MN Bass Season dates are ridiculous!

[beeflover]

I think every state in this country is open for bass but us and its makin me crazy. I don't think our DNR is any smarter than Wisconsin's. I've been fishing for bass over there the last 2 weeks. I'll be there again this next weekend too, because the stupid season in MN is not open.

The bass are not even on beds yet in WI. So maybe some bass will spawn here in MN before the season opens but certainly not all. They didn't last year with the cold spring either.

I think it's just a power trip by the MNDNR.

Bass are doing great in the state of MN because of good sportsman and catch and release, not because of the season, because the NW WI lakes are every bit as good as MN. I've spent a lot of dough over there in WI too. $40 outstate license, a couple nites at Turtle Lake Casino, gas, pop, munchies etc. Money could have been spent w MN businesses

I don't think we are questioning or pushing the DNR on this, why not?

[Tom Wilson]

I have talked with quite a few of our representatives from the DNR, and I believe it was last spring I talked with AL Stevens (head of the St.Paul office) and he had a lot to say about the subject, but it struck me as odd that he said that probably the biggest reason we do it is because it's the tradition and nobody likes change. Some people believe it has to do with the spawn, but I have lived here for 14 years, and out of at least 10 of those the fish have been nowhere close to done spawning. It is no secret that the Walleye (Lord knows why) seems to be the chosen fish in this state, but I think that if all of the bass fisherman were able to start at the same time as the walleye guys there would be a public outcry for the water that the evil bass fisherman are occupying. I'm not trying to start a fight here with those words, but there is no love lost for those of us who bass fish. Even worse is for those of us that fish tournaments. If you don't believe it just read some of the other posts. One of the posts earlier today brought up the point that if your in a bass boat--it doesn't matter how you're fishing--your targeting bass. I believe this is one of the biggest reasons that it probably won't change any time soon. Bass are the number one game fish in the United States, and are really gaining popularity here in Minnesota, eventually something will need to be done, but for now we just have to live with it.

[beeflover]

I think you have a good point. Who really cared about a bass season here 20 years ago. There hasn't been any outcry or support at all for changing the bass season.

"If your in a bass boat, you're targeting bass?" Wow, what a goof ball statement probably from someone who can't catch fish himself so he worries about maybe someone else is up on him.

I think your right about a stigma against the bass boats, some is justified by poor behavior from some bass boat operators, its considered a sport for the rich because of the expense of the rigs. There are a disproportionate number of SOB's running Bass boats. On the other hand the rigs guys use walleye fishing are really overkill too. Everybodies got over 100 hp or even 150 now is not considered large!

Maybe the walleye guys just took longer to figure out how much fun it is to run a real fast boat along with the fishin.

Not that big a deal, WI likes my money. And I sure am not wearing out the bass population over there, it's been pretty tough last two weekends.

[HawgTide]

I think we should start a movement! Gather up enough support to present the case to our representatives. This state makes a huge hoopla over fishing opener. Yet Bass fisherman aren't allowed to participate. It's discrimination for a state holiday(practically)!

They aren't doing this to protect Bass. If they are, then they have all their facts wrong. To protect the Bass spawn, they would need to have the season closed after they spawn when the males are guarding the nest and aggressive. Not when the females are carrying the eggs. I've read many articles that disproved the thought that they are helping matters with their current season.

Just think of the added revenue from people not leaving the state to fish, from all the boats, gas, lures, bait, food, etc. It's a win-win situation for the state and the Bass Fishermen.

Now, how do we get this started? Petitions, emails, etc? Anyone with me?

[luv2senko]

I couldn't agree more. All it does is pack the Mississippi and the Wisconsin lakes for the first two months of good fishing. In my opinion, there should be no closed season or at least year round catch and release. Someone needs to pull their out of you know where.

[bassman21]

I decided to email the DNR and see what they would "officially" say. They replied within a day(impressive) and this is what I got back..."Bass spawn later than Northerns or Walleye, so we try and let that

happen before opening the season and bothering them while they are

laying eggs. Kevin"

Not sure how correct they are, but figured I wanted to see what they would say

[HawgTide]

SH, care to go on record with your thoughts?

I've heard/read that for an average size lake, there only needs to be a few successful spawns per year to keep the population on track. 3 out of perhaps thousands!!!

Also, Bass spawn when the water temps are around 63-65 degrees. The water needs to be stable for a few days at those temps before they lay eggs. I don't know about your lakes, but the lakes/rivers I fish (Wright County), more times than not, the water temps will not be that warm on May 28th. It was 49-53 degrees last week! My point is that there will be just as many years as not, where the Bass have not spawned by opener.

