Slot on Mille lacs is too strong!!!

[EAGLE EYES]

I don't think the slot on Mille Lacs is reflecting the fish size abundance very well. I can't find more than one out of ten eyes that are small enough to keep. So in other words, go ahead Indians have your stupid pond! I use to love the lake, now it sucks. It's nice to be able to keep a few eaters once in a while. With the high cost of fishing nowadays why the ##### can't I keep an 18 1/4" fish, that's what is in the lake!! 20" slot was plenty stricked enough. 14-18" is ridiculous!!!!

[JKJ]

I agree. Not to mention those 19 inch gut hooked fish that become fish food!

I would be very happy to see a 3 fish limit with one over 20".

[night_eyes]

I've had buddies say the same thing. This is what i tell them...you know when you go up there what the situation is. If ya want to bring home eaters than dont go there. Its as simple as that. There are enough other good lakes around where you can go catch fish to bring home. I guess personally i love it. I love knowing i can drive a couple hours to a lake and know im going to catch a bunch of fish over 20" and have a great shot at a really big one. Just imagine all those 18-22"ers going back and how big they will be in a couple years. I wish they would put some limits like that on some of the lakes around my home. I just view it as a "designated trophy lake".

[Fishy]

I agree with nite-eyes. Where I fish its hard to find a fish that is 14" let alone a 20". The game and fish put on a slot limit there too and I'm more than happy to follow along with the slot limit. Just my two cents worth. Fishy

[rd]

I agree with your post and will even go further. I wouldn't mind seeing Mille Lacs go completely catch and release except for 1 over 28". It is a pleasure to fish a lake like this. If you want eaters go somewhere else, you want an experiance fish Mille Lacs.

[perchboy]

I like the idea of being able to go to Mille Lacs and have it a "designated trophy lake", but we're forgetting something.....without opening a HUGE can of worms here.....there's always that little law that let's the indians go in the and net. Can you say Red Lake!!!!!!!!

[perchboy]

I like the idea of being able to go to Mille Lacs and have it a "designated trophy lake", but we're forgetting something.....without opening a HUGE can of worms here.....there's always that little law that let's the indians go in the and net. Can you say Red Lake!!!!!!!!

[perchboy]

I like the idea of having a "designated trophy lake" to go to, but we're forgetting one small detail.....without opening a HUGE can of worms.....there's that little law that still lets the indians go in and net the heck out of the thing. Can you say RED LAKE!!!

[night_eyes]

Correct me if im wrong...but Red Lake was total commercial fishery. No limits....no restrictions...they were able to net year round as much as they wanted werent they??

[EAGLE EYES]

Okay Yeah, I can go somewhere else and fish. That's not the point I'm trying to get across. The fact is this: 1) I don't like the fact that the general public needs to be punished so the Indians can keep netting the lake. 2) There are plenty of trophy eyes in Mille yet. 3) The 20" slot was plenty low enough to maintain the Walleye population. 4)The 18-20" eyes are perfect Eaters,& are the vast majority. 5) designing the lake for trophy's only is fine, but doing it for some and not for others is not democracy.

[Eyez]

There's no reason why those fish should become fish food. People just have to quit being cheap and cut the line when a fish is hooked deep, and it'll live just fine. Hooks aren't that expensive.


Eyez

[EAGLE EYES]

I forgot to add: If you design the lake for (trophy's only) you will only be doing it to the public, because you will never get the Indians to quit there so called heritage.

[Eyez]

Maybe I'm sticking my foot in my mouth here, but 14-18 isn't that strict, we have several lakes here in SD that are like that. Sharpe is 15 min. one over 18, waubay and bitter are 16 min, one over 20. I realize that it's different cause we can keep one big fish, but the alternative in our case is that we can't find one in 10 fish that's big enough to get a leech in it's mouth. That's what we used to have. I don't know all the specifics, and I don't fish mille lacs, but those 18-24 inch fish are the prime breeding stock, they need a chance to get through their prime. I'm not going to go into the commercial netting, because I think just about all of us are against it, but keep one thing in mind: DNR does what they think is best for the resource, and if they say the lake needs it, who are we as fisherman to second guess them? Certainly not trained wildlife biologists. So it's a little strict, it's better than not strict enough. There are too many factors involved, maybe there was a poor year class the last couple years, maybe there isn't enough forage this year, and they're trying to protect those fish more than normal. If GFP would have put a stricter regulation on Oahe a few years ago, it would have protected all those big females when there was no smelt run. Everyone would have complained about it being too strict, but then we'd still have all those big fish wouldn't we.

