The season close, 1 week later like thise year, every year.

[tunrevir]

I don't know many of you but I have often griped(probably by myself) about the close of the Walleye/northern season over the past few years. You see, I have one of those jobs where I actually get a holiday off like Presidents day. Now I don't know if many of you get this oliday off but, I have always been a bit disappointed that the one day during the week that I can actually get off to fish late season and the walleye/pike season closed the day before. Is anyone else in the same boat? I would like to get a group together and lobby for the same closing date each year. One week doesn't make a difference does it? I would certainly think the legislators would see the benefit of a longer season with the extra tourist/sportsman dollars that would be spent during this , "Memorial weekend" at the end of winter. Anyone esle want to weigh in on this? Maybe it is just a selfish venture because I get this day off each year the day after the season closes. I don't think that there would be a huge biological impact though. I'd like to hear from the rest of you all on this matter. Thanks in advance!

Tunrevir~

[chaser]

I used to have the same problem but now that the season doesn't end till the 28th of feb i'am all smiles heading to millacs sunday till monday for walleye and perch action

[Deitz Dittrich]

You have me confused Tunrevir, Walleye season doesn't close till the 26th I believe?.. Or at least that is what the MN DNR HSOforum ways.

From the DNR web site

Quote:

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02/26/06

Walleye, northern, large and smallmouth bass, muskellunge fishing - season close

---

So have at it on your day off...go have a good time!

[Captain B.R.K]

Don't feel bad about not knowing of the closing date for walleyes. I think a lot of people still think the way you do!

That just means more water for us to fish for those that get out next weekend!!

[Captain B.R.K]

Don't feel bad about not knowing of the new closing date for walleyes. I think a lot of people still think the way you do!

That just means more water for us to fish for those that get out next weekend!!

[tunrevir]

Okay, maybe I am a putz but in years past hasn't the season closed the weekend prior to Presidents day? I always thought that it did. Maybe I missed out all these years because I didn't read my regs closely enough. I thought that this year we are getting the extra weekend. Thanks for the clarification, I better put my pen and petition away and pay more attention to what happened in years past I guess. Thanks guys for your replies. I am planning on hitting Mille lacs on Monday to see if I can manage a few fish for supper.

Tunrevir~

[croixeyes]

Tunrevir..Yes the season for eyes is extended this year.Remember that the mighty miss at redwing never closes,Also the St Croix is open til the last weekend of Feb every year.O yea then theres LOW.See you have options...........

[knoppers]

it should have always been open till the end of the month or later. they have been trying to protect the spawners from being harvested, which makes no sense, becuase any female walleye no matter when its caught is a spawner, thats why we have slots. besides, not many lakes have natual spawning. when a fish is full of spawn, and then they decide to protect it, is a mystery.

[tunrevir]

Okay, I wasn't nuts. I just so happen to have the regs booklets from the past few years and the close in 03' was the 15th and in 04' the 20th each of those dates closed prior to Presidents day. My thoughts from the initial post was why not keep the season open through Presidents day or the next weekend following it. The end of February is good too as far as that goes. I realize we get the extra week this year just like we got the early river opener to begin the year. With the slots, ect why not keep fishing open untill the liscense year expires. I'd be interested to see what data the DNR has on fishing pressure for various times of the year. I would bet the pressure peaks within 1-2 weeks around the opener and falls off and again it peaks around early ice and falls off with not much pressure towards the end of February through March.

Tunrevir~

[Hubcat]

I do believe season is open till Feb 25 next year also. They must have listened to somebody

[LMITOUT]

I was thinking this past week about the permanent off the ice date of the 26th and why that couldn't be temporarily extended this year? With this last cold snap I don't see why it would be a bad idea to push it back to March 15th for instance. It would only be roughly two weeks longer and most people haven't even put their houses out this year until the past week or so. BTW, I don't own a permanent, but I think it would be good P.R. for the DNR.

[doubleUcubed]

Pretty sure it was changed last summer in the Leg. to alway's be the last Sunday in Feb.

[tunrevir]

I sure hope it has changed as I was able to go out and fish yesterday for walleyes for the first time on Preidents day! Yahoo!

Tunrevir~