Don't dump minnows in the lake after fishing

[Rmack]

Some people need to be educated about the damage that different minnow species can do to a lake.

Minnows in a lake compete with the fry and fingerling's of game species for feed. There will be less pounds per acre of game fish because of the minnow population.

Last Winter on a trip to Red Lake I invited an acquaintance to join me for the weekend. The Crappies on Red were biting through the day, and the Walleyes looked unhealthy from the over planting by the DNR over the last several years.

He wanted to dump the minnows in the lake for feed when we left, I told him no as I thought it was my call as he was my guest. I had put some things in the truck, and when I returned to the ice-house the minnow buckets were empty. Needless to say, this person will never fish with me again.

There were probably 4 species of minnows in those buckets including sticklebacks.

On a lake like Red where the DNR did not monitor the forage base close enough when they were dumping the millions of Walleye fry and fingerling's into it, there will be more same species predation till the numbers come down to a balance with the forage base. The Perch population was down drastically last Winter, and hopefully it will recover in the near future.

If you take your minnows to shore to dump after fishing, the lakes will be healthier for it.

Ron

[caster]

When I am done and will no longer need the bait, I toss them on top of the ice where they will later be eaten by the birds. I agree and do not put them down the hole.


Thumper

[FuzzyIL]

I eat mine on pizza

[karpbuster]

I usually stop back by where I bought the minnows and either give them back or some cases they give you credit for the next trip.

I do ask the place I am buying the minnows from if they are approved to be released back in the lake, not that I would but sometimes they escape.

karpbuster

[Opinion]

<Needless to say, this person will never fish with me again.>

Take a chill-pill dude! If you are THAT concerned, what business do you have fishing with a non-native baitfish to begin with? Maybe you should stick to larvae and take no chances at all. Who knows maybe you lost one male and female non-native baitfish off the hook and you yourself sparked the destruction of Red Lake? Food for thought. :)

[Tom B]

In the winter, I like to dump the minnows on the end of the driveway. If I dump them during the day, it takes less than 30 minutes of the crows to find them. It's kind of entertaining.

Tom B

[Fishingdog]

I too think you need to take a chill pill. Although I agree with you that dumping the "wrong" baitfish back into a body of water, could cause problems, the baitfish do not compete with the fingerlings on the level as you suggest. The only real hazard is the "bad" minnows introduced to the system.

Just like weeds on the trailer, the uneducated ones are the people causing the problems and that is why the regulations are established. Use your head and if all did the same, we would not have a problem...by the way, sticklebacks don't survive well in lakes.

[gonfishn95]

I believe in some states it is illegal to dump minnows back into water. Just a recollection reading somewhere, I too agree dump on ground takes crows short time to find, even where I dump on ground in downtown area where I store boat. I agree if you told him not to dump, he should have listened. By the way how do crows find so quick. I have seen them in less than 10 mins on minnows.

[bad minnow]

Better not use the minnows for bait then, they might come unhooked, you might miss a bite that allows the minnow to escape. If you are worried about "bad" minnows getting into the system why use them for bait?

[John in Mn]

Dumping bait in Minnesota waters is illegal. Mostly of concerns for transporting invasive species in the water such as zebra muscles and millfoil.

I agree with the original poster. I really don't want to hook into a 10 pound rosy red at any point in the future.

[gonfishn95]

When is the last time you used a stickle back for bait?
I have heard of guys using them, 1 MINNOW getting off of hook compared to let see 5 doz left at end of day, and as john pointed out it is illegal.

[Fibtat]

What are you guys,all rich? They don't give them away around here and,at times,are hard to find.They are easily kept as long as the water doesn't freeze.I've got 6 week old fatheads now that will live until they become part of the walleye's food chain.

[GRM]

Whatever you do don't let PETA here about this cruel and unusual punishment! Now Daddy is a killer of minnows.

[Rmack]

It appears that what I posted went right over most of your heads. It is not the wounded minnow that gets off the hook that is the concern. It is whats left in that bucket that many fishermen dump in the lakes that is of concern, like sticklebacks and bullheads and any exotic species that may be present.

Every ecosystem is different and can only support so many pounds of fish per acre, and that includes all species. When carp or suckers or any other trash fish establish them selves in a body of water, it subtracts from that equation of game fish. Minnows do compete with fry and fingerling's for forage.

The fishermen that think they are helping the fish in any body of water by dumping there bait bucket at the end of the day are hurting there future fishing. Most natural lakes were originally free of minnows and exotic species, most of these were introduced by man.

It's also illegal,

Ron

[EJ]

You are correct Ron. I always dump minnows to a non-PETA approved wrigglely, freezing on ice death in the winter. Summer time is not so exciting, but ends up smelling more.

EJ

[rspahr]

What if you are using bait that has been caught in the lake you are fishing?

[karpbuster]

Ron,

Thanks for the reminder. Most of the fisherman out there do the same (are responsible and think about the consequences of their actions), but it doesn't hurt to get a reminder.

Thanks,

karpbuster

[Kolby2]

I agree. Why would you use them for bait if you are worried about dumping them down the hole and the resulting consequences? In Michigan, it is against the law to use a species for bait if it is not native to that body of water.

[LundAngler MJ]

I also think maybe this is a bit much. If we lose them off the hook,we could be the "problem"...hmm, I think it's just over-stated. Then this may be the next thing...no live bait in certain areas. My personal preference, is to catch chubs from the waters close to home, where they run into the river or lake I fish.Set a trap the day before. All you want, and move from hole- to hole on the streams and get more than enough.

[WOW]

Why use live baite at all? Ontario does not allow live bait to be brought over from MN. They have a good reason for doing so. Whenever crossing over we kill our bait, and i may add catch alot of fish (smile). Alaways amazes me when guys talk about buying "good lively bait" then go to the lake and stick a hook thru it's head. If it bothers you (sorry PETA) kill the darn things and just go fishing

[VMS]

What bothers me about this guest is that he #1) didn't obey Minnesota law, and #2) he went against your wishes. I agree with your choice to not fish with this guest again.

The other part that is bothersom is that transporting sticklebacks is also illegal for bait handlers if I am not mistaken. They too are considered an invasive species. You as the buyer are not at fault, but pointing it out to your bait dealer should at minimum make him/her raise an eyebrow.

As for fishing without bait, sure you can do that. But if you are fishing with bait, that bait rarely gets off, and then if it does, it is usually injured enough that it will not survive...thus no harm to the system. You dump a bunch of healthy minnows that don't belong in those waters and that could create a problem that does not show up for years.

Steve

[Seaguar]

I dont know anything about the laws regarding sticklebacks, but I do know pikes love em. If I was gonna fish for pike on purpose(not very Likely), I would ask the baitshop guy for the biggest sticklebacks he had. I dont know if they smell good or make a lot of vibration, but when I used to use the things I would always catch pike.

[Seaguar]

I forgot this too. I wouldnt take the guy again either. Anyone who is a guest and purposely goes against your wishes is an idiot, and deserves to stay home with the women. Be it minnows or stealing my Butterfinger. When you are a guest you play by the hosts rules.