Like I said I don't know all the specifics, and maybe what I'm saying doesn't really even apply to mill lacs, but my point is that it's nice to see our wildlife management in these states being a little proactive, instead of waiting till the fish are gone to put stricter regs on a lake. Does anyone know why the stricter slot was put in place? I'd be curious to see why they did it.


Sorry this got so long... Food for thought anyway I guess.


Eyez

[night_eyes]

If the 20" limit was good enough to keep the walleye population where the DNR wants it to be then they wouldnt have changed it would they have? And yes there are plenty of trophy walleyes in the lake yet..key word being yet. Im sorry but the majority of 18-20" walleyes are females and are tomorrows prime breeding stock. If that lake was open to keep those the lake may not being able to hold up to what it is now and that is im sure why the DNR has put the slot limit where it is. Its a lot easier to replace a 15" walleye than a 20" walleye in the population..especially on Mille Lacs where the growth rate is not really good.

[RMB]

Very well said! The fishery at Milacs is a complex one, based on year class fish, forage base, #'s and average size fish being removed by the Indians as well as Sport fisherman, among other issues only the biologists working with fisheries understand. I am just really thankful that we as Minnesotans have next to Canada probably the best fishery and wildlife management in the country. I am glad to think that when I'm retired I'll still be able to go out with my Grandkids (hopefully...lol) and show them what it's like to catch some nice fish. My hats off to em'! Tight lines!

[EAGLE EYES]

I'm not not saying that the MN. DNR doesn't know how to manage fisheries, because I think they generally do a pretty good job. The reasons behind this new slot limit, does not have much to do with anything except forcefullness. In that I mean the DNR was forced to grant Indians there wish by the court system. Sportmen this year will take about half as much as last year and the Indians will take about double what they did last year. Sounds like real good biological studies to me!!!!!!! It's just not right!!! Sorry to be so nasty about this issue, but I can't stand watching the public get walked on because of something that happened so many years ago. Stupid treaty that is.

[Eyez]

I agree with you there. I think that at some point, we have to just say that the gov't has paid it's dues for it's past wrongs, and quit making special laws for different groups of people. Anyone care to fill me in on the red lake/netting issue? it seems that after red lake was wiped out, the gov't just let them move to a different lake. What next? Winnie? Leech? I don't know all the specifics, but that bothers me too, just like canadian gill nets bother me. We can't do much about the canadian issue right now, but maybe there's something we can do about the rest of it. Now I'm not against the federal gov't making it's wrongs right, but do we allow it at the expense of resources that the whole population uses? Who does the lake belong to? recreational fisherman? the government? the native americans? So the gov't screwed up a hundred years ago, make it right, and be done with it. I'm probably not making many friends with this, but I think that dues should be paid, and it should be done. Not drug out for a few hundred more years. I realize that Native Americans have a different culture that they're desperately trying to save, but how many tons of walleyes is it going to take to do the job? Do casinos and commercial fishing really help save their culture and history? Maybe the government needs to go about this a little differently.

Please don't take this as though I'm attacking anyone, I'm not, that's just the way I see it.

Eyez

[old man]

Do you guys have to start crying about this again, every year this crying starts. Get over it and go fish one of your other 10,000 lakes.
Leave this board for better fishing subjects than your great Mille Lacs lake.

[EAGLE EYES]

What tribe are you from Ojibway? or Do you just like letting people walk all over you. I give up! You people just don't get it. I'm Done, it's off my chest and I feel better now.

[old man]

NO I'm not from the Ojibway. But this crying gets old!! I'm sure you have better things to talk about than this subject. Try talking about catching some eyes and etc...maybe more people will listen and respond. People bashing is not the way to go!!

[Byron]

I totally agree with you EYES, even @ .30 cents a hook you should be able to cut the line, while fishing out of a $25,000 boat. The wife wines about retieing all the time, I tell her, just don't give them much line!

[Byron]

I totally agree with you EYES, even @ .30 cents a hook you should be able to cut the line, while fishing out of a $25,000 boat. The wife wines about retieing all the time, I tell her, just don't give them much line!

