Mille Lacs slots fishermen

[Ralph]

I have been spending quite a bit of time on Mille Lacs so far this year and there is something I don't understand. You would have to be from another planet to not know that there are alot of nice fish in the system right now and the majority of them are over the slot. So why do guys come fish it all day, catch and release 50 to 60 walleye, come in and complain about the slot, the lake, the native Americans, the DNR and what ever else they can think of? They know going out what the conditions are, what size the fish are and that they will have to release most of their fish? For the most part it is the same thing as going to Canada and fishing Lac Seul, but guys go do that and pay quite a bit of money to do it! You would think if you wanted a mess of fish to eat you would go to lakes such as Winni, Leech, Lake of the Woods, or even some smaller lakes, chances are that you will catch more fish to eat on these lakes than on Mille Lacs. I understand the resort business and related businesses are suffering, but that is a different subject. The guys I talk with at the access aren't supporting these anyway. Just wondering?????

[FJH1]

After last week I'd go back to Mille Lacs in a heartbeat. That fishery is awesome. Honestly, the last fish I kept for the table was probably two years ago. If a person is going out for a meal, I wouldn't go to Mille Lacs. If you're looking to go on the water for a great time of boating walleyes in the 20" to 26" class with the possible bonus of a meal, by all means hit the waters of Mille Lacs.

Best Regards,

FJH

[fishless]

After fishing there last week, I'd say it ranks with above most Canadian lakes for average size. You can only keep 2 fish a day in Canada anyway (most fisherman should be able to catch a slot or 2 for the table on Mille Lacs). The fishing was great! I'd return in a minute and not keep any.

[tbomn]

Yup, I agree. This fishery is quickly becoming one of the greatest trophy walleye lakes in the nation. The slot imposed by the DNR has all but made this a fact. If you look at the poundage of walleyes that are currently coming out of Mille Lacs, you have to be dead not to believe that it will be under the quota, and yet, we still fish it. That in itself should indicate the movement to a trophy fishery. This lake is no longer a glut of eater, tourist drawing, every cast type of walleye fishing like it was 30 years ago. It now is a every fish is over 20 inch lake, and will continue to be. The businesses on the lake will have to shift gears to accommidate this type of fishing, that or die. The history of the lake, including the native americans, the commercial fishing, the sportfishing, etc, etc, is all there, and yet it is changing and we that fish it will have to adjust. It doesn't do anyone any good to complain about the present situations that exist on the lake, they aren't going to change, we need to learn to live with them. I love/hate this lake, yup, one of those love-hate relationships. I love her when she is good to me, and I hate her when she beats me up, and through it all, I have to respect every inch of the lake, because she is what I do.........

I put them back anyway...........

[FJH1]

I agree, two slots in a day is very possible, and in the mean time you'll have a ton of fun releasing piggies :-).

Best Regards,

FJH

[eyeamdaman]

I agree with all of the previous posts! I would rather catch and release all day with a (good) chance of cathing a trophy than to take a limit home. It's simple, if you want to catch a limit for the frying pan, go to another lake. But if you want the enjoyment of netting a 6lb+ eye, Mille Lacs is the place to be.

[rigs]

These fish are to hungry. None of us are as good as the lake make us look these days. Blue bird skies, ultra cold front conditions, water temps in the forties, walleyes post spawn and still 2 guys will boat 60 fish in a day. Yes, this is awesome it is also due to a very low forage supply.

These tens of thousands of 20 inch plus walleyes plus thousands of 20 inch plus smallmouth and lots of big, big muskie and northerns all need to eat. Has anybody graphed any baitfish? This is great until these fish cannibalize there new year classes for a couple seasons. Study the history of Mille Lacs and you find harvest levels for 20 years are double what they are now. The worst fishing in these years was generally in years with massive small perch year classes. People don't understand that perch also had a large die off last summer, further lowering lake food supplies. Think of it this way, if our grocery stores were never restocked most of the population would eventually starve and most would take to eating when any food was available reguardless of the conditions.

If you believe the numbers by pounds, last year anglers caught and released or harvested just about every fish in the lake.

The group that really controls the safe harvest level ( hint not your MN DNR ) claims that the spawning biomass of walleyes is still low.

