Big Dead Mudeye in LeSueur

[DARK30]

Yesterday afternoon there was a 55# mudeye caught near downtown LeSueur. It was transported to the a bait shop for photos. It was transported back to the river where it could not be revived. Its illegal to move fish without a permit anyway.

Its too hot for that! Especially for inexperienced people without the right equipment. Can't wait to see the Belle Plaine snake show. By the way...I wonder who will take the big prize for the 23rd largest flathead this year. Ya think people will not bring in small ones?

[Shack]

Post deleted by shackbash

[DTro]

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Yesterday afternoon there was a 55# mudeye caught near downtown LeSueur. It was transported to the a bait shop for photos. It was transported back to the river where it could not be revived. Its illegal to move fish without a permit anyway.

Its too hot for that! Especially for inexperienced people without the right equipment. Can't wait to see the Belle Plaine snake show. By the way...I wonder who will take the big prize for the 23rd largest flathead this year. Ya think people will not bring in small ones?

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These fish are pretty tough, but they are not invincible. That's really too bad. Just to get a photo too. Sorry, but if I'm boneheaded enough to not bring a camera with, that's my fault and the fish shouldn't have to die.

That 23rd place is gonna kill a bunch of fish

[Papa Grump]

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Its too hot for that! Especially for inexperienced people without the right equipment. Can't wait to see the Belle Plaine snake show. By the way...I wonder who will take the big prize for the 23rd largest flathead this year

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I hear ya Dark! Several people have talked about taking over the contest, but it's hard to get any common sense into place. Unforunately with the hot temps and low water I'm afraid that there will be a bunch of dead ones, It also doesn't help that the hole that used to be under the BP bridge is GONE! At least the ones that survived had deeper water to go into and get rested up.

[crazyice]

I am personally guilty of the transpoting thing. Earlier this year I caught a Nothern Hogsucker that was a full inch longer than the state record, so I loaded it up in a pail of water and took it to town. Turned out to be just shy of the record so I returned it to the water it came from. I figured maybe it will be a record someday. A side note, these are actually one of the rarer species of suckers. So I felt especially obligated to return it to the water alive.

For a state record flat, how would you feasibly transport something over 70 lbs without killing it???? I think that I would take a bunch of pictures, measurements, hopefully have a scale that would go that high to weigh it, and release it. I don't think that one could do all of the necessary things that need to be done to record a state record with out jepordizing the fish, and we all know how valuable and rare a fish of that size is.

[DTro]

I've thought about this a lot, and posted about it before, but the more I think about it. In this day and age, I would take out the video camera and document the measurements (scale and tape) record my thoughts, and watch it swim away. That would be a whole lot more gratifying then having my name is a book and more than likely killing it in the process.

[harvey lee]

One can help save some flatheads by not entering this contest and telling others the harm that they could cause by doing so.

[rushing]

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One can help save some flatheads by not entering this contest and telling others the harm that they could cause by doing so.

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Well said Tom!

I dont understand how the DNR lets these contests take place.

[hanson]

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I dont understand how the DNR lets these contests take place.

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They are "just" catfish. Cats aren't a DNR priority.

You can bet your arse they wouldn't let a muskie contest get run this way.

Anyone know the local DNR officials who would be responsible for permitting these contests? Mankato, Belle Plaine, Carver, St Peter?

Maybe a letter writing campaign would let them know how the majority of us cat anglers feel about this. These contests (and dead fish) definitely portray us cat guys in a bad way.

[sparcebag]

Flood the DNR with complaints,suggestions,by email,They'll take notice,But like everything they do, it'll take time!No time like the present to start to protect these fish!

[Scott K]

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Yesterday afternoon there was a 55# mudeye caught near downtown LeSueur

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I heard of this also, but what I heard it was 46.1 lbs, I have 2 friends that seen it, and talked to them on sunday when it was caught. I may have also got bad info, but I have heard from them both that have went to his house to see the fish. He does feel bad for it dieing. He is now going to have it mounted.

I have to imagine this is the same story, just 2 different views, I hope there wasnt 2 biggens to die this weekend.

[Farmboy1]

I have a hard time believing that people who are dedicated enough to fish for flatheads, would rape and pillage the resource like that. All for bragging rights? Seems rinky dink to me

[DARK30]

One has to be careful about rumors and "I Heard" stuff but the guy I work with at Cambria also said the fish was going to get mounted. So either 46 or 55 ... still a good lesson.

With the hot water temps and the hot weather, Its tough on a fish just to reel it in and snap a photo much less transport it somewhere.

[KMR85]

If you dont have a large cooler and some sort of areation, how do you think you can get a fish to a bait shop and back in 90+ degree weather and still have it live? Especially a fish around 50lbs. Good job on having good intention on returning it to the river, but terrible job with common sense!

[rushing]

Its not legal to transport a live fish anyways.

People should maybe grow a brain and buy a camera, a disposable is all of $5 or at least call some one up to come take a picture.

Its gonna be spendy to have that mounted, woulda been cheaper to buy a digi cam.

What a shame.

[harvey lee]

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I dont understand how the DNR lets these contests take place.

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They are "just" catfish. Cats aren't a DNR priority.

You can bet your arse they wouldn't let a muskie contest get run this way.