[Harry]

I was on Mille lacs this last weekend, what a joke not being able to keep any fish cause they were all over 18 inches. The Indians are no differant than anybody else, I hope next time they are out netting there boat goes down and all the firewater lovin ###### goe down with it.
Good fishin to all.

[old man]

I hope you DIE in a boat accident too. There how's that!! Maybe your family is with you too.

[Stever]

Fortunately "old man", this website is designed to "air" various opinions, including yours. It's unfortunate that the last two entries were made; but its obvious that people feel strongly about this subject.

Those of us who enjoy and respect the sport of fishing on one of Minnesota's premier walleye lakes are simply frustrated with the slot limits. I didn't read into "EAGLE EYES's" or "eyez's" posts as crying, I think they were expressing their views. Considering the vast majority of us pay $$ for our annual fishing license and bucho $$ in state taxes, I think we have a right to express our opinions...whether you like them or not.

May I respectfully suggest you pass over this subject? It is clear you will not be swaying us to your viewpoint.

[RED]

STEVER WELL SAID!!! OLD MAN GET A GRIP, READ WHAT EAGLE EYES WAS SAYING. SOME GUYS JUST DON'T GET IT AND NEVER WILL. RED

[EYE_GUIDE]

Every year the DNR set up public meetings around the State looking for input. I suggest that those concerned with the issue attend one of them, and air their complaints. The DNR also has a website where questions can be asked and answered. I have used it quite a bit, and have been happy with their response time. Not always with the responses, but at least you know what it is they are thinking, and why certain decisions are made. I too have passionate feelings on this whole Mille Lacs issue, but I know that name calling and threats never accomplish anything except add fuel to the anti's arguments. If we cannot get along as a group, how can anyone take us seriously when we try to get laws changed or made?

[FLAPJACK]

I live on this lake and fish it every couple days.I can't even catch enough for a meal.As far as a trophy lake, if you are looking for a trophy now is the time to go.In a few years there won't be enough trophies to go around.I've wathed the tribes pull their nets and the nets don't know size limits. It is a shame to live on such a walleye factory lake and have to fish elsewhere to put fish on the table.

[Scott Richardson]

Overlooking the few, yet obvious racist comments in this thread, the issue still remains a good one. The DNR obviously has a huge challenge to manage the harvest to maintain a strong walleye sport fishery given the requirements of the courts. Resentments are bound to grow when innocent people have to make sacrifices to undo a little bit of the wrongs of past generations. Trying to balance interests so everyone is totally pleased is often impossible. A little understanding goes a long way.

The question becomes, why do we fish? Is it the challenge of finding them and figuring out how to catch them? Is it to take a few fillets home from time to time? Probably a bit of both for most of us. But, going elsewhere for walleye fillets, including a market, or catching a few equally-good panfish to enhance a world-class trophy walleye fishery doesn't seem like that big a deal. With a camera and a taxidermist who can make graphite reproductions, most walleye anglers are accepting the need to release even the big ones.

That of course if only one person's opinion. I am only glad the courts don't return all the lands formerly belonging to the American Indians to them. I would have to book a flight to Ireland. And, I wouldn't be alone.

[night_eyes]

I dont like the netting either. Hey if they want to live back 150 years then when they go out netting they should use nets they've sewn up and go out in birchbark conoes and use no artificial lights. But you guys...despite the netting...go back and look at some of these posts. People are actually complaining because of all things...they are catching too many..big fish? Too many 20"+ fish? Stop and think fellas...pretty nice problem to have isnt it?? It could be 180 degrees and you could be complaining about catching too many
13 1/2"ers which is the case on many lakes. I fish the lake quite a bit...and every time i've been on fish. I've always been able to scrap up a couple fish in that slot to take home and eat. Not always a limit..but always enough fillets to make more than a meal. True we have to deal with netting..but at least we have a DNR thats dealing with the issue and keeping our resourse at a world class level.

[schaefer]

If you don't like the topic of this post, don't read it and don't respond to it! Easy fix for you, and you don't have to tell others what they should talk about. Treaty Rights are a topic that should concern every sportsman and woman in the U.S. Seems to me that a few years back when I was living on the east coast, I read that a tribe sued claiming that they had the rights to almost an entire state in New England (I don't remember which one), and I don't mean just hunting and fishing rights! I'm amazed the courts will even hear these cases, but then, I'm not a lawyer, and in law, common sense doesn't always apply. Marty

[Trophy19]

I am really glad to see the MN-DNR put tight restrictions on Mille Lacs for one main reason...my children.

