Rainey River Fishing at risk!!!(view all)

[LaneLunder]

To all of you that fish the Rainey River in the
Spring, and even those of you that do not. We as sportsmen and women are being threatend to loose another freedom.
there is an online petition to keep the
Rainey River open to Spring Walleye fishing. Any support you can give to keep this fishery open would be appreciated. The website is www.PetitionOnline.com/rr2001/

Thanks for taking the time.
Lane

[tuffy18]

I tried to get into the petition site you mentioned, but was unable to access the site. What are the promp words. Please advise.

[JasonMN]

Here is the URL:
http://www.PetitionOnline.com/RR2001/petition.html

[LaneLunder]

Sorry for the website confusion. Please pass it on to your freinds. I live in Milwaukee, and just got back from my second trip to the Rainey. All the big fish are let go, and I haven't seen one dead Walleye on the river. Its worth the trip to catch big fish like that, and Erie isn't my thing.

Lane

[FlyBoy]

Thanks for the info. I have only been to Rainy once, and going again this year. I can't imagine why they would close it... I can't see any harm in releasing the big ones.

When I signed up about 10:00 today, I was number 95, I just checked it again, and there are 170... It sure seems to me there should be more people signing on! If you have a minute, check it out, if you agree with it, PLEASE SIGN THE PETITION.


(Yes I was yelling at the end :)

Thanks,


John

[BigBass]

# 178

[drizz]

Maybe I'm reading it wrong, but the wording of the petition is not accurate. In the beginning of the second paragraph it states that: "We currently have a 2 fish limit, with no fish over 19 1/2. This was reduced in 1999 from a 6 fish limit, with no fish over 19 1/2". That sentance is correct. Then it goes on to say: "Currently Lake of the Woods has a limit of 14, of only 6 can be walleye and 1 can be kept over 19 1/2. This season is for both the Rainy River and Lake of the Woods starts March 1st and closes midnight April 14th." The 14 fish limit is for the lake, not the river. From 3/1 to 4/14 the two fish limit applies. I'm not saying this was done intentionally, just want to be accurate. Anybody that does Rainy knows that for accurate, up to date info on the Rainy, you check with Sandee.

[mossboss]

#189

[LaneLunder]

Just keeping the post near the top. Thank you to everyone who signed on.
Lane

[800proX]

#232

jeff

[GOS]

#250

[JIM]

#266

[Jersey John]

#319

[pwuebker]

#344

[LaneLunder]

Let's keep it going!!! Thanks to all who participated.
Lane

[JKJ]

Sorry, no support here. Let the season close in February and reopen in May like the rest of the state. That goes for all border waters!

[close it all together]

No lets close down the fishing year round statewide, that'll make people happy.

Creel surveys from all seasons show that the spring season's harvest is a small percentage of the total harvest.

[AGT]

IT WAS THOSE DAM IOWANS AGAIN -WASNT IT

[Uncle Walleye]

#388

[JKJ]

I not looking at harvest numbers..... I'm simply don't think it is ethical to harass walleye that are staging to spawn.

[LaneLunder]

JkJ- What's more ethical, catching a nice walleye staging to spawn, and letting her go. Or catching a nice post spawn walleye and eating her for supper. I don't get the way you people think.
I'm all for keeping a few small fish for a fish fry, but I would much rather catch big fish and let them go to fight another day. What's not ethical about a catch and release fishery. the season does close when the the fish are actually spawning.
Lane

[JKJ]

Talk about a stupid question! There is not an answer for your first one. Of course you let the big females go whenever they are caught.

I'm saying I believe these fish should be left alone to do thier reproducing. These fish are getting hammered by a-holes like you who swarm to the only open water fishing allowed in a state where the season is closed everywhere else. I'm talking Rainy and Mississippi both!

If catch and release fishing aint hurting anything, then whay are the lakes closed? Why not catch and release everywhere? Because it's wrong!

[800proX]

jkj - you just showed your worth to society by calling someone an a-hole. start talking like that and get outta here. the first to start swearing is like the first person to sue - always uncredible, ignorant, and completely devoid of brain function. go somewhere else where they tolerate name calling, this is a forum to help, not bash.

jeff

[JKJ]

No apologies here..... If the shoe fits.....

[LaneLunder]

Well JkJ, I guess I know the type of person I'm dealing with. If wanting to get out of the house, and go float in my boat and catch big fish for a few days makes me an a-hole, so-be-it. (I would go fish panfish in the lakes, but they are frozen in March.) I guess I will probably stop bow-hunting deer during the rut because it is so wrong pursuing game during their mating season. Oh yea, I won't hunt turkeys this Spring either becasue it is unethical to hunt them while they are mating.
The beautiful thing about about fishing is we get to let the fish go.
In Wisconsin, most of the major river systems are open for Spring Walleye fishing Miss, Wisconsin, Fox, Wolf, Rock. There are probably more. I have seen too many nice fish kept however, I wish our guidlines were more like that on the Rainey.
I guess what it all boils down to is that catch and release fishing during the pre-spawn has no adverse effects on the fishery, and people like you have no other choice but to start calling people names to make their point.
Lane

[Grifter]

JKJ - I would like to take this opportunity to thank you for submitting your opinion in regard to "Rainey River Fishing at risk". I understand and certainly respect your viewpoint in regard to leaving the walleyes alone during their prespawn journey (at one time, I actually felt the same way). However, I realize now catch and release is now "the norm" and true trophy hunters realize this is the key to the success of the fishery versus of when you fish and why you "keep" them. For several years now, I have fished the Rainey River in March and I have never seen a dead walleye due to catch and release. The reason this season is a debate in the first place is because of the lack of funding this season merits in regard to supplying DNR officials, ramp maintenance, parking facilities etc.... and not because it is harming the fishery. Please allow more educated people (biologists, DNR officials, conservationists etc...) to comment in regard to what is good and not good for the fishery. JKJ - you're a smart guy - you'll figure it out too.

[Burt]

signed the petition. Nothing wrong with catch and release.
Burt

[JKJ]

LaneLunder, this is for you….

First off, in my first post I simply stated my own personal opinion. That opinion is based on many years of fishing the Rainy. Which, by the way is NOT a catch and release fishery. It is catch and eat for most of you guys who fish it when the lake are closed! I’m just glad there is a 19.5 max which requires you and people like you to release the bigger fish.

In one of your replies, you state “I have seen too many nice fish kept however, I wish our guidelines were more like that on the Rainy”. Ya, I see it all the time. That is the reason I’m for closing the borderwaters when the only open water is moving downstream. Are you beginning to see the light? Maybe when your grown up you will see things as I do.

I’d really like to know where you get your information. You state: “It all boils down to catch and release fishing during the pre-spawn has no adverse effects on the fishery”…… Says who? And correct me if I’m wrong here, there has never been a study of that on the Rainy. If it exists, please enlighten me!

Obviously, I am the Minority here. I’m perfectly comfortable with being an A-Hole and I’m perfectly comfortable with being called and A-Hole. Some are not so thick skinned. When you post something like your original question, be prepared to take some heat. At least I got your attention, and that’s the point.