DNR Catfish Study

[bobbymalone]

Just a reminder for those of us that participated in the DNR catfish study this year to send in your spreadsheet to:

metroeast.catfish @ dnr dot state dot mn dot us

[mplspug]

I was just thinking about that the other day. I hope they got a good response. It'd be a waste to have an opportunity to show the DNR there is serious interest in the conservation of the channel and flathead fishery.

[Scott K]

I will be the first to admit, I quit taking notes early on.

[DTro]

That’s better than me Scott, I didn’t even start

Once the thing finally got rolling around in July, I lost my motivation. A lot of data could’ve been collected by then…..A LOT. If I would’ve had an earlier warning, I probably would’ve made the commitment.

Note to DNR:

Serious catfishing begins in April

I have to admit it would’ve been fun to see what the total number of fish boated this year was.

[Gordie]

No notes or journal for me either I was to busy catching fish to take notes ya thats it.. I always say that I will do it but ussally lose intrest in that after the first bite. besides its just fun to chase them on memory

[Scott K]

Besides the hassle of taking the notes, for me the line was drawn just to the north of where most of my fishing was done. I spent maybe 10% of my fishing time in the border of the survey, the other 90% was done just to the south.

[bobbymalone]

It's sad that some of you guys will complain about the lack of management for catfish, but are too lazy to participate in a study that can effect management decisions.

[DTro]

Well I can only speak for myself, and I might be in the minority, but I think the management is pretty darn good.

The current bag limit is very conservative and to me is acceptable.

I do think however that there are several “silly” regulations that are unrelated to what this study is about. Basically they are regarding bait harvest and bait size and or transport of bait. So when it comes to being critical of the DNR, that is the area I am most disappointed in.

For me, the only two things about this particular study that I was critical about was:

1) The timing Heck, mid July and the majority of my fish had already been caught.

2) Providing GPS coordinates (this was not required, but strongly suggested).

IMO, I would like to see more CO’s out there enforcing the current bag limit rather than deciding if we need to change it. We can study until we are blue in the face, but in the meantime BillyBob is driving up here from (insert state) and harvesting a bunch of big old fish illegally.

[bobbymalone]

I don't like the GPS stuff any more than anyone else, but it is kinda important for tagged fish. I reported my catches by river mile. I never caught a tagged fish, but if so I would have gladly provided the coords.

My guess is they didn't start until July because of bureaucratic blocks with funding the study, but who knows.

There is always room for management improvement, especially when regulations are based on total guesses. I dunno maybe a CPR only season to protect spawning fish. I remember somebody saying something about that a long time ago...

We’ve found a way to protect the majority of other species during the spawn (sans perch and panfish). So why not another great gamefish?

Here’s the kicker though. The spawn is smack dab in the middle of summer. So it’s a very easy argument to say, “well if you really cared you would want no fishing at all during the spawn”. It’s hard to argue with that, however it is a unique time for that to happen. Most other species for the most part are on the same schedule so it works out fine to delay the start of the season. Not so for the cats.

My own opinion is that all species should be C&R only during and before the spawn (or at least a window of C&R since you can’t predict the exact dates). Let them do their thing and then maybe start taking a few home for the pan.

[Gordie]

If I were to lazy I guess I wouldnt fish because that initself is hard work. I havent caught a tagged fish either but if I do I will report the weres and things that are nessasary for it. I dont typically keep records of the outtings for fishing but I do use GPS for future references so that may help as well. If I remember correctly they were looking for catfisherman that keep those kind of records. hats to them and I may have to start doing the same but until then I am in about the same position as Dtro on that better enforcement is needed.

I also partake in the DNR survey on the Franklin strech of the river every year that I have fished it. Those guys from the DNR are great guys and use a lot of info we provide them.

[pureinsanity]

I think its safe to say that 98% of us on here that actually fish for catfish end up CPR every fish anyway... This whole summer of fishing I only saw one person take a catfish home. If i had a GPS and caught a tagged fish I would do all the steps needed as well. I have yet to see a tagged flat.

[MinnesnowtaWild]

I was keeping track of all my fish but realized that they only wanted info for the metro area so I didn't bother.

[Loose]

I caught one tagged flathead this year, but didnt have a pen to write down the number. I wish i would have though been kind of interisting to see were it had been/tagged at.

[Scott K]

I may not have given them the info to help in this survey, but I did un-voluntarily donate to the cause

[Gordie]

alittle more than you wanted to.

[hanson]

IMO, I would like to see more CO’s out there enforcing the current bag limit rather than deciding if we need to change it. We can study until we are blue in the face, but in the meantime BillyBob is driving up here from (insert state) and harvesting a bunch of big old fish illegally.

What about a bunch of CO's just enforcing the fishing regulations period?

Some of these topics end up being the biggest bunch of hypocrisy I've ever read.

[DARK30]

((((Insert Backwater's light bulb thred here)))))

How many internet forum members does it take to change a light bulb?

1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed.

14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently.

7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs.

27 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs.

53 to flame the spell checkers

41 to correct spelling/grammar flames.

6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb"...another 6 to condemn those 6 as anal-retentive

2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp".

15 know-it-alls who claim *they* were in the industry, and that "light bulb" is perfectly correct.

156 to email the participant's ISPs complaining that they are in violation of their "acceptable use policy".

109 to post that this group is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a lightbulb group

203 to demand that cross posting to hardware forum, off-topic forum, and lightbulb group about changing light bulbs be stopped.

111 to defend the posting to this group saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts *are* relevant to this group.

306 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique, and what brands are faulty.

27 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs.

14 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL's.

3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group.

33 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including all headers and signatures, and add "Me too".

12 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy.

19 to quote the "Me too's" to say "Me three".