I want to bring them up there in 5 years and have them hook into several nice walleyes. Nothing better than seeing that smile on your childs face when they bring in their catch!

I have let my fair share of 18"+ walleye go this year. The percentage of fish I caught in the slot limit is roughly 30%. If you are concerned about getting a meal from Mille Lacs, might I suggest you save a few bucks on gas, tackle, bait, boat, etc. and run down to Cub Foods and pick up a few pounds of walleye @ $10.99/lb.

Just my opinion.

[Eyemadman]

Do the Indians have to throw back the slot fish too?

[night_eyes]

I dont think they do....but remember the size of the average walleye they take in there nets is well less than 2 lbs...which are the smaller males. Those nets are designed so the bigger fish dont get caught in them.

[Matt]

Exactly! Heritage my @@@! Build a canoe, sew a net and get some 'eyes if you must. Build a canoe, build a harpoon and go hunt a whale, if you must. Thats heritage. Not modern technology and overharvest. The native americans of old respected their resources and knew that abusing them would lead ultimately to their demise. But now someone (government) will bail them out! I'm sorry that their ancestors were treated so poorly, but its history now. Get on with life. Why should I have to pay for the sins of people that are long dead? Why should Volkswagon have to pay for the sins of a raving lunatic? Where does this insane need to make someone, anyone, pay end?
Let 'em have it. Let 'em ruin it. Let 'em live with it. Screw 'em. Go fish one of the other 9,999 lakes and lets get on with the business of catchin' fish.

[warman]

Do us all a favor and quit going up to Mille Lacs than! I'm so sick of people like you, we have be dealt the hand we have, no lets make the best of it.

I fished Mille Lacs last weekend, caught over 20 fish with 12 over 25" all the way up to 30". Why don't you tell me how many lakes have this kind of potential?

[WALLEYE DADDY]

TOTALLY AGREE WITH NIGHT EYES. I'M SURE THE DNR HAS SOME PRETTY KNOWLEDGABLE PEOPLE STUDYING THE SLOT SIZES,SPAWNING SIZES AGES ETC. THE FUTURE AND SUCCES OF FISHING A LAKE LIKE MILLE LACS IS GOING TO BE TOTALLY DEPENDANT UPON PROPER MANAGEMENT. WITHOUT IT YOU CAN WRITE OFF ANOTHER PRIME WALLEYE FISHERY.I DON'T THINK ANY OF US WANT THAT. I WOULD BET THAT THE MAJORITY OF YOU THAT GO UP AND FISH DON'T GO THERE FOR MEALS. I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT MOST OF US GO TO HAVE A GREAT TIME, GET AWAY FROM THE BS AT WORK AND TO ENJOY JUST CATCHING FISH, WHETHER IT BE TO TAKE A FEW HOME OR RELEASE THEM. LETS ALL REMEMBER THAT THAT THE FUTURE OF FISHING TOTALLY DEPENDS ON HOW WE FISH IT TODAY. LETS BE OPEN MINDED ABOUT IT AND ENJOY. BY THE WAY I WENT UP LAST WEEK AND RELEASED 8 OVER 18" AND KEPT 3 UNDER. HAD A GREAT TIME AND A GREAT MEAL ALL AT ONCE. JUST A SIDE NOTE--IF ALL YOU WANT IS A MEAL, GO TO THE LOCAL GROCERY STORE AND BUY SOME FILLETS. YOU CAN BUY A LOT FOR THE PRICE OF A NEW BOAT.

[Matt]

Sure it was good last weekend! And it has been for a long time. But wait until its ruined just like Red Lake was and still is. Bet you'll feel different then.

