Icing Catfish!!!

[Guest]

I agree. That is why I have been a part of the joint MN DNR & ND G&F Red River Basin Creels Surveys since the inception of the Spring conservation season.

If you wish I can point you to sources for a copy's of that Creel Survey data from both states?

You will find the data shows a higher C&R rate in that time span then during the rest of the whole year. Harvest is lower then the target harvest rate designated as optimum for the system. Enforcement data shows fewer violations issued even with higher man hours on patrol and an increase in enforcement personnel on both sides of the river.

The existing regulations imposed by the Spring Conservation Season has proven to be not detrimental to the stocks. In fact more year class's of walleye are represented now then ever before in creel as well as net surveys on the basin. The data on Creel Surveys shows this very well.

Even with a steady increase in angler interest the harvest rates fall and the catch rates increase every season. The average size ratio for walleye on the Red River Basin is larger then most of the inland waters. The data is very interesting to wade through.

My largest concern is ND may wish to streamline the rules further, thus eliminating the Spring Conservation Season mandates. They may wish to allow the same regs as the rest of the state in that time frame.

This "Streamlining" I am highly against and have voiced my concerns openly on both sides of the border.

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[fiskyknut]

My point is the potential is there for exploitation, whether it be harvest or C&R fishing of these fish when they are at their most vulnerable, and are so easy to catch at certain spots.

I have seen exploitation firsthand by a few, and this is a concern shared by others. Some of these spots are indeed well known to many.

I am well aware of census data, and will again suggest that most anglers abide by laws. I see this as a good part of said C&R ratio. The potential is there and it is happening each spring.

C&R fishermen, or anglers harvesting fish, I see as a threat due to the vulnerability, and ease of catching these fish.

This potential for exploitation is at the least as viable as the potential for exploitation of catfish thru means mentioned ealier as a concern.

This is all I have to say on this.

fiskyknut

[Guest]

I agree the potential is there for abuse.

If we see it, we should report it. Most of the infractions sited are violations generated from "Tips".

[fiskyknut]

The exploitation of Walleye stocks when they are at their most vulnerable on the Red river basin in ND, is I feel, as do many, an ongoing concern, and at least as viable as any percieved potential threat to Catfish stocks by spearing. Apparently this is something that is not shared by some of those who are so concerned with a 'potential' threat to catfish, and therefore should not be addressed. I question why the potential exploitation of walleyes, when they are at their most vulnerable cannot also be addressed as this was a discusion that concerns me as well as others who fish the Red river basin.

[brian6715]

Yea spearing Cats would just be a shame. I can just see a couple dirtbags going out and harvesting a ton of them to. You know there are guys out there that woulld just go and slaughter as many as possible. But back to the topic, do any of you guys know of any good catfishing lakes in Southern Minnesota? Like Mankato, Faribault area? Just wondering. Thanks, Brian

[P Gottshall]

I took my dad ice-fishing last year. My dad is a die-hard cat-man, & of course brought along some frozen chicken liver. All the other guys at the lake laughed until Dad pulled a 3lb channel through the hole. Then another. Then another. Suddenly everyone was drilling holes around Dad, borrowing treble hooks & stealing liver. And they say you can't get cats through the ice!

[Toad]

One bait that I think may be overlooked this winter is this new Bio-Bait (yes, for catfish). Haven't tested the theory yet, but I've got four small channel cats in the stock tank in my garage-- they've been munching bits of the Shiner/Mealworm flavor like chickens on a junebug . Also, the buoyancy of the baits make it super easy for cats to inhale.

If anyone gets a chance to try the stuff on ice, let us know how it works. I'll definitely be giving Bio-Bait a shot on lakes around St. Cloud / Richmond all winter. We'll see!

-a friend,
Cory Schmdit

[vern]

If Bio-Bait is anything like Berkley Power Bait then I'm sure it will work well. I normally tip my jigs with a piece of shiner or the head of a fathead minnow, but Berkley Power Nibbles have worked good too. I usually carry a few jars with me. It's a great back-up bait if nothing else. I'll have to check out the Bio-Baits. Vern