Support those that support us

[MJ1657]

I read an article where Garrison Sports is in favor of the lifted spearing ban on Mille Lacs and looks forward to serving spear fisherman. Next time you need supplies spend your money with them and make it known that you appreciate their support.

If anyone else knows of businesses that take the same position spread the word.

[smnduck]

That's a BIG nope!

[Gordie]

Thank You for your support GS!

[brian6715]

I guess I will keep getting bait at Prince's

[Neighbor_guy]

Last I checked Prince's sold decoys and decoy suckers.

I'm not sure why you's guys feel the need to be negative. This isn't Wisconsin, we aren't spearing walleyes. Nor is it michigan, we aren't spearing muskies. (Perfectly legal over there by the way) The change in regs is for the benefit of the lake. If you don't like it fish someplace else, and take your negative attitude along, cause we don't need you.

[Neighbor_guy]

Good for Garrison Sports. I expect others in the area to take the same stance. A new source of revenue will be good for them and the area.

I may even consider renting a day shack if one of the resorts is smart enough to put them out. Just to support em.

Bait, munchies, beverages, fuel, dinner on the way home, it all adds up, and I am more than willing to do my part.

[brian6715]

I am not against spearing or the responsible people who do it, but what I am against is the guys who spear every 30+ inch fish that swims under their hole. I know many of you say you let those fish go, but for every one of you that is responsible I bet there are 10 out there that wouldn't let that fish pass.

I understand spearing a trophy, say a 40 inch plus fish that one would want to put on the wall... but I won't and cannot support killing that 8-15 lb fish to can or eat; and it just seems that MANY people are really excited to go spear Mille Lacs because of the big northerns that swim in it's waters, and not because of the trophy potential.

I know the Walleye crowd wants the Northerns thinned out, but it would be so cool to have a trophy pike lake (like say, LOTW or URL) in the central part of the state. But, I understand, this is the state of Walleye, and trying to argue in support of any other fish just about gets you banished to Iowa.

[mrklean]

I know many of you say you let those fish go, but for every one of you that is responsible I bet there are 10 out there that wouldn't let that fish pass.

I would have agreed with you probably 10 years ago but the times are changing we are pushing more to let the big girls go and practice responsible harvest

[mnspearingguide]

As a spearing guide, I can argue till we are both blue in the face that there is very few people that take the 30+" fish. I take out roughly 100 groups out during the winter. I can count on both hands how many 30+" fish get taken. Everytime I get out to the houses to pack up for the day, I hear story after story of the 30+ fish coming into the decoy, and how they watched it swim around and let it go to reach that trophy status. I am not saying there isn't the bad ones out there, but 98% of everyone I know is very responsible, and according to state law, we can take one a day over 30+, and if someone is taking more than that in a day, they are poachers, breaking the law. Yes there are a few every year taken for the trophy status, and they go on the wall. But it doesn't matter if they were taken with a spear, or with a line, in that person's eye, it was going on the wall either way. I can safely say, that 95% of all the fish taken in my houses range from 24"-28". that is the preferred size people are taking for meals.

[Mike89]

here it goes again, anyway I too would go ther and support them.

[Gordie]

I know the Walleye crowd wants the Northerns thinned out, but it would be so cool to have a trophy pike lake (like say, LOTW or URL) in the central part of the state. But, I understand, this is the state of Walleye, and trying to argue in support of any other fish just about gets you banished to Iowa.

The thing is the lake is already a trophy pike lake and not enough fish for them the way it is.

The baits stores are going to cater to the guys that are going to make them money and if its selling spears and decoys most will follow that to earn that dollar.

[MJ1657]

I cant wait to go up there for a couple reasons. It will be cool seeing how many pike there are and if there are a lot of big fish. The other reason is I love going to the bar/restaurants around Mille Lacs. Nothing better then a long day of spearing then packing up and having a good burger and an ice cold beer with friend.

I will definitely be buying all of my munchies, bait and any other prizes I think I need from the spots that cater to spear fisherman.

[delcecchi]

Last I checked Prince's sold decoys and decoy suckers.

I'm not sure why you's guys feel the need to be negative. This isn't Wisconsin, we aren't spearing walleyes. Nor is it michigan, we aren't spearing muskies. (Perfectly legal over there by the way) The change in regs is for the benefit of the lake. If you don't like it fish someplace else, and take your negative attitude along, cause we don't need you.

If you believe spearing is sportsmanlike, why should spearing walleye or musky be any different? Is a Northern Pike somehow a lesser fish than walleye or musky?

[MJ1657]

If you believe spearing is sportsmanlike, why should spearing walleye or musky be any different? Is a Northern Pike somehow a lesser fish than walleye or musky?

No they are not lesser but that is the laws we deal with. I personally have no problem with it. I'm not interested in spearing walleye or a musky.

Its amazing that I start a thread encouraging people to spend money with some local business's and it turns into guys trying to bait people into fights.

[mrklean]

Lundeens is another that will be supporting the spearing community, on the way up to the Winnie GTG we stopped there got a few suckers and chatted with him in December he made the comment there is talk there gonna open Mille Lacs to spearing and he couldn't be happier. I thought he was crazy but he knew something we didn't know.

[MJ1657]

Lundeens is another that will be supporting the spearing community, on the way up to the Winnie GTG we stopped there got a few suckers and chatted with him in December he made the comment there is talk there gonna open Mille Lacs to spearing and he couldn't be happier. I thought he was crazy but he knew something we didn't know.

That's great. I will add them to my list.

[merkman]

I am 45 min away from there but; I think my perm will go on Mille Lacs next year.

My normal lake winterkilled again this year and I will be doing my part to take as many small northern pike out of Mille Lacs along with supporting the local economy up there next year.

Don't listen to the naysayers who present opinions without facts to back them up... the facts clearly show that hook and line takes far more northern pike than darkhouse spearing does. That is more small pike, more medium pike, and yes more large pike. Also ignore the flaw in their thinking that even though a sportsman hunts and fishes many species with many different legal methods ethically and responsibly; that somehow when they pick up a darkhouse spear they throw all that out the window. Dont belive the opinions that somehow cutting a 2 foot by 4 foot sqare hole in the ice that northern pike are magically attracted to it... if that were the case you wouldnt see many round tip up holes. Some people are just against the killing of wild fish and game... heck there are people out there against our right to bear arms.... but it is OK... This is America... is their right to have opinions without facts. I respect those comments for what they are... opinions without facts.

The fact is (barring any unforseen changes) I will be darkhouse spearing on Mille Lacs next year... and as Mr John Peters always says... I'm OK with that.

-Merk

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[mwal]

I will support some business up their. I welcome the chance to spear there again. Has the DNR published where the highest Densities were? Back in then we went to wahkon bay. And out of the public access out of isle. We did not get many but usually got a quality fish. I had a house out of agate bay for 20 years and caught occasional large pike on the reefs. Never caught anything under 15 lbs in 20 seasons. So the east side rocks are not where you would go for under 30 inch fish. The north end weed patches and breaks may produce and provide some awesome filming opportunity for pike and muskie

Mwal