Special Session - Cass Lake spearing

[brmuskie]

yep - it won't go away. After 2 Governor's vetoes, the spearing issue on Cass Lake is included in the special session Environment and Natural Resources Finance bill. It is on page 125 of a 126 page bill.

Good luck everyone!

[cbrooks]

complete and utter [PoorWordUsage]. Is there a dam thing anyone can do about...emails,phnoe calls, anything?

Gawd I hate politics

[RK]

In all reality, there probably isn't much chance of this being changed.

The policy language from the original game and fish policy bill is included in the Environment finance bill that was negotiated between the administration and the Republican leadership.

These were closed-door sessions, and no other committee members were included in the discussion. There will also be no opportunity for public input at all.

It's also very likely that there will be no opportunity for amendments during a floor session, as leadership in both parties will have the reins held tight on their caucuses to keep the wheels from coming off the wagon on an overall budget deal.

What's most distressing - and frankly most disgusting - about the Cass Lake language is that it explicitly prohibits the DNR from managing the pike fishery on Cass in any way whatsoever when it comes to the harvest impact of spearing until 2016 ("Until July 1, 2016, the commissioner shall not adopt restrictions on spearing northern pike on Cass Lake under Minnesota Statutes") Frankly, the legislature has no business managing fisheries. They have no idea what they're doing. None. Yet they're doing it anyhow. And they're explicitly forbidding the DNR from acting if the pike fishery suffers for it.

Sad, sad deal.

There was a compromise proposal on the table both during the regular session and while this was being negotiated that would have allowed spearing on Cass while still offering some protection for the pike fishery there. Instead we got this. Proof certain that at the end of the day, these people don't give two squirts of [PoorWordUsage] about the fishery as long as "dey can spear dere Norderns".

Makes me want to puke.

[Musky Buck]

My spearing relatives are against it so who's for it ? It's the # 1 reason I started musky fishing in 1988, had zero lakes basically in the area I live in where you could catch or have a good chance at a large northern pike, at least the musky was protected to 36" back then so you had a chance at a decent sized fish. What a mess Minnesota has become in so many areas. Is this what we get when we have elected jokers who know nothing about business and money trying to make decisions involving money and business. Per diem lunch tickets, whatever. Seems like in the outdoor world including cass lake the clowns who bark the loudest get there cry baby way.

[LMITOUT]

Proof certain that at the end of the day, these people don't give two squirts of [PoorWordUsage] about the fishery as long as "dey can spear dere Norderns".

Makes me want to puke.

What makes me wanna puke is that attitude towards spear fisherman as second class, unintelligent people.

Oh well, I forgot that you guys "know everything" and how dare we question that. Sorry the rest of us aren't on the same level as you guys, all knowing one. I'll slither back to my lowly fishing rod now and see if I can reel in some "wet socks" as you refer to them.

[mrklean]

haha im glad your on our side

[LMITOUT]

haha im glad your on our side

I don't feel that I'm on any "side", but that's the entire problem here...there shouldn't have to be a "side" to take.

[CaptainMusky]

I don't feel that I'm on any "side", but that's the entire problem here...there shouldn't have be a "side" to take.

The MDAA made this a sided situation. Unfortunately for legitimate spearers they are getting lumped in with the rumheads pushing for this legislation.

There is no way this will lead to better pike fishing. Selfish select few that are pushing their will at the expense of possibly devastating fisheries for more fish than just pike. All because they want the opportunity to spear those select waters.

Nothing like the what's in it for me, or I first type people not thinking about the good for the whole.

[mrklean]

I don't feel that I'm on any "side", but that's the entire problem here...there shouldn't have be a "side" to take.

I agree there shouldnt be sides, i wish we could all just shut up and fish as they say, but unfortunately thats not the case, must just be the heat outside getting people angry already

[CaptainMusky]

I agree there shouldnt be sides, i wish we could all just shut up and fish as they say, but unfortunately thats not the case, must just be the heat outside getting people angry already

Heat has nothing to do with my anger.

Closed door politics at the hands of the MDAA does!!!

This is a terrible day for MN fisheries. Pathetic that a very select few have pushed their weight and dollars to ruin the lakes for the whole.

[spearchucker]

I don't think this is as big a deal as some are making it out to be. I bet at the end of this there will be no change to the fishery. Every time a lakes gets opened back up everyone says the lake is doomed and it never happens.

[Jaspernuts]

The lake isn't doomed, there will always be pike in there. Just a lot less 5-10 pounders. What the heck do people do with fish that big anyway? Do they really eat them?

[50inchpig]

The way the MDAA disregards all sound science and research, you'd never ever admit it if there was a decline in the quality of the fishery, Erv.

Every time a lake gets stocked with muskies everyone says the lake is doomed and they'll ban spearing and it never happens.

Disgusting. If it wasn't a big deal you wouldn't have spent the last 3+ years looking for cracks in the armor. Where do you guys come up with this stuff and how do you sleep at night?

[spearchucker]

The way the MDAA disregards all sound science and research, you'd never ever admit it if there was a decline in the quality of the fishery, Erv.

Every time a lake gets stocked with muskies everyone says the lake is doomed and they'll ban spearing and it never happens.

Disgusting. If it wasn't a big deal you wouldn't have spent the last 3+ years looking for cracks in the armor. Where do you guys come up with this stuff and how do you sleep at night?

Not sure who "you guys" are, but how do you think the spearing bans came about? Ding Ding... musky stocking and designating lakes as musky lakes. The dividing started long ago.