4 to suggest that posters request the light bulb FAQ.

44 to ask what is a "FAQ".

4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"

143 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs".

1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again....

Substitute Light bulb with..whatever...you have to admit...it really rings true...Eh.

_________________________

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Here...Piggy...Piggy...Piggy! ><,sUMo,>

Soo..Weeeee!

[DTro]

Originally Posted By: dtro

IMO, I would like to see more CO’s out there enforcing the current bag limit rather than deciding if we need to change it. We can study until we are blue in the face, but in the meantime BillyBob is driving up here from (insert state) and harvesting a bunch of big old fish illegally.

What about a bunch of CO's just enforcing the fishing regulations period?

Some of these topics end up being the biggest bunch of hypocrisy I've ever read.

Well, 95% of the chatter here is based on opinions. In my opinion...read that again....IN MY OPINION I think harvesting big and old fish illegally is the single biggest threat to the Flathead fishery. NOT snagging them out of season, NOT using bullheads that are too long, NOT using bait that came from infested waters, NOT fishing with multiple lines, NOT jug fishing and certainly NOT failing to have a light on while anchored.

These are all against the law, and yes of course the CO's should be out there enforcing ALL the laws. Period

Now other people might think a bigger threat is yahoos like me blabbing about catching fish all time time and posting pictures and videos for the world to see... exploitation if you will.

Then the next guy will say he's upset that he can't keep more than 2 over 24" because he likes eating them.

We all have our concerns and that sure is a heck of a lot better than nobody caring at all. All I can say is this, there is nothing in this world I enjoy doing more than spending my summers on the river with friends catching Flatheads, and if I knew that keeping a survey of every fish I caught and reporting that to the proper authority would at least ensure security of the fishery we have now, you bet I would do whatever I could.

I try my best to help others out by lending tips and or reports to help them enjoy their time on the water. Nothing better than seeing new people enjoying the same experiences I've been able to have over the past several years. I sure don't do it for the pay

Quite honestly I take offense to being called "sad" or a "hypocrite" for choosing not to participate in a study.

[bobbymalone]

Quite honestly I take offense to being called "sad" or a "hypocrite" for choosing not to participate in a study.

i just said lazy

[DTro]

Lazy I can live with

[croixflats]

((((Insert Backwater's light bulb thred here)))))

How many internet forum members does it take to change a light bulb?

1 to change the light bulb and to post that the light bulb has been changed.

14 to share similar experiences of changing light bulbs and how the light bulb could have been changed differently.

7 to caution about the dangers of changing light bulbs.

27 to point out spelling/grammar errors in posts about changing light bulbs.

53 to flame the spell checkers

41 to correct spelling/grammar flames.

6 to argue over whether it's "lightbulb" or "light bulb"...another 6 to condemn those 6 as anal-retentive

2 industry professionals to inform the group that the proper term is "lamp".

15 know-it-alls who claim *they* were in the industry, and that "light bulb" is perfectly correct.

156 to email the participant's ISPs complaining that they are in violation of their "acceptable use policy".

109 to post that this group is not about light bulbs and to please take this discussion to a lightbulb group

203 to demand that cross posting to hardware forum, off-topic forum, and lightbulb group about changing light bulbs be stopped.

111 to defend the posting to this group saying that we all use light bulbs and therefore the posts *are* relevant to this group.

306 to debate which method of changing light bulbs is superior, where to buy the best light bulbs, what brand of light bulbs work best for this technique, and what brands are faulty.

27 to post URL's where one can see examples of different light bulbs.

14 to post that the URL's were posted incorrectly and then post the corrected URL's.

3 to post about links they found from the URL's that are relevant to this group which makes light bulbs relevant to this group.

33 to link all posts to date, quote them in their entirety including all headers and signatures, and add "Me too".

12 to post to the group that they will no longer post because they cannot handle the light bulb controversy.

19 to quote the "Me too's" to say "Me three".

4 to suggest that posters request the light bulb FAQ.

44 to ask what is a "FAQ".

4 to say "didn't we go through this already a short time ago?"

143 to say "do a Google search on light bulbs before posting questions about light bulbs".

1 forum lurker to respond to the original post 6 months from now and start it all over again....

Substitute Light bulb with..whatever...you have to admit...it really rings true...Eh.

_________________________

Ed "Backwater Eddy" Carlson

Here...Piggy...Piggy...Piggy! ><,sUMo,>

Soo..Weeeee!

Hmmm. I take it you have been at this forum thing for a while

[pureinsanity]

Lazy I can live with

Isn't that part of the reason we catfish??? Fewer cast's, long waits, cold beverages and good company.... Now that's fishing

If only we could get the TV, and xbox or playstation out there on the river

I am right up there with you! LAZY!

[goblueM]

couple of thoughts -

Fisrt - It's really important for the public to help out the DNR with stuff like this, because they don't have the funding or the time to get as much data to properly manage resources. I do try to respond in surveys, however i totally understand all the work it is, particularly the catfish study

second, I would bet it started in July because thats when the new fiscal year started.

third - i totally agree with regs being decent, enforcement not. there need to be WAY more COs out there, and a big part of this goes back to us as sportsmen to monitor each other

[Larry FlatCaster]

I got this part covered.

MOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO..................

[mplspug]

Dark, you are one funny son of a gun! I hope you don't mind, but I am spreading that one to some other boards I know. It's only missing 2 things. 43 people hijacking the thread posting something loosely related to the original post and 23 people telling the to stop 'hijacking the thread'...

Oh, and 21 of the 43 apologizing and ending a reply with '/hijack' which is suppose to be an attempt to apologize for hijacking the thread and tell people to carry on with the original topic. With that being said.

/hijack