According to B.A.S.S., there are no bad effects on catching and releasing Female Bass during the spawn phase. But, there is much more harm to the population catching the males protecting the beds. This activity can last several weeks into June.

There is already a regulation that makes it strictly catch and release for Smallies after the first or so weekend in September. Why couldn't there be a similar one for in the early season for both Largemouths and Smallies?

This can be done. It will just take some noise from the Bass fishermen. Talk to your Congressmen, start petitions, pass the word!

[ikeslayer]

Don't get too hot fellas we will always have disagreements with the authority figures that is just our boyhood nature and our Scandinavian heritage. I know i am opening my self up there. Ha Ha. Lets keep our smiles. We have been struggling with the dnr on the duck opener for example. most often it has started a week early so we shoot all our local ducks and then we have to wait for a migration and lets face it winter has been off by a few months in the past few years with 60 degree days in Dec. and 30 degree days in May. so duck hunting has been a bust for a few years too. I also petitioned the dnr to let pheasant hunting start at sunrise like some other states and they replied with the simple we have always done it that way kind of an answer. We have a conservative DNR which is good and bad. But i think they are making some good progress in some area's. There is a saying that goes the only person that likes change is a wet baby. This is probably true with the DNR as well. as for now i will keep our DNR they are alright with me even though i don't always agree with what they do i think it still pays to be an advocate of them.

[panolo]

I couldn't agree more. I think at worst the season should be open to CPR until the current opener.

[smallie_hawgin]

OK HT and others, here goes.

I have worked (and fished) in CO and TX. Neither of those states have seasons for bass, HOWEVER, there are generally more stringent bag and length limits than MN. So it becomes a trade off. MN is struck with this unique situation of the "tradition" of the opener. Biologically, none of the openers make sense statewide. There will be areas in the southern portion of the state where the openers make theoretical sense, but, the other issue that as anglers we tend to forget about is the economics of the opener craze. I am not saying it is a good thing. On the contrary, literature and some data suggests that a large percent of the pressure and harvest generally occurs around the respectiove openers.

My .02.... education!! Most folks are stuck in the grind of the opener and don't think about the biological ramifications. I am sure there are many folks within the DNR that would like to see some changes to the status quo. But it takes public support. I would encourage public involvement.

Personnally, I would like to see something similar to WI with a C & R till mid June or later for bass, depending on area of the state (ie north -south). But, we also need to consider more aggressive bag and length limits to compensate for a all year open season...

Bring it on guys (and gals)

[HawgTide]

Thanks SH. Now that I have you on record, can I quote you?

You mention the economics of the opener, but wouldn't including the Bass fishermen help the economy even greater?

Regarding the DNR guy that provided the response about the late spawning bass, how would he answer to the fact that the bass season is open in part of Northern Minnesota? This is a total contradiction to his explanation. Doesn't make sense.

Maybe if he were told he couldn't go deer hunting on hunting opener, but could go squirrel hunting instead. That is what it feels like to me.

You heard it right here, we need to make some noise!

[smallie_hawgin]

"Now that I have you on record, can I quote you? " ooof.. I may get in trouble as is.

On the economics... I think the industry has become so in tune to the opener(s) that we don't even realize it. Think about it. The resorts, bait, hotels, boat sales, tackle sales, contests, gas, food, liquor, governors opener... Heck you had mentioned it is a practicaly holiday... I would agree.

Would bass fisher folk help the economy? That is an unknown at this point. Although, I would have to think it would be an overall benefit.

As to the open season N of HWY 53... that dates back to the days of smallmouth bass "intruding" on walleye territory. It was an effort to encourage elimination of the introduced species to some of those lakes. Again a long lived tradition that does not change easily.

[HawgTide]

Don't worry, I'll protect my sources.

[Travis Peterson]

Good dialogue guys! Bass fishing has never been better in MN.

Regarding seasons, I'm in favor of longer seasons in general, to include walleye/northern. Many winters there is a good month of solid ice after the close of the season. Resorts, baitshops, etc. could add to their business, especially in northern MN.

Bass season could also be lengthened. There's certainly no spawning activity at this point in my neck of the woods. So . . . why not open the season earlier and let us get in on some prespawn opportunities. The open water period is short as it is.