[ufda]

Well, everyone else has weighed in on this; so guess I will also. 1.) Harry and the Old Man are totally out of line, but I guess everyone knows that. 2.) I think the DNR is doing a great job! <Let me repeat that because of my next comment "I think the DNR in this case is doing a great job!" 3.)I think Eyez is wrong. Who are we to question the DNR? Their bosses, that's who. I agree we don't have their knowledge, but then I don't have all the knowledge of the people who work for me either. That doesn't mean that I can't question them and hold them accountable! 4.) I think the Indian treaties are outdated. We are paying for the sins of our great grandparents. 5.) The romantic notion that the Native Americans were conservationists and lived in harmony is basically untrue. The indians in MN lived in semi-permanent housing (wigwams, etc.) so they could move after they overharvested an area. In the southwest the Anasazi totally disappeared. 6.) I think providing a way of making sure they can continue their heritage is a worthwhile endeavor because I like the diversity in this country. However, we shouldn't have the tyranny of the minority over the majority (and yet, I'm in a quandry as I also believe in the rule of law and the treaties are law). Anyway - just trying to point out it is not a simple problem - few are!
Sorry for the long post.
ufda

[V]

I think the slot on mille lacs is ok if whats good for one is good for all. The indians not only can net and spear they dont have to measure any fish. They take what ever they catch.If thats not good enough for you they can take 12 eyes. Sounds like there twice as good as me !
The problem isnt the slot size its the indians.Equal rights ya right if everybody did what the indians did we would be watching fishing and hunting programs on tv saying what fish what deer. What is it going to take, maybe a revolution? I want my rights back!!!!!!!!!!!

[Eyez]

LAST EDITED ON Jun-21-00 AT 04:04PM (CST)[p]Good points Ufda, but I still think that the decision to make the regs more strict is a biological decision, and should be left to the biologists. DNR will be held accountable if they fail, but they haven't failed in this situation. What are you going to hold them accountable for? Making a regulation that you don't like? We as fisherman have to trust their knowledge, or all we'll have is an uneffective, micromanaged group of wildlife biologists and officers who don't dare make a decision that contradicts popular sentiment. We should not second guess DNR, or there's no point in having them there. They need room to work without someone always pointing out what they may or may not be doing wrong. The best bosses know when to trust their people, and let those with the knowledge make the decisions.


Eyez

[EAGLE EYES]

AMEN Ufda!!! Great Understanding to this issue that was!

[Chad]

If you dont like the way something is being handled you must do something to make a difference. All talk and no action does little. Our club sponsors a lot of the rearing ponds in the Detroit Lakes and Fergus Falls areas. We are proposing to pull our funding if the walleyes raised with our funds are put into lakes which allow netting. Why should we pay to raise walleyes which will just be taken out with a net. Our club is dedicated to promoting walleye fishing in a sportsman like manor. Netting does not fall into this category. Hit em in the pocket book and see what happens. We have not pulled our funding yet, but we are in he process of having discussions with the DNR.

[Eyeshole]

Interesting posts although I'm dismayed to see that once again it ends up in nastiness, racism, and collective memory loss. Some key points I think are missing here.

1. Most of us don't depend on the Walleyes in Mille Lacs for our sustenance. What was the slot limit on the American Buffalo? Yeah, Yeah, I know none of us ever shot a buffalo. Consider how your keeping less walleyes compares to being forced off your land and losing your food and clothing resource. I think most of us regret the history. However the facts remain. Casting dispersions on Native Americans is neither informed nor justified. We all have a responsibility to work together to share this great resource or watch it continue to decline.

2. Where is Bud Grant and the rest of his disciples who advised against negotiating with Native Americans several years ago when most of this might have either been avoided or tempered. I hate to think how many of you were right there going "yeah, screw the Indians". Well look what that enlightened thinking achieved. Seems to me very little has changed with regard to actually thinking through an issue instead of merely reacting.

3. The resource is not unlimited. Access to information is incredible. Technology has given us tools that will either be used responsibly or we'll all just have to get used to increased constraints. My joy of fishing is not dependent on how full I can get the live well.

Having just reread this, I'm aware it sounds preachy. I apologise for that. However, if you can't understand where you've been, it's pretty difficult to have a good picture of where you're going. I wish there were enough walleye for everyone to take what they thought they "needed". Unfortunately that's just not the case.

[Matt]

You are right Eyeshole, it is everybody's resonsiblity. I just don't think netting fish is responsible. The debt has been paid. If history wouldn't have played itself out the way it has you or I or anyone else may have never been born. Suddenly your great grandparents never met..... I have no problem with diversity etc. I'm sorry the Indians got treated poorly, I'm sorry the Africans got forceably hauled over here, I'm truely sorry. But it is NOT my resonsiblility. Life has dealt its hand and now lets EVERYONE do our share and get on with life!