Ask your self who's buying resorts on the lake, who benifits if the lake crashes, who sets the numbers on spawing biomass and harvest levels. Does anybody remember what happened on the Missouri River when the forage base went bad? I love Mille Lacs and don't mind catch and release one bit but the lake is out of balance and if it is not corrected the scale will totally tip to one side.

P.S. if you catch a tagged fish please report it, this is very impt. to help determine the real walleye population.

[GM]

First time I fished the lake last week with my son. Didn't catch a slot but what a fishery. We had a blast and I have more nice pictures of 24 to 27 inch walleyes that we caught over the couple days of the tournament than I have taken at any other inland lake. We caught them on rocky points, gravel and the mud flats. At the rate the size of these fish the DNR will be raising the upper limit to one over 30 because we caught several just under 28. Plus we caught 2 great smallmouths 4 and 3 pounds. The water may have still been on the cold side but the way these 2 fish rocketed out of the water repeatedly you would have thought it was the middle of summer. Can't wait to go back again to experience some more great fishing. The muskies appear to be doing well also. You have a great fishery there. No complaints here. CPR!

[David Anderson]

I fish Mille Lacs every week and I will give you my take. The issue with the slot can be very frustrating. Yes, for alot of people the numbers are great. Reality is that it's still relatively few guys compared to the total number of guys that fish Mille Lacs getting 30 walleyes a day. Creel census will show you that the average number of walleyes harvested on Mille Lacs in the past has been 1 per person. If each of these fish were 20" we would be over the quota very quickly. So the result of the slot is that relatively few people are harvesting slot fish of any numbers and the rest are harvesting nothing. You have guys that traditionally go on up, catch a few walleyes, are happy and leave. Those guys are catching fish like they have never done before, see the lake must be full of walleyes and cannot even bring home 1 fish. In laymans terms, it makes no sense.

Mille Lacs has always been a place where a guy could pick up a few walleyes. Leech, Winnie, LOW are too far away and require a greater investment in time. For most, walleyes are not that easy to come by. In addition, catch/release mortality figures are added to the quota. Based on the current catch rate, this could be over 80,000. The more we catch and release, the worse it will get. Most people see this as waste as well.

Personnaly, Mille Lacs is better for me than it has ever been. For alot of guys, including Resorts and baitshops, it's worse. It's turned into an elitest fishery. Us guys with the know how it's great. For the guy that wants a few fish to eat, it's once again the "Dead Sea". Obviously from your observations, we remain in the minority.

[Geno]

Great post Joe, lots of love there for sure !

[ScottL]

We will be fishing Mille Lacs for the first time ever, the last week in June, it's kind of a family reunion. Two years ago we fished LOW. Tough bite only caught enough fish for 1 meal for 6 people. Last year we were on Leech lake, as "luck" LOL would have it, it was the peak of the mayfly hatch and unbearably hot temperatures, results, we caught enough fish for 1 meal for 5 people and brought 3 or 4 fish home.

I would be (as well as the rest of my relatives) happy as heck to catch 40+ fish and only be able to keep enough for 1 meal for 6 people. Action is where it's at for my boat, I usually release any walleyes over 20" anyways.

Regards,

Scott Lee

[PUNCH1]

I am not a fisheries biologist by any stretch of the imagination, but does anyone find it strange that there are very few fish caught in both the slot range and especially over 28". I have caught my fair share of fish in the 20"+ range but have yet to top the 28" mark on Mille Lacs.

I'm not complaining, but it appears that if you want a trophy fishery, you want a trophy fishery. Nothing against 27" fish, but to catch these fish and not be able to keep them and not being able to get one for the wall makes it frustrating for all.

Having said that, I think Mille Lacs is one of the top five fisheries in the Mid-West for numbers of fish in the 20"+ range. I just have not heard a lot about those fish over 30".

Any input?

Pat Wunsch

[wwater]

Pat,

I agree that there are an extraordinary of 20+ fish in the lake but I catch a half dozen fish over 28" each year and I get one over 30 about every other year. There are not as high a percentage of them but there are still more there than most every where else. The weight of these fish does concern me however, the forage base of the lake is very troubleing.


