Lac Seul -- Overcrowded more and more every year

[Walleyefisher]

Spent the week of May 28 - June 5th on Lac Seul. Pretty good fishing, but not nearly as good as the years past. Fishing pressure is increasing and this year the ice was out really early.

Worst of it is the MN guys. Apparantly, the only way to catch fish in MN is to roll up next to someone else who is fishing and throw out the anchor. It was pathetic! Multiple large groups of 4 or 5 or even 6 boats would move from spot to spot and fish it out. I personally witnessed one crew with their ship to shore radios fish every single spot that another boat was on in McKenzie bay (which is huge). Each boat would go off in diffent directions until one found the hot spot, then contact all the other boats.

We ended up fishing areas with no fish just to get away. I guess a lake that is 103 miles long just doesn't have enough places to fish.

I know, where is the cheese to go with that whine.....right.

[Skylane]

I ran up to Lac Seul last Thursday (50 miles north of our cabin) and fished for the day. Fishing was a little slow but not bad (mostly slot and over). I noticed groups of boats heading back to camp at the end of the day but had no problems with anyone fishing on top of us. Plan on leaving central Illinois for Canada again next week some time and will probably hit Lac Suel at least once, hope I don't experience your problem, but if I do, it's still better then staying home. Keep a positive outlook. Steve

[bhfishman]

Hard to believe it is getting crowded on a lake that size. I am heading up in 10 days to Ear Falls area. How is the water level? Glad to hear the fish are biting. You know that once the word gets out about where the fish are biting the resort owners spread the word. I had that happen last year where a group of guys came in and started back trolling right through us. We had two boats and these guys weren't shy. Got ticked off and went to a better spot. That happens everywhere. Just wish that people would be more considerate.

[baitfish]

Sounds like my father in law. I have had guys say to him hey buddy why don't you just get in my boat and fish. I have seen him toss his lure into the other guys boat. It is embarrassing to fish with him.

[new one]

I hear that baitfish. My fishing partner is not shy about fishing right on top of other people. He is older, and we normally take his boat so I dont have much say. I normally just look at the other boat and tell them sorry. Just lucky nobody has really gotten mad. He doesnt mind when people do it to use though, so at least he is not a hippocrit.

[Lac Seul too]

Was that boat an ugly creme colored I/O?
If so, I am familiar with that group.
They really can only anchor or drift with that tub.

[FIB]

I would never consider coming within a 1/2 mile of another boat (even boats in my group) on a lake that size. There is so much water and structure, it gives an angler opportunity to find new fishing holes. Why would someone drive (16 hours for me) all that way to go fight over one Walleye hole? It's crazy.

[Wooglin]

I feel the same way. We did find some holes last year from word of mouth, and we had people roll up on us - it was irritating, but we still caught a decent amount of fish. But as mentioned, Lac Seul is so huge that if someone does come into your 'boundary', you can easily just pull anchor and try to find a new spot. I know, it sucks, but some people just don't care if they fish right on top of you...its a shame!

[been there]

Lots of boats at the mouth of the sancuary most were anchored up within 20 to 30 yards of each other. Doesn't bother me if thats where I want to fish. It's the same as it was two years ago. When the walleyes start to scatter so will the boats

[Roadhog]

I don't want to blame the camp owners on this subject because they are entitled to make a profit, but it would be nice if all the 3 & 4 day packages were eliminated. It seems to me that the Minnesota fishermen have fished out about 9,999 of the 10,000 lakes and are now working their same "magic" on Ontario. Our group goes to Lac Seul once a year. I have talked to other fishermen in camp, most of them from Minnesota, who go up for 3-4 days three or four times a year. Couple that with taking home their limit in walleyes and northerns each time and it puts more pressure on the lake. More fishermen and more boats in your favorite fishing spot are the results of these frequent trips.

[Mike Kansas]

During the week of 5/28 to 6/4 one of our boats had several altercations with two boats from a well known lodge on Lac Seul. The lodge boats were guided by two young men and they pulled right in on top of our boat cutting us off on both sides. I was very surprised because these Guides represent a lodge with a great reputation and one would assume that the Guides would be better schooled than that.

There is plenty of water and fishing spots on Lac Seul and there is no need for Guided boats or un-guided boats to cut anybody off.

