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Metro Walleye Stocking, Good Bad and Ugly


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What lakes in the metro area do you guys think walleye stocking isn't worth the time? There are some lakes that I think stocking should be stopped and that the allotment should be used in other lakes. There seems to be quite a few lakes the DNR stocks just because they have for years or because they looked at a map and figured there's no walleye in that lake. I mean why would they stock Typo lake with walleyes? It's 4 feet deep. The Minneapolis chain also comes to mind. Yea there are walleyes in them but who actually catches them let alone fishes them? It's a huge pain to get a boat in and forget about shorefishing in the veggies. Another is Island in Shoreview. confused.gif How about Marion? Has anyone actually caught a walleye out there on purpose?

I think the DNR can do a better, more efficient job than they are. Some of the lakes are stocked with expensive walleyes the DNR buys from private fish farms. I just think that these fish (our license dollars) can be better utilized.

Let the fire storm begin. Let's keep it civil though. smile.gif

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The problem here is that your average fisherman/angler won't be able to target specific gamefish. What it does offer is variety and the luck that one can catch such a fish as the Walleye out of these lakes.

Anyhow a 4ft depth pond or lake should'nt be considered for Walleyes if that's the case. If your talking about Marion in Lakeville then yes I have caught Walleyes out of there occasionally.

But I feel the DNR stocks the larger more exposed bodies of water accordingly to it's size & pressure already. Their just giving these smaller lakes a chance to show it's colors. Anyhow that will help relieve some of the pressure off lakes that receive alot of attention.

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I would rather the DNR save it's money instead of worrying about fishing pressure on certain lakes. They already work with a tight enough budget as it is. I think just about every lake in ramsey county should be discontinued with walleye stocking. Bald eagle and white bear are the only lakes in the county where the walleye fishing is worth the money it takes to stock them there.

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I think stocking smaller lakes is great.

It gives anglers some variety. I know there are several smaller lakes, especially in my old haunting grounds in St. Paul, that were stocked once in a while with walleye, or where the DNR would throw in a few fry when they had "extra". I loved it. It gave me options close to my house; it gave me options on smaller lakes that were easier to figure out; it gave me options in places where, for a time, no one knew there were walleye; it spreads out the pressure to more lakes.

What's not to like? I've caught walleyes less than a mile from my old house in a place many thought of as a "dump" or a "swamp". Honestly, that gave me more satisfaction than catching a big one on Bald Eagle or White Bear. Half the fun, for me, is the hunt, & finding unpressured fish that have been overlooked by most of the rest of our fellows.

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You also forgot to add Phalen to the list of continued stocking. It's one of the few area lakes that actually have naturally reproducing walleye population. It's just so d@mn hard to fish that lake, which might be good. grin.gif

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Its funny to watch the boats in the spring/summer/fall and the permanent houses pile into Crooked in Anoka county these days when the 'eyes were stalked in there!! Anything to get those little guys!

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Phalen is a great example of one of lakes. It don't get as much fishing pressure as Bald Eagle or White Bear. I think people are turn away from the lake when you can drive on other metro lakes. Also with the no motors on the lake for spring fishing as well. Thats fine if you don't fish there. Its just a great lake thats close, and you have the same chance to catch fish as the more popular ones in the metro.

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Quote:

Phalen is a great example of one of lakes. It don't get as much fishing pressure as Bald Eagle or White Bear. I think people are turn away from the lake when you can drive on other metro lakes. Also with the no motors on the lake for spring fishing as well. Thats fine if you don't fish there. Its just a great lake thats close, and you have the same chance to catch fish as the more popular ones in the metro.


The problem with Phalen is cars without trailers clogging up the boat access. mad.gif

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