I used to live in Bemidji. I watched Red Lake get completely fished out! Do you realize how big those two lakes are?!? No Walleyes! All gone! And now you and I are funding its restocking. I don't live near Mille Lacs and I've never been there but I still don't want to see it turn into another Red Lake. And I certainly don't want to foot the bill for another Red Lake!

[Gatsby]

I feel extremmely lucky to have a lake like Mille Lacs just over an hour from my home.also I am concerned about the effects the netting and spearing may have on the lake. But the thing that ticks me off is driving past the casino (that pays no income tax) and seeing the parking lot full of cars\boats. If you don't like what the indians are doing to our state stay out of the casinos.

[night_eyes]

Red Lake was a totally different situation. That was totally commercial..no limits..no regulations. Nothing but net as many walleyes as you can. Thats not the case on Mille Lacs.

[night_eyes]

You guys want the lake to be ruined...take away the slot. Let hundreds of boats everyday keep those 18-20" females you are catching...and then keep that one over 20" too. Then in 5 years when the population of 24-26" is not there you will complain about that. Why does everyone have to keep a limit? You cant tell me that you arent catching a few slot fish mixed in with those fish you are releasing. I fish the lake..I can always catch a couple 2 or 3 16"ers and i've got more than a meal and im more than happy. I have a rule in my boat on any lake i go to that everything over 18" goes back. We cant all keep those females and expect the fishing to stay what it is...simple as that.

[Matt]

I totally agree with slot limits. But why was the slot introduced?? To offset Native overharvest? I'ld love to catch bigger walleyes anywhere I go. I happily and voluntarily throw back any walleye over 18 inches on any lake I fish. I view this as just the first step in a downward spiral to a walleyeless lake. Yes, Red was different. But before you know it, it will turn into one. If we're not careful.

[Matt]

Not yet.

[night_eyes]

The slot limit is the first step in making sure our resource is protected.

[crash]

Well I guess its my turn now...

Its not the Indians, Its not the DNR, Its not the Slot, Its not the food fishers. Its not the trophy hunters.

Its the nets. OK you want to let Native Americans use nets to keep there heritage then make them make their own and they have to be just like the ones they used in 1500, or its all a big lie.
We all know that the worlds fish population cannot support commerical fishing pressure anymore.

As long as there's nets in the water this backward slide to empty waters is not going to end untill its all gone.

ALL fish selling businesses have to be put out of business, let Rec's pick up the slack, if you want fish to eat, you've got to go get it yourself. It wouldn't mean that everybody would pick up a rod then, face it 99% of the world's population is too lazy to do what we consider fun. Charter a boat and go out for a day, keep your limit and sell some to people who want it. It would only work if all commercial fishing was banned though. Better idea than dragging a net around. Wouldn't that be easier for the DNR to keep track of? no more by-catch, no more draggers, and put reasonable slot limits everywhere on all game fish species. let me know if I'm way off here...

[jake]

Just wondering what comercial fishing is; charters? carp netting? trot lines for catfish? catching leeches for selling? How about tournaments? If it was germans spearing,one has to wonder if it would make a difference in MN. As for casinos;let the Native Americans make enough money to buy their own land back! Who was the "Indian givers", or did I miss something.IMHO

[crash]

Of course you can nit-pick the ##### out of this but we all know what commercial fishing is and isn't. Heritage and life styles are no excuse for destoying the world we live in. I know its such a touchy subject, I live in the middle of probally one of the most abused fisheries in the world. Com's have gun fights over territory here. Why is it so heated all the time, because they all know there is not enough to go around anymore.

As for atoning for past sins. Lawyers love this new legal stratagy. Why do you think the Gov. won't ever apoligize for is "mistakes"? lawsuits. If they admitt that it was wrong and say their sorry, somebody uses it as a confession of guilt and sues. Once agian Humans nature to take the easy road screws us all agian. How much money does the Tribes make off of Fishing compared to what they rake in on their casinos? They only want to keep their Heritage, well my heritage was to rape and plunder, does that give me an excuse to do so?
I know I'm dreaming of a perfect world , but hey ya gotta dream..