[Big Tim]

Unfortunatly this happens no matter where you are. I've never left a spot because other boats pulled in. But I have asked them to backoff a ways. Sometimes it works & sometimes I get the bird. That's why I keep an old lure (with the hooks bent way over so as not to do any real harm) & just keep pitching it at their boat & any lines they have out. They usually get the message & move on.

The worst case I ever had was on Lac Seul with a guy in my own (rental) boat! Day 3 of the trip he caught a 31.5" Walleye. Day 4 was his turn to drive. so of course we go back to the same spot. Well he did not figure on the wind , so when he droped anchor he ended up on the "wrong" end of the boat to jig RIGHT where he wanted to. So he casts straight across the only way the other 2 of us in the boat can pitch up close to shore where we were all catching fish that week. (it was early season) I asked him to pitch the other way so we, too could fish. He ignores me, I ask again, not so nicely, "But, thats where I want to fish" he says. Now I go off on him Still he's not backing down, so I just toss my rod down & try to get a grip on myself, so as not to toss HIM overboard. The third guy in the boat got him to see the light. Put a damper on the next few days. Needless to say BOZO has not been invited with us ever again. :-(

[been there]

I don't think it makes any difference if the same guys come up 2,3or 4 times and take home a limit or if different guys take there spots and do the same thing. We took home 14 walleyes all under the slot and ate a lot more then that in 3 nights all under the slot and never had more then our limit. I doubt it damaged the population a bit. I have a problem with the guys who take one over the slot just because they can and take it home and eat it. I also have a problem with pulling fish out of 40 ft of water in the summer months cause they don't stand much of a chance after they are released either.

[To Mike]

If the lodge is the one I think it is call the owner and let him know I doubt you will see that behavior again.

[FIB]

Speaking of guides, true story on LS. We were taking a break from real fishing, eating a sandwich, trolling down the middle of a bay in 5 ft of water. By trolling I mean we had lines out but did not count on anything hitting. A big guided boat shoots in behind us and starts trolling in our wake? This is not a fishing spot, the guide was just jumping in on a boat he saw. What a joke, funniest part is his clients probably had no clue. We just laughed at the thought that this guy was getting paid.

[Walleyefisher]

Funny, I was expecting to be totally slammed and have all sorts of hateful responses to my posting. I see now that I am not alone in my troubles. I would never have singled out MN guys, but in my particular instance every boat that hogged in was someone from MN and all the big groups were also from MN. I suppose it could be that the ratio of MN guys to all other states is probably substantially higher. But, do they need to be so rude?

The mouth to the sanctuary is always jammed full and we just opt to burn a ton of fuel to get to other regions of the lake.

One other barometer for the increase of fishing pressure was the lack of sows we saw this year. Maybe it was just us, but we caught a ton of fish in the slot and a lot less of the big girls this year.

I'm with the guy that is down on people pulling out the fish over the slot just because they get more meat. We didn't take any fish home at all and only ate two 15" walleyes for a shore lunch.

I'm hopeful that next year will be better, but I doubt it.

[timeout]

This is a common problem everywhere today. I have come to expect it on places like the red river, but when you go to isolated areas to try and escape it and the same behaviour occurs it tends to annoy you a lot more.
In populated areas around winnipeg, especially with the high water levels this year, limiting the shore fishing areas it is a real issue. Boats will anchor right in front of people fishing from shore and of course with the high current these boats are anchoring out of the main channel and within easy casting distance. The surprising thing to me is how angry they get when 3 ounces of lead a hook and a hunk of sucker splashes down 2' directly behind their motor. The whole thing is, who was there first? If they are there first we go elsewhere and the funny thing here is the worst offenders have to be from minnesota. The people from missouri and Iowa appear to be more respectful and have better fishing etiquette. Go figure.
Like I said though it happens everywhere. Last year on the winnipeg river by the manitoba/ontario border we were working a small bay when a guide pulls up with his clients and starts fishing the same small bay when there was a mile of fishable water before they got to us.
It is hard to understand the logic, but if I was paying a guide I would not be happy if we were on an isolated system and he chose to move in on someone elses secluded area.

