Now that the "season" is over

[DrJuice1980]

The water is not as clear on the river so sight for the fish may not be as ggod as it is in clear water. The lakes I mostly fish are clear. I am sure that has something to do with the reflex bite.

[dougger222]

Of all the states in the Midwest MN has to have the most fishing regulations by far.

Lines allowed in MN 2

Lines allowed in WI 3, N&S Dakota 4 (Montana 5)

Distance to tip up in MN 200ft

Distance to tip up in WI 15 minutes (heard from the locals...)

Distance to tip up on N&S Dakota not noted in the rule book.

MN live bait limited to minnows

WI live bait allowd to use panfish

ND live bait biggest minnow fathead and limit is 150.

MN 1 eye over 20in in possesion, 6 daily total possesion.

ND most lakes no slot limit and no max size, 5 days, 10 possesion, storage for ND resident UNLIMITED.

ND season for game fish year round.

Can't pull up the SD rule book right now online...

[DTro]

The Rainy system is huge, there are many locations that arent hit for spawning walleyes, the reproduction will always be there and its a location that doesnt see an immense amount of pressure

[DrJuice1980]

Your still going to tell me that the river system and lake doesnt offer adquate area for it to hanlde the pressure and still produce fish? If you want to be "body of water" specific when it comes to your idea of year round fishing I can understand that, but saying for all then there is no way that should happen. Certain lakes would be destroyed-bad hook sets, taking fish off spawn, pressure, would all play a factor.

[DTro]

Sorry, with all due respect, I'm quite certain that zero lakes would be "destroyed" by allowing folks to catch and release continually throughout the year.

I can tell you this, I bet the Rainy River would see a whole lot LESS pressure if people had the option to fish other rivers and lakes.

[bobbymalone]

Your still going to tell me that the river system and lake doesnt offer adquate area for it to hanlde the pressure and still produce fish? If you want to be "body of water" specific when it comes to your idea of year round fishing I can understand that, but saying for all then there is no way that should happen. Certain lakes would be destroyed-bad hook sets, taking fish off spawn, pressure, would all play a factor.

I get a bit of your point, but dude... you are from Apple Valley, surely you drive past lakes... Catching and releasing fish and the associated mortality is nothing compared to hundreds and hundreds of ice houses and the buckets and buckets of fish that leave the lake every single day.

If anything is going to "ruin" a lake... It's ice fishing.

[DrJuice1980]

You got a good point there, but so do I with disrupting spawn. Which is worse? What came first the chicken or the egg?

[TruthWalleyes]

Lol, your expertise and adversity really shows drjuice

You remind me of a YouTube video....how fast is 80mph

[DrJuice1980]

Nice. Thanks for your insight on the topic. I'm sure you know more than the DNR and your ideas of why we should open seasons are more intelligent than the biology majors at the department. Go on with your bad self. I'll save the rip on you because that's not why I visit this site.

Bobby: although I agree with your shanty town ice fishing statement I believe it takes a lot more skill to succeed through the ice then it does pulling bass off beds. Most of the people in the crowd have no idea of what they are doing and many good spots can be empty. Pulling bass of beds requires a rod, reel, plastic worm and polarized glasses. That doesn't require much skill.

[TruthWalleyes]

My insight... You kill less fish when you release them than when you keep them. I also think bass are overpopulated in the majority of lakes and the size and quality add bass would most likely go up if there was a less successful spawn. many bass feeding on the same forage will yield less growth than fewer bass feeding on the same forage.

Stunted panfish lakes come to mind.

Besides, i could catch all the spawning fish i want legally was long was i don't admit that I'm targeting them....

[DrJuice1980]

Maybe it's just me but I've never came across a stunted bass lake. Why? Probably because the majority of bass fisherman C&R and they are for the most part most years, done with their spawn by season opener. I also think bass fry are a great food source like perch fry for the lake. Taking them away from spawning takes away a food source. LMBass can be a very stressful fish and sometimes won't spawn because of the stress getting caught caused. Laugh if you want at that statement but its true. If you think not then why aren't they well established in many far north lakes?

