Need info from local fishermen

[snturner]

My wife and I will be coming up to the Battle Lake area this Saturday 6/2/07. We will mainly be fishing for Pike and yellow pearch. After reading several of the postings in this forum I have noticed that there is a big deal about open dates. Can someone explain this to me? If I am fishing for pike and catch a bass, will I get in trouble? We return all of our fish to the water. I don't like cleaning them. Other posts in this forum talk about some fishermen getting mad at other fishermen for throwing a spinner bait when the bass are spawning. Isn't a spinner bait a good lure for Pike also? Haven't people been fishing for spawning for years. Are we coming up at teh wrong time of the year?

Seems like to me ever year since I was a kid there have been plenty of spawning fish. I bet it's becuase I am releaseing my fish right after I catch them.

Can someone post a link that explains the MN laws on catch and release. I don't want to go to a different state and fish on someone else's lake and cause trouble or break the law. I like to fish with my family and have a good relaxing time... and I seldom catch very many fish.

Would anyone share info on which lake we should fish to catch pike. We don't need to catch the 35 inch pike... just some fish.

Thank you for any info you can give me.

[MuskieMojoTackle]

As of Saturday the 2nd all MN species are open season so no need to worry about that.

For the regulations do a google search for MN Fishing Regulations and you will find the regs online.

Sorry, but I cant help with the fishing in that area.

[Musky_Madness]

snturner,

Saturday might be a busy day on actual Battle Lake. The hordes of musky anglers including myself will be there for opening day. As far as pike goes...hit the weed lines and bullrushes. They'll be roaming around. Probably hit some nice bass and maybe even a musky. Just be sure to check in the regulations about pike size. A lot of lakes in MN now have limits on the size and quantity of pike that you can take if you plan on eating them. Most importantly have fun!

[eyefever]

The main thing that will get you in trouble is intentionally fishing for a species during it's closed season. I rarely use anything other than a spinnerbait for smaller northerns, but would watch it before bass season opens. Bass opened last weekend, and as stated earlier musky opens Saturday. Also, if you intend on exclusive C+R have you considered filing off your barbs. It makes the release quicker, and if you hook a fish deeper it won't tear on the way out. Good luck and have fun.

[MUSKY18]

As stated above, on 2 June every thing in Minnesota is open for angling. If there are certain restrictions for pike on lakes, they usually have the signs posted at the boat landings, so take a few minutes and get familiar with them. Also, when you buy your license, you should be able to get a hard copy of the regs. Keep it in your boat with you. You will be fine. Have a good time fishing with your family!

[snturner]

Thank you for all the info. I got the regulations and don't see any problems for us, since we put everything back.

Thanks again