Fishing Pressure?

[wooduck26]

This topic came up both nights in the boat this weekend, after noticing more boat traffic (Cat fisherman) that "normal" in all areas we fished, Do you guys think fishing pressure effects Cats? in what ways if so?

[DTro]

I think it does, and I'd agree about the pressure being escalated.

It's really a bitter sweet thing. This thing we like to call the internet, has increased pressure for all species, summer and winter.

I get discouraged when I see a boat set up on a spot I want to fish, but yet I do realize that seeing other boats could indeed be partly my own fault.

I'm reserved to the fact that it's only going to get worse, so instead of denying it, I think it's better to embrace it and hopefully educate people to use selective harvest. As long as the fish are there they will bite. The fisherman will have to adapt and change with the fish however they react to the increased pressure.

[rushing]

Well if there is more cats being kept thats obviously going to hurt fishing greatly. I would think there would be an increased fish mortality due to more of a chance for fish to be mishandled or gut hooked.

The Minnesota River is gonna start to suffer big time in the next few years due to increased pressure from regular seasonal fishermen and now FIVE "cat contests" being ran in July and August. These "contest" put alot of negative pressure on the fish and on the river itself. Fish being kept or fish being removed and transported to another parts of the river. These contests bring in the occasional river fishermen who might not understand or know how to handle a large cat or might not have the equipment to transport a large cat safely. Not to mention the tons of trash left behind up and down the river. I would love to see the organizers of these contests at least take more responsibility in also organizing a river clean up after the tournament.

I don't think a cash prize is worth taking the chance of damaging our river.

[aanderud]

Yeah it would be nice if the contests didn't require a weigh in, and instead could let you use a control item and take a picture of length/weight measurements. Of course that'll never happen.

Selective harvest is really the key when fishing in places that are so accessible to the metro area. Look what it's done on Mille Lacs -- a lake that's <2 hours drive from probably 4 million people, yet it continues to prosper for 'eyes, smallies, and 'skis. I strongly believe that regulating selective harvest is necessary, it can't really be an 'optional' thing left up to the angler. There are plenty who will follow good common sense, but plenty more who will continue to deny that C&R makes any difference.

I also think that different bodies of water require different rules. While it may complicate matters to come up with different length and possession limits for different bodies of water, it allows for tailoring that fits the pressure of the lake. The pressure obviously varies due to many factors, including proximity of the water to large population centers, accessibility of the body of water to various boat types (many 'kato river areas are off limits to many boat owners with deep V boats, for instance), shoreline accessibility, etc. Considering this angling pressure variance, I can't really agree that a "one size fits all" regulation makes sense. Unfortunately, that's what we have.

I guess in my thinking, if tailoring the rules to fit the body of water is too difficult, time consuming, or expensive, then the DNR should take the most conservative approach -- catch and release only. They should limit their guessing of 'safe' possession limits to those bodies of water that they actually study.

It's not a coincidence that ML offers some of the best (if not THE best) 'eye fishing in the state, and it's also one of the most regulated waters in the state. For instance, the harvest was surveyed throughout the spring/early summer, and the rules were adjusted mid-summer this year to compensate for an exceptionally heavy bite this spring. Here's an instance where they have not only regulated in selective harvest with their original slot (NO fish over 20 inches, which is a stronger statement and has a much bigger effect than the catfish limit of ONE fish over 24 inches) -- but they've adapted that slot as the season goes on. This intensive monitoring and regulation DOES work. If the DNR doesn't want to spend the money on all species and all bodies of water, they do have the C&R only option, or at the very least conservative harvest limits, like a very strong NO FISH over XYZ inches rule. Sure, you'll have guys whining about it, but you'll also see better fishing, which might change some minds.

There's plenty of 'eyes and crappies and perch and other very populous species for us to eat without endangering the flathead population for the dinner tables.

