A Big Year

[toughguy]

Has anyone seen that movie? These guys drive around the country to see how many different bird species they can see in one year. Terrible movie yes but it got me to thinking it would be cool to see how many different fish species your could catch in one year in MN. The rules are you have from Jan 1 to Dec 31, need to catch the fish in MN waters and take a picture of it. I think 50 might be possible. I made a quick list and came up with 35 but there are plenty of rough fish that I'm sure I left off the list. Has anyone ever tried this? It would make catching a small or weird fish more fun.

[IcePro]

Good Movie.

On the fishing opener we have a contest and award goes to the person that caught the most species that weekend.

We also have a non fishing event as well which is the same as the movie "A Big Year". Who ever spots the most birds wins. Allows something to do for all ages.

If you take a picture do not post the size

[toughguy]

You could even do this in teams with pictures on this site. Kind of like what they do with Turkey hunting.

[DTro]

There is a couple of really good species contests that happen in MN. I could be mistaken, but the winner each year has like 30-40 I think.

[erikwells]

Everything is a contest. Got to like the competitive mindset many have on this site.

[DTro]

yeah, those dang contests ruin everything don't they. Sucks making all those friends and having such a good time.

[Gordie]

yeah, those dang contests ruin everything don't they. Sucks making all those friends and having such a good time.

You can say that again!!

[dan z]

Darn contests make me look terrible! But then again how many people have caught more than 22 species in Minnesota this year ?

[toughguy]

I really think we should start one of these contests with teams of 3 or 4 on this site on Jan 1. It will be cool to see all of the strange things people catch.

[Gordie]

Darn contests make me look terrible! But then again how many people have caught more than 22 species in Minnesota this year ?

Me.... oh wait that is 22 of one species

[RumRiverRat]

I am at 18 or 19 this year.

[DTro]

In the last hour I caught:

bullhead

pumpkin seed

carp

stone cat

perch

crappie

sunfish

green sunfish

creek chub

shiner

This Central Stoneroller was a new one I caught on Sat:

[toughguy]

I want to be on your team

I caught my first gar this weekend. That's what got me thinking about it.

[dan z]

Hold the phone here Mr. Troseth a dip net is cheating

In the last hour I caught:

bullhead

pumpkin seed

carp

stone cat

perch

crappie

sunfish

green sunfish

creek chub

shiner

This Central Stoneroller was a new one I caught on Sat:

[DTro]

Nope that was all on my creek chub rod. Its amazing how many species are in these little creeks.

[Down Deep]

We are lucky to live in a fishing state like Minnesota where we can catch a rainbow in the morning, a king salmon in the afternoon, a largemouth bass the next morning and a sturgeon that afternoon. The fun in this challenge would be the planning and travel necessary to rack up the species. I think it would be a great way to discover more water and meet some great people.

[erikwells]

It's a big day for me to shoot a pheasant and catch a walleye in the same day. I think I'm pretty cool when I pull that off. This weekend I'm hoping to shoot a goose and catch a walleye. Not sure why it's a big deal to me but it just is. Have fun gentleman.

[toughguy]

I agree there aren't many states were you can hunt/fish the variety of things we can here in MN. Last fall we were at a buddies cabin close to Aitkin and we thought of an idea to send several groups of 2 people out in different directions to see what we could bring back in one day. Send a group after pheasants and ducks, another group after crappies and walleyes, one after deer and grouse, and so on. Then we could have a meal that night or the next day with all of the game we gathered. We didn't do it but I think it would be neat to try it some day.