Regarding limits, I am in favor of no change. Here is why. A couple of years ago when the DNR was seeking public input on changes in bag limits as well as slot limits on numerous species, I attended a couple of meetings. The question regarding bass was whether to leave the bag limit at 6 or reduce it to 4 fish. The area fisheries manager was in favor of a reduced limit. However, the statistics they published indicated that a reduction from 6 to 4 would save 3 bass out of 100 that are presently killed. Those numbers don't justify a change. I don't recall the walleye statistices but I'd be willing to bet they don't justify a change either. How many people catch 4 walleyes let alone 6?

Some of you may have completed the survey the DNR put out regarding the issues mentioned above. Questions requesting support for or against proposed changes to bag limits and/or slot limits on several species of fish were included on the single survey. Guess what? 60% of the people who completed the survey were in favor of a reduced bass limit. What percent of those people target bass intentionally? My guess is less than 5%. And . . . how much thought is someone who doesn't fish for bass going to give to that question on the survey. I feel they should have had separate surveys for different species, at least for bass, lake trout, steam trout, and muskie.

The fisheries manager told me that the largest faction of anglers opposed to reduced limits are tournament anglers. I was well aware of that. I am a bass tournament angler and he knows it. Reduced limits do indeed increase the "big fish factor" in competitive events. We don't want things to eventually turn into a "derby" where we go fishing but need to be really lucky and are really there for the door prizes. Competitive bass anglers will continue to look out for themselves. I reminded our fisheries manager that bass anglers took the torch from trout fishermen thirty years ago and promoted catch and release. C & R and selective harvest has been a success story across all species. For most species however, it really just kicked in during the last fifteen years.

I'm certainly not an adversary of the DNR. I have several friends in the department and understand they have many interest groups to attempt to please. Again,I feel the bass fishery (as well as others) is as strong as ever and commend the DNR for that.

Good to see this discussion! Vocalize your feelings to the fisheries managers in your area. Good luck bassin' next weekend. It's been a long wait!

[icanfish]

This whole season thing on bass really intrigues me! I am from Iowa so the season issue is non existent to us down south.

I never realized a season for bass existed in MN for bass, I watched lots of In-fisherman, and Angler Edge videos and they say they are prespawn fishing for bass, so I just assumed it was in Minnesota, guess I was wrong.

How does the DNR determine if you are targeting bass? I have targeted Northerns with just simple White Spinner bait. The spinner bait works both for Northern and Bass, so If I am fishing in MN I cannot use a spinner bait until May 28th????

Inquiring minds would like to know!

[smallie_hawgin]

Ican.... There in lies the other dilema..... Enforcement of the different seasons and whether you are targeting a certain species. This also comes up prior to the walleye and northern opener. It basically boils down to the CO that is watching you catch fish. If you claim you are crappie fishing before the walleye season using a husky jerk and catching walleye hand over fist.... well, there aren't many folks that would argue with a ticket. On the other hand if I am casting a large spinnerbait now (after the walleye-pike opener and before the bass opener)for pike and end up catching bass.... the line is not so clear. It is definitely a casualty of having the harvest seasons for different species on different dates. A difficult discussion no matter where in MN.

I say we should push for a C&R using biological information relevent to the latitude. In other words, not have a real harvest opener until the fish are truely done spawnig for that area of the state. However, there will be much opposition from the general "few times a year" angling public and potentially the tournament anglers. In general, they want easy fishing and catching, and some have a tendency to have the right connections with the right people. There are also a group of folks that claim the regs booklet is too complicated for them to understand....Additional restrictions, in some folks opinions would make it more difficult. So... there you have it.

[Deitz Dittrich]

Mr.Peterson, thanks for joining the chat on this subject. You bring up some very interesting points.

Great to have you on board at FM!

Not sure if you remember me or not, I used to work at Kobilkas in Bemidji from about 1990-94... Good to see(read) you again.

[FlipR70]

Yet another opinion ...

What would you guys say to paying an extra $5 for your license which would allow you to catch bass on a catch-n-release basis IF all of the extra money went directly towards bass-related stocking and/or habitat???? I've thought about this, and have noticed that the numbers of bass between our state, with a season, and others, which don't have a season to protect spawning bass, don't seem to have a significant difference in the quality of the fishery.

One of the problems I have with the DNR in their reasoning for seasons is that it doesn't seem to be data driven. I've fished the last couple of years and have noticed that the water temperature, here in the north metro area, doesn't seem to be high enough on the bass opener to have allowed the spawn to complete much less the water temperature farther north. If the DNR was truly protecting the beds, they would keep the season closed until the spawn really was complete instead of what appears to be an arbitrary date.