Keep releasing them walleye

[hawg]

in the next few years if the creeks are only full of 20+ fish what do you think will get speared . if they get by spears will they get by the nets. sure its fun to catch big fish, but dont get too used to it because the will be gone soon. move up here, then critisize. why do we have to adjust?

[Ralph]

hawg,
Actually I do live up here, not sure what your points have to do with my original post?

[flatman]

You better bring your fish along with you if you plan on having a meal when your at the lake this year. You will catch plenty of 24,23,22,21,20,19,18 and some 17 & 16 inch fish but remember the slot is 14-16 inch and close doesn't count (make darn sure your using something to measure besides a tape or you'll end up with a ticket) and they are like trying to find the old needle in the hay stack. 6 days on Mille Lacs this year 225-250 fish, 4 slots. The real scary thing is only a dozen or so were under the slot.

Planning a family fish fry myself for Memorial day and these 4 slots wouldn't do the job so 6 of us ran to winnie today 36 walleyes from 14 to 16 inches in 7 hours. Released about 20 fish over 16 inches, biggest was 24.

Mashed Potatoes, Cream Corn and Crispy fried 15 inch walleyes with tartar sauce, just can't wait for Monday!

[steve]

Ralph, I think he is refering to the fact that the bands want to commerical fish the lake. I don't know for sure if they were able to sell their fish they harvested this spring, but I know they did make a request to be able to. Does anybody know if they were allowed to commerically sell walleyes from Mille Lacs this year? Being a sovereign nation they probally could do this if they want to with or without authorization.

[bump]

bump

[Borch]

No arguing the fact that Mille Lacs is a great place to catch a lot of nice walleyes. I would argue however that it's a fishery in great shape. There is currently a glut middle aged to old walleye that make up the population. This is the second year of (who knows how many) of targeting one or two year classes of fish for removal. Do this for 2-5 years and you have a few bad years down the road. Do this long term and this lake is in trouble. As the older fish become less prolific spawners and eventually die off. What is going to replace them? We keep eliminating year classes(with the current slot). Less food, aging fish population, young year classes being basicly removed, equals??????

Enjoy the lake while you can. If things don't change soon we'll be talking dead sea again. The lake will be known as a great smallmouth and muskie lake(maybe).

[Pitts]

Hey maybe the crappies will explode in population:)
I agree they are great to fish and I really don't need to take fish home but to quit targeting certain size fish my idea is to go to total length of fish kept and then set that at like 35" per fisherman and you would see a better variety of age groups removed.
We had a great day out last tuesday catching 30 fish and 2 were in the slot lots of fun and still some to eat if wanting to.


Pitts

[Barry]

Ralph, put it this way, and let the resort owners know too. I am coming to Mille Lacs now, because it is such a great fishing experience. Actually don't plan on harvesting any fish, regardless of their size. Oops, take that back, 31" or larger will go on the wall, but I don't expect it.

There are several slot lakes in Minnesota, none of them are dead seas, actually most are similar experiences to Mille Lacs. I don't harvest from any of them. But I search out all of them for a great time fishing, and releasing.

If I want to eat, I'll go to Ohae and harvest everything I catch to a limit.

As close to having an issue with how Mille Lacs is run deals with netting. Usually I will harvest whatever I can on any body of water that allows nets. Laws don't allow on Mille Lacs though.

Resorts should be rejoicing, they may have to adjust their approach, but they have a great experience to sell their customers.

[Muskie Treats]

Being a muskie fisherman I enjoy reading what the other side has to say about their fishing and fishing ethics/practices. I'm actually impressed with how progressive most people who posted here are on the topic of catch and release. Most muskie fishermen look as walleye fishermen mainly as "meat hunters" blaming everything else for poor fishing but their fishing skills and their own harvest practices.

We as a muskie community also see the current situation and are a bit worried. Not only is the perch population down, but so are the ciscos. Trust me when I say a 5lb walleye will take a 1lb cisco as easily as it'll take a little leech. We regularly catch 28"+ walleyes in a season of muskie fishing. But back to the point, the muskie fishing in Millac is better then 99% of all the lakes out there. We even think the next state (and possibly world record) will come from there within the next 2-3 years. What we're afraid of is that this will all come with a price.