[gary at evergreen]

Hi, Pat at Evergreen here. Could you please contact us at lacseul@tbaytel.net if the guides were from our camp. We'll deal with it here. Doubt that it was but want to take care of the problem if it was. Thanks, Pat and Gary

[orchard frank]

Been goingto Seul for 12 yrs or so, definitely more people around. I enjoy finding new spots, but I have seen some rude behavior, even on a large reef people want to get close at times. One thing I have had some luck with the last few years is fishing for suspended fish. They are there, believe me, and often big. The good thing is they may be in the middle of nowhere over 40-60' of water.

[FIB]

I have never really considered suspended fish up there. Do you have a method for picking a spot to try for them? I would not know where to start. Do you just pick some deep water and give it a try or do you mark fish first?

[Harold]

Why don't you just go run up next to him when he is fishing, that'll tell you EXACTLY where the fish are. LOL

[Go_Fish]

Ya, I've had experiences at the mouth of the sanctuary as well. It is frustrating.

I think the best technique is to start the day out by making a long early morning run say 20 miles out from camp, and then fish your way back. Most folks won't run that far especially early in the week, and you will be by yourself most of the time.

Don't think about the gas! If you drive 16-20 hours to get where you are, take advantage of it!

I'm right there with you about killing the fish. It is damaging to a fishery, if you have 1000's of fisherman taking out multiple limits every season, no matter what anyone says. I'm all for eating a few though.

Were heading up for a day and a half over father's day.

Good Luck!

Go_Fish

[FIB]

Very Good! I wish I would have thought that.

[Love to fish.]

They are not from Minnesota. Theye are cheese heads in disguise.

[jigman 2003]

I have to say that the statements made here are why my Dad and I have started doing a fly-in. Nobody around but us. 3500 acre lake to ourselves for a week.
As far as fishing etiquette and those who follow the "rules"-Wisconsin guys are generally pretty good, Illinois (maybe just Chicago) guys are terrible, Minnesota guys make the Illinois guys look good. Just my two cents.

[Euker]

I was on the trip with Mike. It was not Evergreen we had the problem with. Thanks for asking, the fact that you are concerned enough to ask demonstrates you do business right. No posting from the lodge involved by the way which comes as no big surprise. Not evergreen, though. I would love to identify the clowns that acted like this but if Mike thinks that would be in poor taste I will honor that. Had a great trip and love Lac Suel. Also I appreciate the comments about Missouri and Iowas anglers showing more respect. Most of our group are from those two states. Have a great summer, and remember the value of catch and release.

[Wooglin]

I second that emotion. IL guys are terrible during the hunting season too when they infiltrate WI.

The Bears still suck.


>I have to say that the statements made here are why my Dad
>and I have started doing a fly-in. Nobody around but us.
>3500 acre lake to ourselves for a week.
>As far as fishing etiquette and those who follow the
>"rules"-Wisconsin guys are generally pretty good, Illinois
>(maybe just Chicago) guys are terrible, Minnesota guys make
>the Illinois guys look good. Just my two cents.

[Skylane]

I am from central Illinois. Most of us down here consider Chicago seperate from the rest of the state and not part of the real world. I apologise for the percentage of them that are rude and applaud the rest that have respect for others and just want to enjoy Canada like everyone else.

[orchard frank]

The Three Island stretch north of Manitou toward Sen bay and Chamberlain has #'s of suspended fish, and there is a ton of water. Anyplace around reef complexes is liable to work, fish at the same depth that is working on the reef, I think they just slide off. This year I had some pretty good luck with the shallow Husky jerk #12 in the "Glass Minnow" color, kind of a prism white.We eat shore lunch every day, I like the small guys 14" or so.Good Luck

[riverrat47]

I'm from Illinois too, not Chicago. There is definitely a different mentality in the NE part of the state. Maybe it is true of all big metropolitian areas, which may explain the Minnesota anglers-if they are from the Twin Cities. Unfortunately for we Illinoians, about 65% of our states population is from Cook and the collar counties.

[Big Tim]

OK I've listend to you guys bash Il., & Chicagoans in particular. I'll never defend the actions described in this thread. BUT not ALL of us Chicagoans are like that. And maybe there are a few more jerks in this neck of the woods, Maybe not. But remember anytime you encounter rude or un-sportsman behavior, unless you know for sure, don't mark him(her,them,whoever) as another rude dude from Chicago. One or even two bad encounters does not reflect an entire region ( or race, religion, nationality or even which brand of boat they drive)

A popular fishing web site's in Chicago motto is "Anglers with Ethics" Not just following the law, but consideration for right & wrong.