If a guy could pay an extra $5, knowing that it goes directly to the fish he/she is fishing for; that would allow for an opener, as before, but also an increase in the funds to stock the bass which allow us to be able to go out & do what we love. I would see it as a win/win situation because the DNR would have additional funds to help with the stocking of the fish, which may or may not (IMHO) be affected by the extra fishing pressure.

There is one negative, however, being that this would preclude early-season tournaments unless it was a picture-tournament. Let me know what you guys think.

Just my $0.02

FlipR70

[ThunderCat]

didnt tke the time reading all the posts but i hate this bass opens later thing too. Im happy to hear that the main reason for a late bass opener has to do with tradition than actual protecting the bass.

[HaywardBound]

FlipR70,

I'm with you all the way. I'd pay for a 'stamp' for catch-n-release! I do that anyway. Great idea if it is set up the way you described.

[CASTnBLAST]

I'd just as soon see the bass opener the weekend after Memorial Day unless it would be C+R only.Without fail I'm sickened every year while camping to see all the nice fish brought in by bobber fishermen and others.It's an unusually busy weekend here and the self proclaimed bass fisher people who couldn't catch a descent bass with dynamite later in the year are knockin the snot out of them.You guy's can't seriously think that takin bass of the beds doesn't have an impact on them do ya?

[RandyFish]

Cast N' Blast (and everyone else),

I, like a lot of bassers, will agree that pulling bas off beds cannot be good for the population, but that's a big part of the argument AGAINST the later opening.

The later opening date has nothing to do with the biology of bedding...it is based on tradition.

A late, cool spring (like this one) will have many (perhaps the majority) of bass bedding right at opening, or even later.

The late opener is simply being done out of tradition.

My take would be: Open bass with walleye, and require catch and release for all bass until the first weekend of July.

At least we would keep the early season stringers of big, easy fish to a minumum.

People really parse fish biology in this debate: Factors such amount of time a fish is out of the water, distance traveled before being released, point where bedding/breeding is interuptted by being caught...all of these things affect the effectiveness of catch and release.

When it comes right down to it, the best a concerned fisherman can do is release the fish as qucikly and gentley as possible under the core principle of C&R -- a nice fish cannot make more nice fish if it is dead.

Good discussion everyone.

Randy Fish

[Ole the Guide]

Catch and release after ice out until June 1rst and then release anything over 18" and only keep one larger than 22" ! Sounds good to me. Where do I sign up??

Ole

[Travis Peterson]

Hey Deitz. Yes, I remember you. Always remember a "basshead" in these parts!

I'm for fewer reglations. No species specific stamps, no catch and release seasons, no slot limits, no closed fishing areas. All of the regulations are confusing to the avid angler, let alone the occassional fisherperson. It's getting out of hand. It's getting more difficult to recruit young anglers because of all the "don'ts" involved. Unless it is broken, can't we just go fishing?!!

As far as bass fishing during the spawn, it's done all over the country. The big national bass circuits, intentionally or not, schedule their events to follow the spawn! Any adverse affects are not very well documented. Lake Fork in TX is one of the top destinations for bass fishing in the country. Thousands of bass are caught (and released) by anglers during the spawning season.

In my observation, and as pointed out by many, most years the majority of largemouth and smallmouth bass in MN have not spawned by Memorial Day, at least in northern MN, and many years in the metro and south. With 6 days until opener, still no sign of spawning activity here.

I'm all for an earlier opener.

[Superduty]

MN has some of the best bass fishing in the U.S. "If it ain't broke don't fix it" may apply. I'm against opening bass for harvest on the same date as the walleye opener for one simple reason. Opening day is one of the most heavily fished days of the year. If bass were legal table fare on opener surely many of the 1 million opening day anglers would decide to catch and keep a few (or more) bass. I'm glad the bass are protected on a day when thousands of extra anglers are out fishing.

As far as a catch and release early season, I think it would be a good idea. I think a lot of people get over concerned about catching spawning bass. In most lakes, the weather has a much larger impact on the success or failure of the spawn than bass fishermen. People forget that most fish species produce millions and millions of young with a tiny percentage ever surviving to adulthood. Producing more young does not necessarily result in more adult fish. The exception to this rule is sometimes the smallmouth bass in certain bodies of water. Not all adult smallies reproduce every year. Therefore a smaller percent of the population is responsible for the success of the spawn. These fish often need protection.

All this being said, I believe we anglers give the DNR too much credit and too much blame for good or bad fishing. Sometimes mother nature has complete control regardless of regulations.