[harvey lee]

My thoughts on the fishing contests for flatheads due nothing for the population of these great fish. They do however make some money for a select few people. I do release all my flatheads and always will as I can get a meal elsewhere. We, as fisherman will have to do everything in our power to make sure we are very carefull with these fish as far as releasing them and try and educate every new cat person on the importance of taking care of this specie or the rivers population will decrease.

Its great that many new people are trying out the catfishing, one just needs to help them understand the value of these trophies. Thats just my opinion.

[Larry FlatCaster]

I think that fishing pressure has increased somewhat, but not to the proportions that it looks to be.

What is happening is when you get a contests such as KOTC you bring a group of people together that normally would not communicate on the level we are, in sharing data, information and spots. Not only do you have your core group but add another 30% in Lurkers at a minimum.

With the attention that we are drawing to this sport, we are becoming much more aware of our fellow anglers when participating in a community contest such as this. As our knowledge level grows we start to become very conscious of the impact that each and every one of us makes every time we are out on the river.

The MN river is getting an unbelievable amount of exposure and KOTC is driving a normally relaxed group of fisherman to produce. Does it hurt the fishery. In most instances we don't see fish harvested. It does happen, and those that do are pretty discrete.

If you feel that are too many on the MN river go work the Mississippi theres lots of big ones in there too.

Keep in mind 24inch cat is not very big, your allowed 1 that size and only 2 Flats. I've never harvested a flat. The current guidelines are in place for a reason.

thanks

LFC

[Larry FlatCaster]

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This topic came up both nights in the boat this weekend, after noticing more boat traffic (Cat fisherman) that "normal" in all areas we fished, Do you guys think fishing pressure effects Cats? in what ways if so?

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Keep in mind that this was a very warm long holiday weekend. And everyone who owns a boat was out. Things will simmer down with the low water coming.

[rushing]

The metro area isn't the only place that sees major pressure. You can go up and down the river and see people shore fishing everywhere down here. We have tons of shore fishing pressure due to the typically lower water levels and easier shore access throughout the fishing season around the Mankato area.

I have no problems with people keeping smaller flats because they can be replaced by nature easy enough but these large fish that take forever to get that way should be protected vigorously and to have a contest that exploits these large fish should be outlawed. It was one thing when they only had a couple of contests but now theres FIVE!

Why not have a carp contest instead?

Maybe next year Menards will start having a chainsaw contest where everyone goes out and cuts down the largest tree they can find and the winner gets a prize.

[Larry FlatCaster]

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Why not have a carp contest instead?

Maybe next year Menards will start having a chainsaw contest where everyone goes out and cuts down the largest tree they can find and the winner gets a prize.

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Interesting perspective.

[ec30_06]

I just hope that the pressure will not make the flatheads hook smart. I know of a few fish that have been caught several times in a season, so hopefully that won't happen. I agree that something should be done done about the contest's that encourage people to remove cats from the river and drag them to weigh in sites. I know that several fish died last year during the Belle Plaine contest. One positive of the exposure the internet has brought to catfish is the catch, quick photo, and release idea. The quicker the photo the better in these extreme temps we have had lately.

[DTro]

Well, maybe it's time to start the Mudcat Mafia

I like the Menards analogy Rob

About the contests....I guess I have to agree. In these instances I like to compare to other large predator gamefish. Can anyone think of any Musky contests that would be run this way? Oh that's right, these are only catfish we are talking about.

[harvey lee]

There is a cure to these contests, everybody stay away and dont purchase a ticket until they change their way of the handling of these fish. If they loose money they will either have to change or stop.

Maybe what one might need to do is to find out who runs these contests and consider seeing if they would be interested in changing the way they account for the fish caught.

[tweedlap]

Great thought Harvey. Don't buy a ticket and don't participate.

In the mid 70's I quit fishing the Walker Derby (muskies) because I could not convince the Walker Chamber of Commerce to not have a "Kill" only tourny.