Anyone know the local DNR officials who would be responsible for permitting these contests? Mankato, Belle Plaine, Carver, St Peter?

Maybe a letter writing campaign would let them know how the majority of us cat anglers feel about this. These contests (and dead fish) definitely portray us cat guys in a bad way.

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Chris & others concerned.

I spoke today with the acting Fisheries Regional manager in the New Ulm office. This would be the office to talk to in regards to making changes in the rules for catfish tournies. I had a good conversation with him and he explained to me that the DNR is also concerned about these tournies and the death of the resource.

He is sending me some information on what one can try to do and also where and when a possible meeting could be held.

As far as transporting live fish goes, no its not legal except for a few exemptions which include tournies.

I also am going to contact a gentleman at the Hutchinson fisheries that could also be of some help along with another gentleman.

If any other catfisherman are interested in helping out with this or would be willing to attend a meeting, please call or e-mail myself and one can get this ball rolling for the next Legislative session.

Yes, they are interested in helping and stated that there are now concerns in regards to these cat tournies and how the fish are registered and end up on death row. They have plans as of now to try and address some of these issues.

Another thought for the contests this year. One could offer these promoters a helping hand with the registration of these fish during the tourny. If a few of us would take our boats out on the river and give our cell numbers, we could have fisherman call our cells and go to them and do the measuring and weighing. This would sure help those flatties that are or will be on death row.

Let me know what you think as I will have a list of all tournies in hand in a few days from the Regional Fisheries office in new Ulm.

[hanson]

Funny thing Tom... Darren and I have had a pretty lengthy discussion in the last day about this issue.

After scrutinizing the regs associated with tournaments/contests and permitting these events, off-site weigh-ins and transportation of fish to and from weigh-in can be granted by the DNR.

So while it is illegal to transport fish from a body of water, there are exemptions that allow this for tournaments/contests.

My BIGGEST, BIGGEST concern is we are looking at super low water levels this year. Low water levels, low flows, HIGH water temps, and low dissolved oxygen levels are going to play a large role in the successful release of these fish entered.

IMO... the successful release of these fish is the most important part of the contest to me. The way they are run now, it ain't going to happen.

Good Job!

[harvey lee]

From what I learned today talking to the gentleman at the are fisheries office, they have discussed what changes would and could be implemented. There are concerned about the resource in these tournies.

Yes, not much that can be done for this year and maybe next as these law changes do take time but the DNR is willing to listen and help.

[rushing]

Yes I am very much interested Tom!

Thanks for looking into this!

[harvey lee]

I will keep all updated as I here more from the Fisheries dept and a few other DNR staff.

[Fish'n guy]

That would be a good deal If the Minnesota DNR would be able to ban these tourneys. What I have found in the past is that the DNR is very protective of what makes them money. If these contests have any way of bringing them money they will more than likely refrain from banning them. If the DNR will not benefit from the contests then they may ban them. We got to realize catfish are not ranked as high as walleye to the DNR because WHY?? Hmmmmmm....which species is gonna bring them more money?? Just my two cents! If the tourneys need to stop boycott that $%!*.

[harvey lee]

My hope is not to ban these tournies but to find a solution to the weigh in issue with the deaths of those nice big flatties. I have to believe that one can have a tourny and do the weigh in a little more safe for the fish. Cannot be that hard.

[sparcebag]

The DNR in fact in 1995 started monitering catfish in the Mn.river,Flatheads, there is a report on the study, Tagging, in one of my previous posts,the add.is listed to recieve a copy of the tagging project through I think New Ulm DNR.Look for post catfish study here under catfish.1995 isnt long ago but its a start for Mn.attitude of trash fish,and they would take any input I'm sure!

[Scott K]

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Yesterday afternoon there was a 55# mudeye caught near downtown LeSueur

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I heard of this also, but what I heard it was 46.1 lbs, I have 2 friends that seen it, and talked to them on sunday when it was caught. I may have also got bad info, but I have heard from them both that have went to his house to see the fish. He does feel bad for it dieing. He is now going to have it mounted.

I have to imagine this is the same story, just 2 different views, I hope there wasnt 2 biggens to die this weekend.

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I got the correct info last night, it was 46.13 lbs, after sitting on the sand bar for awhile, stuffed in the guys truck toolbox, then sitting on the pavement for awhile.

The guy didnt know what to do with it, he thought he was going to eat it , then brought it home.

[Larry FlatCaster]

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Yesterday afternoon there was a 55# mudeye caught near downtown LeSueur

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I heard of this also, but what I heard it was 46.1 lbs, I have 2 friends that seen it, and talked to them on sunday when it was caught. I may have also got bad info, but I have heard from them both that have went to his house to see the fish. He does feel bad for it dieing. He is now going to have it mounted.

I have to imagine this is the same story, just 2 different views, I hope there wasnt 2 biggens to die this weekend.

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I got the correct info last night, it was 46.13 lbs, after sitting on the sand bar for awhile, stuffed in the guys truck toolbox, then sitting on the pavement for awhile.

The guy didnt know what to do with it, he thought he was going to eat it , then brought it home.

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Coundn't put it on a rope in the river till he decided to what to do.... Probably really never fished for big cats either..... Ouch that hurts to hear the thought process like that.

I hope that someone took the time to educate the person.

Or at least pointed him in the direction Of FM to see what others thought.