[Nate W]

Geez guys, where I live in Iowa any walleye you catch is a trophy! Catching to many 20 inch & bigger fish? My God, you're breaking my heart!

Sure we have a couple good lakes and some respectable fishing on the Mississippi, but I sure wish I had your problems!

[Matt]

Or the first step in taking away all of our fishing. (on this particular lake) Just like the gun laws. One little infringement after another upon the law abiding ethical citizens until its all taken away. If it stops here and fishing stays the same or improves I will be the first and loudest one to applude the DNR. But if the Natives or the Commercials get more rights and us less....

[warman]

The number 1 question in my mind is: What is the future take of the tribes going to be on Mille Lacs? To the extent they keep the pounds of fish harvested consistant the lake is going to continue to put out in a big way! I don't recall exactly but in 1999 anglers havested close to 500,000 pounds of walleyes, whereas the indians took 70,000 pounds. Sounds like were doing more damage currently then they are. Don't get me wrong, I don't adhere or believe in neting the the lake but we in the past had done more of the damage. I've seen more 6,7 & 8 pound fish killed on this lake then everywhere else combined, these are anglers and believe me most of these fish are being eaten. Now with the slot the majority of these fish are protected. Should also note that the indians historically have been taking fish in the 1.5 to 2 lb range, not the big fish (not to say they don't get some). My .02 cents

[night_eyes]

I've said it too warman..i agree 100%. Anglers take away more from the lake than the indians do and it would be a lot worse without the slot limits. I've been trying to find the #'s for pounds harvested and you found em!! Thx

[crash]

Thats why I've always said you've got to have slots. I'd be curious as to what the numbers are now after the slot.

[EAGLE EYES]

300,000 lbs. for Sportsmen 100,000 lbs. for the tribe. HHMMM sounds like minority is turning toward majority to me!!!!

[night_eyes]

Wow..its obvious you wont be happy until anglers are allowed to keep all the 18-20" females you can so im not even going to respond to this post anymore. I love the slot limit...even if there was not netting i'd like the slot limit. I want a world class fishery down the road.

[perchboy]

As of last weekend I believe about 140,000 non-band pounds had been taken on Mille Lacs. I've seen a lot of posts about Red and how Mille Lacs is not the same situation, but take a little closer look to where Mille Lacs is heading. How come the slot restrictions get more strict every year?? Something to think about.

[EAGLE EYES]

An 18" fish is not a big female. You act like every fish 18" can't be anything but a female. Sure some of them are, but big deal not all of them are. The fact of the matter is the lake was proven to have saved more than 200,000 lbs of fish in 1999 because of the slot limit to sportsmen at 20". I never had a problem with that slot. I am willing to throw back fish that size and usually do on most lakes anyway. But don't tell me I have to throw back even smaller ones next year when the need is not there. Especially when your going to award more fish to someone else instead. That's just plain B.S.

[warman]

eagleye, I totally disagree with your post. I think the DNR is doing everything in there power to keep Mille Lacs lake fishery all healthy and well. We should aplaud them in the proactive nature that they are handling the situation. Go ahead keep whining about the indians, fact is you can't do a da*n thing about it. If the DNR thinks they need to make the slot more restrictive then so be it, go rape another lake. I personally will continue to go to the big lake and catch big walleyes and happily return them to the water. Fact is I think the DNR should look closely at a state wide slot coupled with a reduced limit.

You can say that the indians aren't practicing their neting like their ancestors did, well guess what??? We're not either. We need to all take a look in the mirror.

[WALLEYE DADDY]

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW WHY A LOT OF LAKES IN ONTARIO HAVE IMPOSED A CATCH AND RELEASE RULE.
IS IT BECAUSE OF OVERFISHING, OVERNETTING, OR TO CONSERVE THE RESOURCE FOR THE FUTURE OF ALL FISHERMAN. I WONDER WHY THEY HAVE IMPOSED THAT RULE. IS IT BECAUSE THERE LAKES ARE GETTING OVERFISHED--POACHED OR WHAT. MAYBE A GOOD AUTHORITY FROM ONTARIO WITH SOME INSIGHT INTO THIS SITUATION IS OUT THERE.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RESPONSE AND COMPARE IT TO OUR SITUATION AT MILLE LACS. MAYBE WE COULD USE THEM AS AN EXAMPLE. AFTERALL ONTARIO'S RESOURCES FAR OUTWAY OURS IN TERMS OF FISHABLE WALLEYE LAKES.IF THERE ARE SO MANY LAKES UP THERE TO CATCH FISH WHY WOULD THEY PUT CATCH AND RELEASE RULES ON THE LAKES. MAYBE WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM.