What we all have to realize is that you can't have it both ways: numbers and quality of fish vs. liberal harvest. On the muskie side, WI had a low size limit for years and years (it just got changed this off season) and they have nothing but small fish in their system (compared to the rest of their range.) Also, larger fish need to eat more in order to function whether it be walleye, muskie, bass, or whatever.

As progressive as most were in their posts, I noticed a few people whinning that they catch tons of fish with nothing to eat! It sounds downright crazy to me!

Think about how much you spend fishing: Boat (est $15,000 low avg,) tackle& rods ($1500 low avg) and other misc ($1500 low average for a season) and you have a ton of money spent. I don't know about you, but I would argue that the act of CATCHING walleyes far outweights the benefits of EATING them. If all walleye fishermen were interested in was eating them, then I'd bet you could sure buy a lot of fish for the price of that new rig.

Do I think that everyone should through everything back. Heck no!!!! But I sure come across MANY walleye guys that define a successful fishing trip by how may helpings they eat. Something to think about though: why are their a VERY limited number of slot fish being caught? They've more then likely been harvested.

I love fishing for all fish, and I do at times harvest some for consumption, but I do hate to hear people bashing the best quality walleye fishery in the state because they can't keep anything.

I know that I'll be getting flamed by many of you, and most of it will come from people who think I'm attacking their fishing culture. But I think that if you READ EVERYTHING I've said here and take some (maybe many) poorly fraised ideas with a grain of salt, you'll probably fined it (hopefully) interesting to hear from a different point of view.

-Shawn

P.S. I do think there will be problems with the walleye population in the long term if the continued harvest practice of eliminating entire year classes of fish continues.

[PW]

Excellent posts and interesting discussion...keep it going!

[Tom B]

Excellent post Shawn. I also primarily fish muskies and have made some of the same comparisons...

The thing that I read in an earlier post that gets me is the "elitest fishery." I don't get that. Why is it elitest to take a family out and catch and release 50-100 walleyes, but family fishing to catch and kill crappies, sunnies or a limit of walleyes. I have found that kids have as much fun releasing fish as they do catching them, PLUS, it helps to teach good sportsmanship and a release ethic that will last their entire lives. What's elitest about that???

For the life of me, I don't get why people that catch big fish are elitest.

Tom B

Oh yea, my youngest prefers carp fishing, because she says that walleyes, sunnies and the rest are too small and don't fight hard enough and carp are easier to catch. Is she elitest??

[JAG]

I'm not sure if it is just that luck is on my side or what but, so far this season the fish I have been catching have been about 40% slot's. Last Friday evening my son and I went out to our favorite spot on the east side and in 2 hours we had 7@16" and 1@14". The weekend before, up on the NE sand, it was not quite as good but caught a 27", a 25" and cleaned 3 slots. One thing we did notice last weekend was the Perch were starting to bite and several small Walleyes less than 12" were caught.

[Weekend Warrior]

Yes the Fishing has been great on Mille Lacs. On my last trip on Thursday (late afternoon) last week in near winter conditions my brother and I netted 19 with 4 in the slot 2 or 3 under a couple that were 16.5 a some 18's and the rest over 20. There are slot fish out there and fish under and just over the slot, just maybe the DNR knows what they are doing, I said maybe.

Fish On! get the net mike.

[zoygot]

Since you said you "netted" you must be one of our fine american indian friends. Try fishing the regualr way with line and hook and see how many in the slot and under the slot you catch you catch. I would give this lake 2 more years before it is the "dead sea". Better get up there and fish for your big ones quick, they can't live on nothing for long. There was no perch bite this year, which probably means the walleye, norhterns and muskies got a lot of them. Again, hard for the big ones to live on nothing.

[zoygot]

How will the crappie population explode when they become the only forage for the bigger fish?

[Willie]

I have a very good source that is a fisheries biologist for the DNR in South Dakota and he says Mille Lacs is in fine shape. What he says is happening and it has happened in the past is that some of the forage fish, mainly perch have had a couple of bad spawning years in a row. The walleyes main forage on Mille Lacs is young of the year perch and ciscoes. The forage fish go through cycles just as game fish do and the DNR realizes this. What the DNR can't do is predict when this is going to happen. The DNR can't go changing the whole fisheries management strategy for the whole lake because of a couple of bad years of forage fish spawning. If the forage fish had a good spawn this year there may not be a problem with forage in the next couple years. The real problem is the Natives netting, if they had to quit netting we wouldn't be having these discussions.

