keeping fish

[Mike Frisch]

A small lake here in western MN is putting out good numbers of walleyes. Some guys have been there several times and kept limits each time. Now it appears the fish are slowing down. Maybe it's because they're all in the freezer! I get upset sometimes when we have good fishing on a body of water but some anglers insist on killing every fish they catch. Then when the bite dies some of those same anglers question the DNR for not stocking enough fish. Seems to me we as anglers need to police ourselves if we want good fishing in the future. I am not opposed to eating fish, in fact I enjoy the occasional meal of walleyes. However, I am opposed to people stockpiling fish in the freezer or those who give fish away to friends, relatives, neighbors etc just so they can kill more!

What are others thoughts on the matter?

Mike Frisch
Fishing the Midwest team member
Elbow Lake, MN

[TOOLMAN 1]

Hey Mike.
I think I know the lake you are talking about.Several guys from town have been on this little lake once or twice a day for the last couple of weeks and have been taking a limit each and every time.
It wouldnt take much of a rocket scientist to catch these fish pigs or figure out what they are doing to a fine little lake.
When the boys in brown do tag one or two of these jerks then we can hear the stories how the are getting picked on.
Tim.

[Mike1700]

I agree with you Mike and understand your frustration as I too have the same thoughts on our area lakes, or any lake for that matter. The response typically given is that they pay for the license-they are entitled to their limits. My thoughts are that bass fisherman are entitled to their limits but they have mastered catch and release, what's the difference? It is a mindset, many anglers feel they have not accomplished anything on the water unless they take fish home and show everyone how good of a fisherman they are.

[jason m c]

i agree also. for me, if i am catching a ton of fish, i will keep 2 if i have not eaten fish for a long time because i feel like there are alot of fish. if i am struggling to catch even one fish, and then i catch one, i will throw it back. i would say i throw back 20 fish for every one kept.

[Freckles]

Just Remember T.I.P. It's for everyones good.

[triton 205]

sad thing is the ones keeping all the fish will be the first ones to complain about the low numbers of fish, when they are willing to one or more limit a day, even worse is most of us know some one like this