View Full Version : Two rods in Minnesota?
Gunga Guides
03-19-2001, 02:37 PM
Does anyone know if there will be a change this year in Minnesota
on using just one rod? It sure would be nice to used a second rod!
I originally thought it would be a good thing if passed but have changed my position. I agree it would be nice to use two rods and it would be more fun. Fishing is better then it ever has been. However, there is a limited supply of fish and an ever increasing # of anglers getting a smaller and smaller piece of the pie. Either less fish or smaller fish. If we want the MN lakes to continue to produce fish we need to send a message that the resource is important to us. Now in ND there is not the fishing pressure as there is in MN on most lakes, so two rods dont do that much damage. MN is far more populated and adding more rods would lead to more fish being caught. Not twice as much but I think we can all agree more fish no matter what.
Last summer I put a hook in my hand. I think maybe I'll lobby to have barbless be the law. It would have saved me $200 and a trip to the clinic to have it removed. We all use them in Canada eh and how many fish do you loose? Probably cathc more since the hook can get set easier w/o the barb. Just dont give em slack and your ok.
gertzie
03-19-2001, 03:32 PM
Why not go 2 rods and 4 fish that shouldn;t hurt that much as long as you don't go over your limit.We just have to contain ourself on our possession limits
Reddog
03-19-2001, 03:55 PM
In Iowa, we can use two rods, and my opinion is that it will allow you to use a couple baits at the same time to see what the fish want. As far as catching multiple fish, I would bet that you will lose as many fish with two rods, as you think you will catch. I can almost guarantee that it will not double your take. Pulling plugs and spinners may be the exception to that rule, but as far as running a jig, or vertical jigging perch or something like that, I dont feel it is any advantage, and possibly a disadvantage.
cisco
03-19-2001, 04:03 PM
There's a whole litany of management issues much more important than being permitted to use two lines -- but, I doubt that it would impact greatly on the resource.
On the Great Lakes and the Mo. River impoundments I use multiple lines while trolling, but I don't see any advantage in two over one rod for other presentations except shore fishermen using set lines, and I haven't done that since I was a kid.
3 rods year round in wisconsin does not seem to hurt their resources go figure.
big mouth
03-19-2001, 05:08 PM
Minnesota is way to conservative to even consider two rods. What I cant beleive is that walleye season closes befor the end of february. Whats with this any? Our own Dnr even admits they dont know why it closes so early. With continued catch and release, slot limits and lower bag limits, these things shouldnt even be issues.
reddog
03-19-2001, 07:18 PM
LAST EDITED ON Mar-19-01 AT 09:20PM (CST)[p] Again, In Iowa, we have 3 lakes that have a closed season. The rest of the state has a continous open season on Walleye. The original reason for this, was so that the DNR could gill net brood stock in the spring, without hindrance from an occasional fisherman. And, of course, to protect the spawning brood stock. 15 -20 years ago, when these three lakes were the only lakes being gill-netted, and provided all of the brood stock and genetics for their breeding program this was acceptable. Over the last 10 years, more and more strippings are being done at satellite stations at Storm Lake, and Clear Lake, and it is not uncommon for these satelite lakes to provide up to 50% of the jars at the hatchery when full. So the original reason for closing the season has kind of gone by the way side, but we continue to have a closed season, only it seems that it is only closed in order to have a big contest on opening weekend. You cant have an opener, without closing the season. go figure.
shorty
03-21-2001, 05:01 AM
come on you guys who live in neighboring states know that minnesotans have been takin it up the petute for years! we pay tons of taxes and reap no rewards. our dnr are the most overpaid bunch of clowns around and the indians are suckin our lakes dry while the governor stuffs his overinflated pockets! and now they are gonna lower our limits. last year i read in a small outdoors publication that the dnr recently came up with something like 500 grand large and didnt know what to do with the money so they built a darn exercise room for the agents:-( as john stossel would say GIVE ME A BREAK! has anyone heard about the piles of fish dumped in the woods up north by winni and leech? where are the dnr agents while that is going on? probably spottin each other," you're huge,you're huge"
It is more then just taking more fish. That is not really the concern. By allowing two rods we would be sending a message that there are too many fish and that people should take more. By limiting anglers to one rod we are sending a message that the resource is limited and that we need to take care of the limited resources we have so that we can enjoy it for many generations.
Like most things this is more of a political message. I would bet that the DNR doesn't care one way or the other if only looking at the fish taken. However, it is the message that it would send that would concern them. People may be less likly to practice catch and release since the state is allowing more liberal fishing regs(2 rods).
Like I said before, I would like to use two rods because it is much more fun. But having talked to some local DNR officials who's views are not tainted by the political process I have changed my attitude to hopefully preserve the good fishing we have.
Chad
conspiracy theorist
03-21-2001, 05:41 AM
One theory to the fish being found in the woods up north is that it is the DNR themselves!!!
When they test lakes using gill nets, where do you think these fish go? Not to a food shelf or to the needy like they sould, but dumped somewhere. Just another case for the old addage...D.N.R = DO NOTHING RIGHT
Roger
03-21-2001, 06:32 AM
Reddog, do you fish Erie in April? Live close to a large Ia lake?
Most people can hardly use one ,what do you do with two fish on ,or should I say two snags!Maybe more slot limits instead of some politicians need to make another stupid ##### law!
anyway ,good fishing
reddog
03-21-2001, 03:32 PM
Roger, Question #1, No. Question #2 Yes.