[David Anderson]

Tom,

My elitest point tends to be somewhat more complicated than making a comparision to your daughter and carp. I relate it more to traditional fishing expectations (which are changing), skill level, and the amount of dollars spent on technology, boats, etc to obtain that skill level. Your's and my motivation for fishing isn't absolute and people fish for many reasons. To catch and release a lot of fish, to catch a few for dinner, to catch a trophy, to get away from it all, and yes to catch alot of fish and eat a lot of fish. None of us need to agree on the motivations, and if fact some of them need changing, but when tight slots exclude many people who don't have the skill to bad, just go somewhere's else, just not on my lake. This is all fine and dandy, except the issue with the slots on Mille Lacs has nothing to do with typical reasons for fish management. As stated I love it. The Indians are my best friends. Net your whole allotment, please. DNR, make Mille Lacs a catch and release only. You guys that want to catch a meal, go to Minnetonka, it's closer anyway and you can always catch some bass to eat.

Believe me fishing was great last summer. Plenty of parking at the landings, no one on my spots. I just think that calling people crazy because they have different issues is wrong. I can guarantee you that there are valid critics of the huge amount of catch and release going on today, and think we are crazy. You want to see whining, just put a limit on what you can actually bring to the boat because someone thinks hook mortality is way to high.

Also, I agree with Shawns post and he's correct. I would agree that the motivation for a musky guy is much different than one that fishes walleye, however the same is true for all species.

[Tom B]

Hey, hey, hey,

Thanks for the reply. The "elitest" thing is one of my pet peeves. Whenever anyone talks about adding more muskie lakes in Minnesota, someone jumps up and starts yelling about how that will destroy "family fishing" and only leave room for the elitests. And you are correct, it all boils down to motivation. I used to sell boats, and routinly met people that said they would quit fishing if they could not keep a limit to eat. Generally, I don't have a problem with needing to keep fish (we only keep fish in the winter), so going to a 100% C&R fishery is not a problem for me.

I do have a problem with people that think that if you cannot keep fish, you are destroying "family fishing." I would argue that more young people will catch more big fish on Mille Lacs this year than in a very long time annnnnnd have a ton of fun doing it. Nothing wrong with that.

Tom B

PS My yougest daughter and I have been "chewed out" by other shore fisherman for releasing carp, that irritated me even more than the elitest tag.

[Weekend Warrior]

Sorry you interpeted my slang for netting walleyes like the Indians. My brother and I caught with a line, one hook a person 19 walleyes with 4 in the slot. From my boat seat I think the Lake might be in good shape, but I am no biologist.

[Muskie Treats]

I know I shouldn't respond to what willie said about the Native Americans netting, but what the heck!

There would still be a slot on Mille Lac even if there wasn't the netting going on. From the last numbers I looked at (they could be old), fishermen take fish 3-1 over what's netted.

Now if you look at how good the fishing has been with MANY people catching what would be limits of fish, you'd see the walleye population crash. I've got friends that have gone out on consecutive nights and had 60-80 fish nights! Now if they're doing it (and their not that good) I have to believe that there are a lot of people doing it.

So lets pretend that the native americans don't net and the DNR held Mille Lac in step with the state regs. People would be pulling 4-5 times the fish out of that system that they currently are. This would add to fewer fish in the system which would decrease the catch of the average fisherman.

This all goes back to the arguement: is fishing worth it if you can't keep them? That's up to each and every one of you to determine for yourselves. I personally could care less what you find fun and I'm not going to preach CPR. That's everyones right are a MN citizen that purchases a fishing license.

I think that the slot limit is here to stay and the sooner everyone accepts it and goes on with their life, the better we'll all be.

-Treats

P.S. I thought you post was good, I just don't agree with the netting issues.

[Rob]

I had my son up on Mille Lacs on the 31st of May caught a lot of nice fish. 4 were under the slot and 20 were over the slot, all had to be released. Spent $15.00 on bait 50.00 on gas to get there and what I used on the water and 8.00 to land the boat. $73.00 and not one keeper.
My son was a little frustrated and so was I, because we like to eat Walleye and it just doesn’t seem fair. Had fun can't deny that, but there is still something wrong when can't even take home a fresh fish sandwich. Some of the guys who responded to this subject must work for the DNR.