Big Tim, born & raised on the So. Side of Chicago

[trimming tails]

Tell me more do you use nail clippers or just hack off the entire fin?

[Tin Ranger]

Another example of why I won't spend my hard earned money in Canada. My dad wants to fish up there real bad, but I will not put my boat into Canadian waters for posts like this one(that really aren't that uncommon). Most of you will say good deal! I would agree with you. My .02 (US)

[LadyWalleye]

I know exactly what everyone is talking about, I have been going to Lac Seul since 1997, this will be my 8th trip this summer, the first 2 years in '97 & '98 we didn't hardly see any other boats around the Manitoba Point and Stoney Point areas except the 4 boats in our group and last year there were boats everywhere. We are from Iowa and practice good fishing etiquette, if someone else is in our favorite spot we move on to another spot but we have had plenty of people horn in on us, but not as bad as the Hudson side of Lac Seul, that side of Lac Seul is the worst, we fished out of Hudson once and only once, we were new to that area and were looking for spots and we would be jigging about 15 feet away from our partners boat so we could chat with each other and we would have other boats come in and anchor right in between our two boats. It was terrible so we decided we would never fish that area again and stick to our old stomping grounds. We seek out new fishing holes every year in case our favorite fishing holes are being fished and its not that bad cause we have found some better fishing holes by being forced to explore a little farther away from camp.

[donot really care]

>Another example of why I won't spend my hard earned money in
>Canada. My dad wants to fish up there real bad, but I will not
>put my boat into Canadian waters for posts like this one(that
>really aren't that uncommon). Most of you will say good deal!
>I would agree with you. My .02 (US)
I believe you when you say that, but the question I have is, if you feel that way, then why are you bothering to read the Canada message board? Are you xenophobic or do you have an interest in keeping american anglers at home?

[K-State Fan]

Whats xenophobic?

[Walleyefisher]

Funny....but the point still remains and it looks like I'm far from the only person that has experienced this problem. This issue has nothing to do with Canada.....I've been on Rainy lake and had it even worse.

Two options for me are:

Stop fishing or
B!tch and get over it.

I choose the latter.

[AVS]

obviously I'm joking!!!!

But I am a proud Minnesota and make make a trip once a year and fish w/ 6 to 7 guys that are honest "sportsman"

It does upset me to see my fellow Minnesotans get slammed for the actions of a small % of others.
Seems like every year I read about folks from MS, IA, WI, IL, KS
getting ticketed for some very un-sportsman like behavior!

I'm guessing that by simple geographics, The Minnesota angeler ratio is higher then any other states (speaking of Ontario)
There is no excuse for poor behavior, but I sincerely doubt that the average Minnesota Angler is any different then anyone else!

All right I'll get off my soap box now!

[Tin Ranger]

>I believe you when you say that, but the question I have is, if you >feel that way, then why are you bothering to read the Canada >message board? Are you xenophobic or do you have an interest in >keeping american anglers at home?


I don't have an "interest" in keeping American anglers home, just stating my feelings on why I don't and won't spend money there. Kinda funny all the Minnesota bashing going on, then I get accused of trying to keep people from spending money there (via fishing "your" spots, on "your" lake). Too bad John Kerry doesn't run for office in your country, he might make sense to a few people up there.

In the mean time, I'll stick to the lack luster lakes such as Mille Lacs, Leech, Cass, Winnie, Vermillion, LOW and Rainey (American sides of course).

Take Care, and may all your spots be be free of Minnesota boats!

[Minnesota Mark]

I can't beleive all the crying! I have been going to Lc Seul since 1981. I have seen foul behavior from fisherman that came up from WI, Iowa, ILL, and Michigan. But the instances have been minor and few.

All in all the times have been great! That is why I keep going back. Our group may vary from 4 to 12 guys and we always have fun; occasionally a few problems but nothing to ruin a trip or post on a #### session/website.

