Potential Mille Lacs Regulations

[merkman]

MnDNR Fisheries Chief Don Pereira on potential Mille Lacs regulations.

Quote:

The lake also could be reopened to northern pike spearing, in an attempt to reduce their numbers, Pereira said.

“I don’t see why I wouldn’t put northern spearing on the table for consideration,’’ Pereira said. “It might be a good thing for the local economy.’’

http://www.startribune.com/local/243033321.html

[Orlip]

What's odd to me is every time they talk about what to do to fix Mille Lacs I never here about Muskies. Are Muskies vegans? Or do Muskies have a little walleye snack once in awhile?

[mrklean]

Muskies numbers on Mille Lacs are at a 10 year low I believe size is up but numbers are low, also if you look at the number of muskies per acre on Mille Lacs it is extremely low compared to any other muskie lake in MN. I remember reading not to long ago what they estimated the muskie population in Mille Lacs to be and was very surprised at the number I wanna say it was only a few thousand but don't quote me on that.

[merkman]

Muskies numbers on Mille Lacs are at a 10 year low I believe size is up but numbers are low,

[Yooperguy]

All I cannsay Merk is wow. And I'll leave it at that. Maybe walleye anglers could learn how to let their fish go. If I'm going out and know I'm looking at releasing 80% of what I catch maybe gut hooking them isn't a great idea. Bringing them in the boat and letting them flop on the floor probably isn't great either. Soft plastics have come a long way in the last five years. Amazing how evolution works.

[rockman]

Maybe walleye anglers could learn how to let their fish go. If I'm going out and know I'm looking at releasing 80% of what I catch maybe gut hooking them isn't a great idea. Bringing them in the boat and letting them flop on the floor probably isn't great either. Soft plastics have come a long way in the last five years. Amazing how evolution works.

Hey, Yooperguy, let me give you a tip- maybe you should have posted this over in the Walleye forum. You sure get wound up about MN fishing issues, for someone who has a Michigan location. Sounds good to me if the MN DNR opens up more options to spear additional lakes.

[Gordie]

All I can say Is that I'm praying for the day when spearfishermen can use every body of water.

[Neighbor_guy]

I would love a chance to spear millelacs I think I even know what parts if the lake I would look. Simply because of the chance to see a real monster 40" fish.

I'm not sure opening spearing would help the overall numbers of walleyes but I'm sure there are times if years that walleye fry and fingerling are targeted by and cross paths with northern of various size.

Of coarse the bait shops selling decoys would enjoy doing business with us. $4 a pop for decoy suckers adds up.

[Yooperguy]

I hope they open all of them too for PIKE spearing. I have lived here in Mn for twelve years. So yes I care about this States fishery. When are some of you going to care about issues that affect fisheries instead of how I can get more meat for the table. If all of us don't start looking at sustainable fisheries, there won't be much left for our kids and grandkids.

[merkman]

I hope they open all of them too for PIKE spearing.

Yeah!!!!

Something we agree on.... and wouldn't you know it..... Re-opening one more lake to responsible law abiding darkhouse spearing what this thread is all about.....

Super Duper!!!!

Good to see you are coming around.....

Thanks for your input yooperguy.

.

[Yooperguy]

Never once was I against opening any lake so there was no "coming around ". I don't agree with how it has been done in the past. I truly hope that once these spearing bans are gone that the muskie guys and the spear guys will start doing what's best for Minnesota 's fisheries and stop trying to do what ever to get the other. If both of these groups could work on habitat and water quality with the resources we have, just imagine. Some of your guys statements lately in the outdoors news really makes me doubt I will ever live to see this though.

[rockman]

Outdoor News didn't appear to show anything of the sort, as far as anyone's commentary, in the articles I read on their HSOforum. It also appears there is no new posts, or threads, in the Muskie forum here, regarding your views. Just sayin'. I'm sure everyone here is for water quality, and for resource management, but those issues might be best left for Silly Town. And yes, spearing should be allowed on all lakes, for species of fish that are legal to do so.