[james_walleye]

Heres an idea....lets make Mille Lacs the same as the rest of Minnesota so you can keep a limit of eyes with 1 over 24". We can watch everyone and there grandma go out in the morning and bring in 12 eyes all over 20"....and dont forget 2 of those fish will probably be over 25"... and then go out later in the day and do the same thing. Lets watch hundreds of boats a day smoke limits of eyes over 20". Hey then in 5 years we can all talk here on walleyecentral about how great the fishing used to be.

[Ralph]

Rob,
You are a perfect example of why I started this post in the first place. My question to you is the same as original post. Why did you go to Mille Lacs and spend the money when you know that there is a tight slot and chances of catching and taking fish home is very slim and then end up disappointed?

[Rob]

Ralph
In the first place I feel the same as some other fisherman, I hope most, in that I don't need to take a limit home. A couple of fresh fish to eat is just fine. But, like someone else on this post said, what if the DNR said there was too much mortality on fish that are released so no more fishing on Mille Lacs. Where would you go? Lets face it Mille Lacs has been pounded for years before this Treaty crises started. And there were still enough big fish caught. Not as many by today standards, but still you could go there and catch a few to eat and still have a chance at a trophy. There should be a way the DNR can work out some thing that could make just about everyone somewhat happy, I don’t think this is the case right now! I think I speak for the majority of fisherman who love to fish this lake, and the Resort owners!!

Rob

[punch1]

I never wanted to get involved in these hot and never-ending debates but here's my two-cents. This debate will never ne resolved. Why? because there are two distinct group of fishermen out there. The ones who fish and like to take a couple home for the pan and the ones who just like to fish and don't have a problem with not being able to take any home as long as they are catching fish. It's that simple.

I happen to fit in the later category but only because I don't really care for fish other than the occasional Friday night haddock fry. If I liked fish more it may be a different story. That being said, it's my opinion that there are very few lakes like Mille Lacs where a guy can go out and, not just once but on a regular basis, catch some very decent size fish. If you opened up the slots, it becomes almost like any other lake. There's a reason you don't catch a lot of slot fish or ones over 28" and that's because people can and do keep those fish. Open it up and the the fish in that range would become just as hard to come by.

I live in Central Wisconsin and take the five hour jaunt over there a couple times a year to take advantage of the fishery on Mille Lacs.
I sure as heck wouldn't drop the money I do on gas/licenses/bait/food/and lodging if it became just another typical fishery. God knows we have enough typical fisheries here in Wisconsin. At least the WI DNR is beginning to play with slots on some of the waters here. Maybe it'll work maybe not, but it's better than the status quo which happens to be catching all the 14 3/4" walleye you want when the limit was 15"! Go figure. Hey it's just my opinion. I don't expect to change anyone's mind nor will you change mine.

Patrick Wunsch

"You should have been here last week!"

[Dave in Mpls]

Rob-

If you start trying to figure out how much money you spend vs. how many lbs of fish you can take home, you gonna take up golf before long. You forgot to add in the cost/trip of your boat, tow vehicle, maintenace, insurance, etc, etc! What the heck, you caught a bunch of nice fish and, better yet, got to enjoy a day on the water with your son! Next time, spend $93 and stop by the grocery on your way home and buy a couple nice fillets!

Regards

[Eyecrosser]

Dave in Mpls,

Couldn't agree with you more. Don't these people know what there getting into before they leave home? Just in case anyone doesn't already know, no fish can be taken under 14" or over 16", with one allowed over 28". If you don't like it, go to Gull in Brainerd!!!

[Fish_on]

If we did that, the fishing will be better in five years than if we keep doing what we are doing now. We are destroying the lake and it makes me sick because we are managing it with politics instead of biology. We need to keep more fish until the forage can recover. And we need to do it now before they get any worse. The walleyes are so skinny and malnourished now it's truly sickening.

[Dave in Mpls]

What Eyecrosser says is true - very tight slot, plus the fishing has been marginal at best. I'd just go to a different lake if I were them :)

Give me a break!!