[WALLEYE DADDY]

DOES ANYONE OUT THERE KNOW WHY A LOT OF LAKES IN ONTARIO HAVE IMPOSED A CATCH AND RELEASE RULE.
IS IT BECAUSE OF OVERFISHING, OVERNETTING, OR TO CONSERVE THE RESOURCE FOR THE FUTURE OF ALL FISHERMAN. I WONDER WHY THEY HAVE IMPOSED THAT RULE. IS IT BECAUSE THEIR LAKES ARE GETTING OVERFISHED--POACHED OR WHAT. MAYBE A GOOD AUTHORITY FROM ONTARIO WITH SOME INSIGHT INTO THIS SITUATION IS OUT THERE.I WOULD LIKE TO SEE THE RESPONSE AND COMPARE IT TO OUR SITUATION AT MILLE LACS. MAYBE WE COULD USE THEM AS AN EXAMPLE. AFTERALL ONTARIO'S RESOURCES FAR OUTWAY OURS IN TERMS OF FISHABLE WALLEYE LAKES.IF THERE ARE SO MANY LAKES UP THERE TO CATCH FISH WHY WOULD THEY PUT CATCH AND RELEASE RULES ON THE LAKES. MAYBE WE CAN LEARN FROM THEM.

[warman]

It's simple, because people will pay big dollars to travel to Canada and get world class fishing. We go every year, total catch and release for northern and each guy can only keep 3 walleye (little ones, big ones are protected by slot). Guess what, when you can catch a fish on every cast you don't care about stringing them up for dinner. Face it guys, the majority of the people fishing Mille Lacs can afford a nice boat, gps, graph and the other misc. equipment - it's not like we need the a bunch of fish to feed the family!

It's the meat maggots that will ruin the resource!

[EAGLE EYES]

OOPS. I gave credit to the wrong person. I ment V had a good understanding.

[ufda]

Hey Eyez, I don't think you and I are in that much disagreement. As I stated, I think they did a good job. And you're right, they have more knowledge. I probably misunderstood your prior post ..... I am just tired of people not questioning anyone in authority (like politicians), but that is evidently not what you meant.
Thanks,
ufda

[Eyez]

You're right, I probably wasn't real clear on that. I don't mean to just let gov't and DNR do their thing without ever questioning them, but we can't ALWAYS question them. They need to know their being watched, but they need to be able to do their job without making political decisions about a biological issue.

BTW, I questions politicians every day, They're so full of BS that the general public should call them on just about everything they say. Put them under a spotlight, and they probably wouldn't pull half the crap that they do.

I guess what I really mean by this is that I feel that DNR has enough pressure from the state and public already, and that any more would cause them to become politically motivated, and lose the unbiased, scientific attitude that they need to have.


Eyez

[night_eyes]

You better check a little closer...the majority of 18" fish..especially on Mille Lacs are females.

[night_eyes]

Oops cut myself off early. Adding to that post...not only are they mostly all females they are tomorrows 7 and 8 lbers and bigger. And the attitude of who cares if we keep them is the kind of attitude that will flush this lake down the toilet. Not the indians keeping a bunch of 15" males.

[chet]

I have a cabin on Big Point(lake millelacs) as far as I'm concerned there need to be a slot on this lake. Too many stringers of huge walleyes coming in from launches to guides tournaments meat maggots etc. Whats the big deal just fish a little longer and harder and you'll get your limit if thats what you want. Be sure to take a camera and take a pic of that beautiful 29 incher which you probably will catch if you spend a little more than just a evening fishing the rocks with a bobber and leech,go home with a limit every night in a couple hours. Be Thankful its still a damm good lake!

[fluffhead]

Quit whining Minnesota boys..I love Mille Lacs...Im sorry but I catch the quality of fish there that I cant on Winnebago in Wisconsin..There all you see is 14 inch walleyes..Its sickening..Want fish to eat..go buy em

[ufda]

i hear that and agree