Special Reg's for Panfish?

[jjohnson5150]

I have to ask this as it is burning me.

Does anyone think the DNR should consider special regulations on lakes high in quality panfish?

I was recently out on a smaller lake that has a nice population of 10' - 12' Crappies. Just about everyone out there in the 13 boats (launch parking over flowing) was catching their limits.

Everyone has the right to take their limits.

However, as word spreads more, this body of water will be fished out clean.

Why not protect it by bringing down the limit to 5 on these types of lakes? Better yet, make a slot limit to protect the biggens.

Ice fishing will make it even easier to get out there every night.

How kicken would it be to have a trophy Crappie lake to fish without having to drive to Red?

My $.02

The DNR got the same questions.

[Corey Bechtold]

Dropping the limits to 5 on lakes like this would only make those that want to stock their freezers come back the next day or later the same day (double dipping). My guess is that if you are witnessing a hot bite that the same trucks and boats will be back there tomorrow.

If you are concerned I would call TIP and let them know of your concern. They might send someone out there to check.

I definately hear you about the lack of self discipline that some anglers have.

Let us know what happens,

Corey Bechtold

[jjohnson5150]

I sent a note on Thursday to the DNR, but I have yet to hear back.

There is no evidence of the same folks going back. Perhaps a call to TIP could step up the watchful eye though.

Thanks for the suggestion.

[Corey Bechtold]

A person has to try. All we can do is try and promote Selective Harvest and/or Catch and Release.

Good luck,

Corey Bechtold

[DTro]

There's a reason why URL had such a good stretch of crappie fishing, and it really had nothing to do with limits or regs or people having self control.

With all the walleyes gone, the fish could flourish. Now with the walleyes rebounding, the crappies numbers are coming down and stabilizing.

I really don't think a lake could sustain consistant trophy numbers of panfish. Even if it was strictly catch and release. Panfish are low on the food chain, and my thoughts are that predators in the form of other fish are just as big of factor as fisherman.

When you are dealing with fish on the upper end of the food chain, that don't have as many predators. That's when catch and release or selective harvest works much better.

Just my thoughts.

[Slyster]

I know this is a touchy subject.. but don't we ALL get enough (too much!) to eat?

C&R for every lake in Minnesota!!

That's my suggestion.... of course we would have periodic week long 'hunting' times to keep fish (To regulate the populations).

Before anyone flames me, how is this any different than any other hunting season? Good idea eh? Might even make me keep MORE fish than I do now.

[Northlander]

I would have no problem with a 5 fish limit on pan fish. I think 10 is too many. 3 guys in a boat can really make a impact on these fish, especially when they are up shallow. 3 guys keeping 30 fish (10 each) a few times a week can really knock down the numbers. Multiply that by however many other guys are out there fishing for them and the numbers can get big in a hurry.

[Pat K]

There is a lake I fish south of Alexandria that has had a 9" minimum legnth on crappies for about 10 years. The last few years the limit has been reduced to 5.

You catch very few small crappies, a lot in the 8" to 9" range and quite a few over 9".

It seems to be working there, so I would think they may try it on other lakes.

Pat K

[gorrilla]

my eyes light up lately when i see special panfish regs since that means to me there might actually be some non-stunted fish in there. Ten crappie fillets(5 medium to large fish) are enough for anyone in my opinion.

[castindad]

thirty years ago i said sauk lake will never withstand the pan fish pressure yet i still see many people out there with counters with several people in the boat or pontoon. is this an exception to the rule for pan fish reproduction? would like to hear some comments castindad

[Northlander]

Back in the early 80's 1 lake up by us had a huge crappie and gil population. Word got out and people from all over the states came up and fished it HARD. Now the crappies are hard to find. The gils have bounced back the past few years and now we have a great population of 8-11" gils. Im hoping the crappies come back just as well soon.

Unless its a really big lake fishing pressure can really take its toll.

[jjohnson5150]

The DNR called me back today in response to my inquiry. They are aware of the body of water I mentioned and have a few conserns, but overall, they are alright with the preasure. The main reason being that this lake has a fast growth rate & short life span. He said that they could cut back on harvest or have a minimum harvest size, but there would be waste as a lot of the fish would die mainly due to lack of food. They have seen evidence of this body of water going in cycles & eventually getting back to the point it's at right now.

The one thing that blew me away is that he said there may be as much as 300,000 lbs of crappies there. 200 acres & 6 semi loads of crappies! Could I have heard that wrong?

I also asked him if the foul smelling water was normal. He said that there is "blue green algae" in the lake, which may be due to farm run off. He even sent me a pdf file about the nasty stuff. Keep your dogs away everyone!

Holy dump! I'm not sure I want to ask any more questions.

lol.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

I know of a few panfish lakes not too far away that produce/produced lots of 9"+ 'gills and very decent crappies. Ive been keeping my eyes on the DNR surveys for one of the lakes and saw the size quality drop bigtime from 26 fish over 9" down to 2 fish. TWO!

I have no problem keeping fish but practice and preach selective harvest. Though sometimes it seems so useless to throw back 'gills 8.5"+ only to have the next guy keep it to stock his freezer. Atleast I can see Im changing my Dad's view. I see him throwing back those big fish with no hesitation now.

[bassNspear]

Where does a guy get ahold or email the DNR about this situation

[harvey lee]

Just google the Mn DNR and you will find it. I would say you then could go to the Contact page and e-mail away. It will give you e-mail access and a phone number.

[DEADhead]

Check out the DNR web page and click on the city where your area office is located. All the contact info for that area is listed there.

[Carp-fisher]

This is definitely an interesting subject. My brother is a fisheries biology student at the U and we were talking about this a few weeks ago. Here's an idea:

1. Special regulations during the spawning time for panfish. Maybe catch and release only or a lower fish limit?

This is the time of the year when the really large bull 'gills are most vunerable. I love panfishing and I love eating fish, but I don't like seeing people taking huge bluegills (and crappies) off their nests and into a bucket. Any thoughts?

[Black_Bay]

Quote:

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This is definitely an interesting subject. My brother is a fisheries biology student at the U and we were talking about this a few weeks ago. Here's an idea:

1. Special regulations during the spawning time for panfish. Maybe catch and release only or a lower fish limit?

This is the time of the year when the really large bull 'gills are most vunerable. I love panfishing and I love eating fish, but I don't like seeing people taking huge bluegills (and crappies) off their nests and into a bucket. Any thoughts?

---

Actually this has been discussed within the DNR. The issue is that you'd have to close the Bluegill season during May and June and the Crappie season from ice out to June. Remember crappies are in shallow to feed after ice out, not to spawn. Anglers would never go for that though. I definitely think the limits needs to be lowered if we want any kind of qualty panfishing. Occassionally there is a hot lake with big gills but those are few and far bewteen these days. Our panfish populations just can't handle the harvest levels we put on them.

There used to be lakes that had nice panfish in them because they were winterkilling on occasion. These boom and bust fisheries provided great fishing. I wish the DNR would consider shutting off aeration systems when panfish populations get overpopulated.