Regards

[FJH1]

Hey Dave, let's see, you and I fished together on Mille Lacs for several days (did we ever even catch a slot?) I fished the other several days and only caught 1 slot. During the tournament Rudy and I caught a total of 5 slots. I think I spent $120 on boat gas and oil, maybe another $100 on vehicle gas, about $400 on lodging, a couple hundred on meals, $150 on bait/tackle, loosened up 2 rivets on the boat... I'll tell ya I can't wait to get back up there, the fishing was awesome, just don't go there if you're looking to fill the freezer. (I'm working on punching in the waypoints from the maps and then I'll get them off to ya).

Best Regards,

FJH

[eye1]

While I have to agree that the fishing has been nothing short of awesome the last couple of years I don't feel that the lake is being managed based on biological factors . I have no problem with tight slot limits as I rarely keep anything anyway unless its during a tourney . However, the DNR is being forced to manage the lake based on politics not on biology and in the long run this could lead to problems . Whats happening right now is that we are basically eliminating a specific year class or two in order to fit into a court ordered poundage range . These 14" - 16" that we are eliminating now are our 20" - 22" fish in a couple of years . What happens when we target the same age year classes year after year ? If we constantly harvest the same aged fish every year, sooner or later we will have very few fish that get beyond that age range . Why not make the slot a little broader so that we don't target the same aged fish every year . I would think a limit that would consist of 1 fish in the 14"-16" range , 1 fish in the 16"-18" , 1 fish in the 18"-20" range and one over a certain size or something similar to that . More complicated ? no doubt, my geuss is that it would also go over the court ordered poundage but at least we wouldn't be wiping out the same age group year after year . Personally I really don't care what the slot is , I'll keep spending time on the lake I geuss I just want to see it managed for biological reasons as opposed to politcal ones.

As for tourneys on the big lake , frustrating , very frustrating .

Now ,let me tell you the story about the little one that got away..............!!!!!!!!

[james_walleye]

Eye1 i have asked myself the same question. But the same answer always pops into my head. The slot the last couple years has targeted fish in the 14-18" range. Well in my expierences the last year i have caught so many fish just over 18" up to 20" that i come up with 1 conclusion. Those "just over 18"ers up to 20"ers have survived a couple years of slot harvest....so why shouldnt the fish that are targeted now make it. I dont think in a lake like Mille Lacs you can even come close to wiping out a year class population.

[Paul Myrdahl]

I have been fishing on Mille Lacs Quite a Bit in the last 15 years or so. The fishing has been pretty good in during most of this time. This spring I have fished the lake 11 days since the season opened. The fishing has been fabulous. I have never caught so many 20"+ fish. It is bitter sweet though. Most every fish I catch that is over 24 inches are very sickly looking. There is not much fight in them, they are skinny, a number of them have tumors or some thing, the skin is peeling away from their fins, all but one of 27" fish we caught you could see the skeletal frame in their heads. They remind me of a starving Bass I caught in my uncle's farm pond 2 years back. The fish ( approximately 22") was caught on lake fork and released in the pond about a month prior to me catching it. Their was no forage in the farm pond except maybe a couple frogs and some small aquatic insect. The 27" walleyes from Mille lacs resembled this malnourished Bass in every way, even the color of the fish were the same. I've read post stating that the poor condition of these fish was from spawning. I don't agree. I have never caught fish that were this sickly looking in my life on Mille lacs or any other lake. Plus the fact that June seems more than an adequate amount of time for these fish to recover from spawning. I you ask me these fish are starving. Not even bright sunlight on windless days slows the bite on this lake.
I'd also like to say that the crowds of, as many of you would say, meat takers are non existent when compared to years past. I'm sure many of the local fisherman and the Trophy fisherman are very happy with the lack of crowds. Many post in here show their disdain for crowded boat landings and crowded favorite fishing spots, etc. It seems as if they think the lake is here for their pleasure only. The resort owners, well, I can only imagine how they feel. Many family vacations have moved elsewhere. I know one personally who bought resort about 10-15 years back with dreams of retiring on the great lake a turning the resort over to his children. I over heard him say last winter " one more season like last summer and I'm sure I'll have to sell." Sell to who? I guess the Indians. They would be the only ones who might be interested. Some say the resort owners need to adapt. Adapt to what? catering to the whims of a few Trophy hunters compared to the base of costumers they were once used to. I don't see how the many resorts can compete for this small base of clientele and still stay afloat. Many I'm afraid most will and are perishing.
Something needs to change on this lake. Do I get into the Indian netting debate? It's hard not to when talking about this lake. Here's my "Opinion". Are Indians netting to save their heritage? The use of modern technology can attest to the fact that they are not. Are they Netting for profit? I hardly think so. If it were about money I think the Indians would want as many people fishing the lake as possible in order to entice them with the lure of winning big at the Casino. I'm afraid, and remember it's only my Opinion, the Indians are netting on this great lake out of spite. They hate what happened many years ago and they are trying to make you and I pay for our forefathers actions.