I understood their promotion thing. They would have 10 to 20 frozen muskies hanging for all to see and then award prizes. The tourists loved it but it was not in the best interst of Leech Lake.

With a positive approach,the longterm good of the fishery, maybe some of the sponsors can be convinced to take another look at how they choose to run their contests.

If a lot of folks share their feelings about these things:

change can and will happen.

Good fishing,

tweed

[hanson]

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Well, maybe it's time to start the Mudcat Mafia

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Wonder where that idea came from...

I like it!

I've said my peace on the contests before. No need to rehash it or I'll be in a real sour mood for the rest of the day.

[Scott K]

I stopped going to the contests years ago. I was a regular at the bp contest, I hated to see people bring in cats with a 2 inch round rope stuck through their mouth, or the fact that they had a holding tank, I argued about that to the head person, that they should be brought back to the river and released right after weigh in, he said they have the stock tank there so people can see the big ones caught. I thought it would be a better idea to have the big ones still living after the contest.

Anyway, to get off the contest subject and back to the fishing pressure, fish will learn and change, then the fishermen will have to also, just like any other species.

Everyone is comparing it to musky fishing, but with musky fishing the dnr stocks muskies, I dont thing they stock cats in the river, so if people keep them, we dont have dnr to restock them. If you are going to keep them 2-5 lbs should be the limit, nothing bigger. And the tree comparison was great!

[hanson]

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I stopped going to the contests years ago. I was a regular at the bp contest, I hated to see people bring in cats with a 2 inch round rope stuck through their mouth, or the fact that they had a holding tank, I argued about that to the head person, that they should be brought back to the river and released right after weigh in, he said they have the stock tank there so people can see the big ones caught. I thought it would be a better idea to have the big ones still living after the contest.

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I see that we could have a good time in the boat together. I like the way you think!

[Rlinn]

Anyone know a good shore spot without a crowd? I promise....... I won't tell a anybody!

[Note from admin: Please read forum policy before posting again. Thank you.]

[rushing]

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Well, maybe it's time to start the Mudcat Mafia

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Start? I would elaborate but you might get wacked!

[Flaco651]

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Well, maybe it's time to start the Mudcat Mafia

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Start? I would elaborate but you might get wacked!

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Forget about it!

[dps]

Fishing pressure and fishing contest... I guess I will step up the plate here as most of the regulars here know that I am probable the sole reason for the significant increase in fishing pressure(cats) around the twin cities, and to outlaying areas... Many users here are people I took under my wing and got them started into catfishing.. and they later did their own thing, got others interested... etc, etc. I got Moores bait into the swing of things and gave them the resources and connections for catfishing equipment, exposed them to the market, even organized contest(CPR only)... and so forth.

So.. I guess.. in partial.. blame me for part of increased pressure all over the place. Its something that we are all going to have to deal with in the future as catfishing will get even more popular.. people like to catch big fish.

The good and the bad... we have more pressure now, and people willing to go out of the way to find these desolate fisheries.. right along with people fishing right in the metro in places that were never pressured before... or, competition in areas that none of us ever considered because nobody else was targeting the species... The god part of this is now we have more people to share information with, learn from, make new friends and fishing partners.. get inside tips to new spots from people who didnt even know what a flathead was a few years ago... It definately has changed catfishing in Minnesota. Even those who are the strongest opposed to new peoplefihing and area, and most secretive wih spots/info... are usually quick to bring a friend fishing and slowly but surely.. it creates more people interested in the sport.

It only makes sense folks... some people are getting tired of going to *that lake up north* just to try to catch a decent fish after spending a fortune in fuel.. then getting surrounded by 36 other boats trying to catch the same fish as the waterskiers are passing by with the jetski's jumping their wakes while they float around all day for a sunburn, and 2 walleyes larger than what a slot limit allowed... hmmm... catfishing in some remote location with no commotion with the chance of catching a trophy fish without spending $3K in tackle just to throw 6 oz chunks of wood all day to MAYBE catch a 34" fish that might weigh 8 pounds.. hmmm.