[Rebel9921]

I don't think this is as big a deal as some are making it out to be. I bet at the end of this there will be no change to the fishery. Every time a lakes gets opened back up everyone says the lake is doomed and it never happens.

Then I seriously think you don't realize the long-term ramification of this bill... And it's not entirely all about allowing spearing... It's the backdoor dealing that allowed this whole mess to transpire... To strip the DNR of the power to regulate the fishery means that if something happens this month, we can't do NOTHING abt it til the Legistlature convenes... And to strip 15 lakes of the slot limit protection is just too prosperous!!! It's a Pandora's box that has been opened... And it's the idiots who opened it... And already there are few people who are saying that the process of returning to the people of MN has started... What other doors has this opened??? And ask yourself this, which door is a good door??? I can guarantee you that NOTHING good comes out of a Pandora's Box!!!

[CaptainMusky]

I don't think this is as big a deal as some are making it out to be. I bet at the end of this there will be no change to the fishery. Every time a lakes gets opened back up everyone says the lake is doomed and it never happens.

What will be the end of this? MDAA starts spearing muskies? Do tell us.

This is a significant setback to MN fisheries no matter how you look at it.

Stunted pike populations are bad. Slots reduce stunted pike populations leading to a better average size fish meaning more happy anglers.

What will happen is this, the average size will decrease, the baitfish populations with decrease and anglers will look elsewhere to fish.

Fishermen dont gather around a campfire and talk about the 30 20" pike they caught in one day, but they do talk about the ONE 40" they did. This opportunity is going to diminish greatly. All because of a small group of selfish people.

[Jackpine Rob]

Personally, if I'm going to stick a fish for the pan, I would prefer it to be in that 4-6 lb category. Y-bone removal is a snap, there is enough on a single fish for a nice meal for 2-3 people (with a slab or two for sandwiches the next day).

Of course, not all lakes are the same, and there a couple of lakes where I only take the little slimers (1-3 lbs), since the 4-6 lb fish have traditionally been somewhat of a rarity.

Most of the lakes I spear see very limited pressure - both winter and summer.

[spearchucker]

What will be the end of this? MDAA starts spearing muskies? Do tell us.

...

Fishermen dont gather around a campfire and talk about the 30 20" pike they caught in one day, but they do talk about the ONE 40" they did. This opportunity is going to diminish greatly. All because of a small group of selfish people.

The MDAA can't pass legislation, they can only bring up an idea to a legislator. I have never seen any evidence that the MDAA wants to spear muskies.

What constitutes a successful fishing trip is different for every individual. There are many people that would be happier with a 40 incher and some that would be happier catching 50 3 pounders. To each his own.

[50inchpig]

Not sure who "you guys" are, but how do you think the spearing bans came about? Ding Ding... musky stocking and designating lakes as musky lakes. The dividing started long ago.

You're one of them, most of us know it.

Spearing bans are old news. Old old news. Only a small child or greedy jerk would think they need 28 more of something they already have 9972+ of. Which one are you?

Is Mille Lacs next or are you going to try to knock out a few more easier onces before you go for the Holy Grail?

[spearchucker]

You're one of them, most of us know it.

Spearing bans are old news. Old old news. Only a small child or greedy jerk would think they need 28 more of something they already have 9972+ of. Which one are you?

Is Mille Lacs next or are you going to try to knock out a few more easier onces before you go for the Holy Grail?

If by "one of them" you mean a member of the MDAA, then I guess you are right, but I had nothing to do with this bill being passed as you are implying.

Calm down and have beer, your life isn't going to change any.

[CaptainMusky]

Calm down and have beer, your life isn't going to change any.

I think we could have had the same arrogant attitude toward those stressing about new musky stocking now couldnt we?

This is the completely wrong message to send and completely naive. Quality of fishing in these waters will change over time. Having our DNR hamstrung by legistors is completely wrong.

MDAA did this behind closed doors by strong armed politics.

Two can play at this game. Dont be surprised if there is big pressure to ban all spearing coming up real soon.

[spearchucker]

What does this have to do with musky stocking? I don't think I was being arrogant either, just stating that I don't think fishing will be any worse in a few years.

[CaptainMusky]

What does this have to do with musky stocking?

Let me put it a little slower.

There was opposition largely by MDAA for introduction of new musky waters, IE STOCKING. Could those in favor of musky stocking on new waters just said "Calm down, have a beer your life wont change any" to those folks?

Musky anglers were open to compromise with MDAA on this whole thing and now they slap them all in the face with this back door politics.

You would think that "anglers" and organizations that represent the smallest portion of anglers in MN that working together would have been a better approach. Apparently not as evident by MDAA.

[10,000 Casts]

Large blocks of ice that are left out leaving a large unmarked hole in the ice are deadly to snowmobilers and children. I can see the bill now, #643 Reducing Spearing hole sizes to 10" or less..

[spearchucker]

Let me put it a little slower.

There was opposition largely by MDAA for introduction of new musky waters, IE STOCKING. Could those in favor of musky stocking on new waters just said "Calm down, have a beer your life wont change any" to those folks?

Musky anglers were open to compromise with MDAA on this whole thing and now they slap them all in the face with this back door politics.

You would think that "anglers" and organizations that represent the smallest portion of anglers in MN that working together would have been a better approach. Apparently not as evident by MDAA.

I guess we need to resort to insults since you are not happy?

I understand that, but none of that is in this bill is it? I haven't read the whole thing, so I could be wrong.

Exactly where were musky angler open to compromise?