That’s my 2 cents worth.

[Rob]

Paul you couldn’t have said it better!!! Thanks

[rangerrandy]

I don't want to sound bitter, but I agree with Paul. Maybe the fish may be a bit bigger, but at what cost? Last weekend everthing caught was either 21,23,25,27, and one 31 in. Granted these were nice fish and fun to catch but this is 2001. What will my grandkids catch in 2010? I wholeheartedly agree will CAR, but with an almost impossible slot people will go elsewhere. I never thought I would argue over catching big fish, but let the average guy take a couple fish for the pan. Increase the slot lower the limit and make the fishermen and resort owners happy!!

[Eyecrosser]

You better check your calander. I believe it's 2002, but I've been wrong before.

[Hawgeye]

I don't plan to add any more to this debate except to explain why I like to keep a few fish. I love to catch many and big fish as much as the next guy. When growing up, my father taught me to enjoy fishing for more than just the "catching". In fact, if it was only for "Catching", I doubt I would be as fanatic as I am about fishing.

When we were going out on a fishing excursion, it started days before with preparing the boat, getting the tackle boxes ready, making sure the gas was full and the batteries charged as well making sure all of the equipment passed inspection.

The night before, we would put together our lunch by assembling just the right food for the trip. We would pack our cloths and get ready. That was fun and exciting in anticipation.

We then would go together to the bait store and pick out just the right bait. In fact, he even would teach me which box of crawlers or what size minnows to use.

The day of, we would drive to the lake, dock the boat and get everything in the right place for a successful day of fishing.

When the day was over, in the event that we had some success, we would prepare the catch for transport by cleaning dressing and icing the fillets.

The next opportunity, we would get together with the family and enjoy our reward of a successful fishing trip by having a meal of fish that was fit for a king! I can remember making sure that I got to eat the fish that I caught. It was my closure to a wonderful and exciting trip. I want to be able to pass that on to my children. In fact, I do it with my son already.

With all of that being said, times have changed. My son is learning selective harvest. Now we have added the "measure" to the ritual of our fishing day. That is great but this long winded explaination has a purpose. Without that final reward of enjoying a meal at the end of a trip, it would not be the same. Just my little tidbit of information about why I feel the slot limit could stand to be relaxed a little. Again, I am all for catching more and bigger fish, I just want the option of enjoying a meal that has been a ritual since I was learning to love fishing.

[firetiger]

thats the point, it sucks that you are basicaly being forced to go to those other lakes to get any kind of fish to eat. i personaly could care less about catching 40 or 50 walleye with that one chance to snag a big one. i would much rather fish all day and catch 6 or 8 fish and be able to keep every one. Now everyone knows that opinions very but i grew up on that lake, just blows that now we are being forced basically to go to those other lakes, mind you, i dont keep everything that is caught but the slot should at least be a little more forgiving. i would not think of cutting up a 4 or 5 lb walleye, but come on you have to admit those 17 to 19 inchers are mighty tasty.
i think i vented enough, and just one more thing, the only reason that i say keeping some fish for the table is nice is because i am a tournament fisherman, so i basicaly practice c/r in every tourny.so when i am leasure fishing i sure dont want to haul my kids up way up north for a day of fishing, they should be able to experience the good times i had growing up on millacs.

[Why?]

do everyone a favor...take your $73.00 and go to the market and buy some walleye fillets. People can buy fish to eat -- fish for the sport. The more big fish there are to catch -- the better the game.