Lets all have fun and enjoy it while we can before PETA convinces the Ontario Ministry that spring walleye fishing is as unethical as the spring bear hunt.

We fish Broad, Sunlight, and Mckenzie. See ya'll next spring!

PS
how is the fishing in the summer?
how are the bugs then?
I would like to plan a trip with my wife and kids.

[sdfsadga]

>the funny thing here is the worst offenders have to be from
>minnesota. The people from missouri and Iowa appear to be more
>respectful and have better fishing etiquette. Go figure.
>Like I said though it happens everywhere. Last year on the
>winnipeg river by the manitoba/ontario border we were working
>a small bay when a guide pulls up with his clients and starts
>fishing the same small bay when there was a mile of fishable
>water before they got to us.
>It is hard to understand the logic, but if I was paying a
>guide I would not be happy if we were on an isolated system
>and he chose to move in on someone elses secluded area.
>


Funny, you burn on Minnesotan's and then tell a story about a rude Canadian guide. The irony here is screaming to be recognized.

[TTT]

I always ran into the same problem hunting geese in Saskatchewan. There were a great many Minnesota hunters. About half did not understand the concepts of "private property" nor "permission", nor "holding one's liquor". It made it difficult for all of us from Minnesota. The local farmers would see Minnesota plates on our truck and automatically figure we were ignorant and arrogant jerks. It took a whole lot more schmoozing when they knew we were from Minnesota. I hate to say it, but the farmers had a point. I still hope it was just a function of many Minnesotans compared to few from other states. But some of the stuff I witnessed from my fellow Minnesotans was embarrassing.

[yellowdog]

the funny thing here is the worst offenders have to be from
>minnesota. The people from missouri and Iowa appear to be more
>respectful and have better fishing etiquette. Go figure.
>Like I said though it happens everywhere. Last year on the
>winnipeg river by the manitoba/ontario border we were working
>a small bay when a guide pulls up with his clients and starts
>fishing the same small bay when there was a mile of fishable
>water before they got to us.
>It is hard to understand the logic, but if I was paying a
>guide I would not be happy if we were on an isolated system
>and he chose to move in on someone elses secluded area.



So then if it was a guide he was probably from Canada right? I thought all the rude people were in Minnesota. You people amaze me. Rude people live everywhere as do stupid people. Take a look at this thread, there are stupid people from Iowa,Minnesota, Canada,Illinois, Wisconson, etc. that are involved. Get a grip people. Go somewhere else if some idiot pulls up next too you. You try to burn on Minnesotans and then cite a story about a rude Canadian, that really made me laugh, thanks.
>

[to dog]

word

[Guide07]

I like how this post has converted to "all walks of mankind can be rude." One guy happened to be in, or near, a camp with a group of unethical Minnesotans and now he has a hatred for all from our state.
Have been going on 3-4 day trips to Ontario since the early 80's and would never consider horning in on another boater. It just so happens that Lac Seul is situated just north of Minnesota and the dream of fishing Canadian waters is in the blood of many Minnesotans. I have some brothers that started to venture north recently with us and it only took one afternoon of fishing to convert them into excellent sport fisherman. The hunter and gatherer mentality may run deeper among Minnesotans, plus there ability to carry the small lake fishing practices they have from there home lakes just needs an adjustment.
As I talk on I see your point though.
Guide07
ps. the 3-4 day trips better never get eliminated. A short trip is better than no trip for family dads like myself.

[Go_Fish]

I'm with you on that one.

Go_Fish

[Walleyefisher]

Hey....If it looks like a duck, and walks like a duck, and quacks like a duck it's probably a duck. All I said was that the guys that were rude and unethical were all from MN in my particular case.

[Lonnie]

I went antelope hunting in Wyoming a few years ago with 2 friends from here in Minnesota. The land owner was not going to even let us hunt on her land because of her past experience with Minnesota hunters. Well I told her we were not like that and she would have no problem. She reluctantly let us hunt there. Well unfortunately my freinds, now ex friends, procceded to act like jerks and pissed off the land owner. I was ashamed of there attitudes and behavior, and surprised because I had no idea they would act like this. I will never hunt with them again. The ranch we hunted was loaded with lots of nice antelope, unfortunately they ruined it for me too and now none of us will ever be welcome there agian.

Thanks, Lonnie