish back. Six years ago the DNR found about 12 crawfish per nets, in 2004 they found 0. If the smallmouth disapear it's becuase of the crawfiswh, I would recomend everyone to read this article.

confused.gif

Posted

ghostzapper,what month issue is this?I upto last summer used to take a shoreline troll pattern the mornings after hard east winds and try to catch a few fish off dock ends from landing at town to downtown Lions park and back.Even last year I would benefit from fairly large numbers of craws.Zapper guess what this year after several morning cruises there are absolutly no dead or injured crawfish.So now when they are all gone what do smallies eat?If anyone has cleaned a couple smallies can you tell us what they are feeding on.thanks,welcome other new guys this might just work to get enough info on stocking ,food prey or fish.

Posted

very fine point sir. i would also reccomend the article, as i just got done reading it on my "throne". also the only undigested material i could find was crawfish when i cleaned them... there were also craws in my basket.

  • 8 months later...
Posted

Read 06/23/06 blog

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