The only way catfishing is going to slow down and diminish in popularity is if everyone quits talking about it, and stops introducing new people to the sport....

Myslef, I dont mind the option of calling 12 different people to see how the fishing has been in different areas, and find a fishing partner just about any night of the week.

[hanson]

Guess I would like to add a few things in response to Dave's post.

Contests? I'm fine with them. If, and this is a big if, they are done right! I have no problem with the Moore's Contests, Belle Plaine Cat League, and the KOTC contests. These types of contests provide us catfisherman with an alternative to the bar/bait shop sponsored, bounty hunt, lets mishandle and treat fish contests. That alternative is a friendly competition with safe handling and release of the fish. These contests are Catch, Photo, Release with length/girth measurements required for making an entry. Fish are photo'd, measured, and released at the catch site giving them the best opportunity for survival after the release.

I can't say the same about the other contests, where transporting live fish via land in containers, tubs, tanks (which is illegal BTW) to a weigh in site where they are weighed and placed in a small holding tank to be released hours later. The only person who benefits from these types of contests is the person organizing them, they are making $$$$$$ at the fishes expense.

Honestly, in regards to fishing pressure, there are definitely some areas that are getting pounded hard lately. I think the reason for this is close proximity to large cities and easy access as well, either shore or boat. There are also plenty of areas that aren't seeing many fisherman as well. There's probably a reason for that as well.

I don't mind the few extra boats out on the river, just be courteous and give people space. When I say give people space, I mean give people SPACE! The river is not a lake. If I'm fishing a hole on an outside bend, please don't anchor within casting distance of me. I've been seeing this more and more lately with 2-4 boats anchoring in the same corner. Geeeeeezzz... Its one thing if its your buddies, its another thing to pull up on some strangers like that.

[PierBridge]

Well said dps and Hanson.

And yes I'll blame dps for my 5th flathead over 30lbs this year caught last night on the upper Mississippi.

[Ralph Wiggum]

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And yes I'll blame dps for my 5th flathead over 30lbs this year caught last night on the upper Mississippi.

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You suck

Way to go I haven't seen the river in 3 weeks

[Shack]

I firmly feel "rough" fish fishing goes in cycles.

I do believe for local metro area river shore and boat fishing it is on an up side right now. There are many reason's for this and some have been stated and another is fuel cost and staying close to home (possibly large "new" boat payments as well). Also people’s lively hood habits on the hobbies the love. Take my self for instance, do to a couple of reason's I have not traveled any further north than Princeton to go fishing this summer. I have hit the far north lakes for about 8 years very hard and have lost a little interest in fishing northern lakes like Mille Laces for the time being. Also do the interests of my fellow fishing buddies, the metro area was going to be our target for this summer, even before I started KOTC. It is how the cards of life end up laying down. Taking a couple years off of up north lakes and going to metro area is a cycle I have found my self and buddies going round since we started to drive.

All reasons stated prior come into play and in a couple years people will look to other areas to fish (I believe). At least this is what I have found my self in through out my fishing life.

Contest and tournaments!

I have lost all and any interest to put effort into entering them, because I never win. Not to mention the money involved in going and participating in them. Also I always felt they were not in the best interests of preserving the out right quality of fishing. I feel like its one money hungry entity that profits off of a lot of good old boys and so on and so on!

This is why I like the KOTC, no money, no prize, come as your are or do not go at all. No pressure, just good clean fishing fun. I think the impact of pressure down in the metro has little or nothing to blame with our posts on this site. As stated before, most of my encounters shore fishing is with people who do not even speak, let alone read English.

I think the Flathead population is only going to rise, sure you are always going to get some boob’s who take something home they should not of and probably do not eat it anyways. But that occurs in anything that humans are involved in.

Peace out,

SHACKBASH