[TruthWalleyes]

Catch 100 bass. How many are over 12"...

[DrJuice1980]

Many

[Gordie]

Sorry, with all due respect, I'm quite certain that zero lakes would be "destroyed" by allowing folks to catch and release continually throughout the year.

I can tell you this, I bet the Rainy River would see a whole lot LESS pressure if people had the option to fish other rivers and lakes.

+1

[DrJuice1980]

Maybe destroyed was a bit much but I don't see the good that would come out of it. The seasons are there for a reason not for no reason.

[TruthWalleyes]

Is "many" 10, 30, 60...

Pick 5 local lakes close to you, and answer honestly.

Around here, maybe 15 of 100 over 12". Stunted...because there are too many fish eating at the same dinner table... So a little catch and release during spawn doesn't scare me too much. May even improve the size structure in many lakes.

i think many people would not fish in the early spring anyway... Just like in the fall when 90% of boats are NOT on the lake.

Also, a little less promoting of the opening of harvest season may do some good. Less excitement over the date on the calendar when you can kill a fish for the pan...more people enjoying catch and release year round. The catch and release mentality would likely carry into the harvest season.

[masoct3]

In Colorado, 1) It is open season all long and 2) You can buy a second rod stamp on your license for the season for $5.00.

[Eric Wettschreck]

The "Season" isn't over for me, actually it's just beginning. Yeah, walleyes are darn tastey but boy howdy the later ice crappie action is juuuuuuust too much fun.

I'm thinking the "Seasons" thing will never change in our lifetime because there's still too many of us with memories of fishing the opener, and like everything else, the opener means tourism $$$$$.

Dtro, I'm with ya tho. Besides the money thing I've never understood why I can't fish ice out pike as long as I let them go. For those who've never had the opportunity to fish for ice out pike, it's pretty stinkin wonderful.

[Redlineracer12]

Maybe destroyed was a bit much but I don't see the good that would come out of it. The seasons are there for a reason not for no reason.

Pool 2 of the Mississippi is C&R year round and it produces some serious walleye. It's probably hit THE hardest during spawning season when anglers don't have many other places to target walleye.

[TruthWalleyes]

There is also a tremendous amound of forage available in the Miss to keep those fish FAT and happy. Incredible the girth on those fish - They're eating well year round.

[Eric Wettschreck]

A little thing I find a bit comical.

This past weekend the wife and I pulled the permy out to a local lake we've fished quite a bit this winter. The lake was barren. Prior to this past weekend the lake was full of houses, this past weekend, nothing.

We set up, spent the weekend, and caught an absolute freaking buttload of perch and crappies. Yeah, we got some walleyes that went back down the hole but who gives a rip? Holy krap I have to wonder if everyone that were part of the walleye seasons over parade off the lake knew what they were missing.

Then again, I guess I don't care. I'll be back cuz that was too much fun.

[Steve Foss]

My season isn't even close to over, either.

Lots of lake trout yet to be caught before the ice fails. We're at 51 lakers so far, with four over 30 inches. Skol March!

[TruthWalleyes]

Eric, fall and spring are my favorite time...love the solitude on the lakes!!

[leech~~]

I've always thought it was a little odd that people would risk life and limb to get out on thin first ice for a few fish and then ditch good fish bites as soon as Walleye closes?

[Stick in Mud]

I've always thought it was a little odd that people would risk life and limb to get out on thin first ice for a few fish and then ditch good fish bites as soon as Walleye closes?

Yup. I never fish early ice...After falling in in some shallow water once, I am a coward. But March is my favorite time to get out fishing, and it's almost always pretty empty out there.

I wonder the same thing in the summer. I'll see a bunch of guys out fishing Mille Lacs or Mississippi walleyes in late-July and August, and yes you can catch some fish, but then everyone puts the boats away come September and October.