season

[slabberknocker]

I have lived here in MN for almost 4 years now and was wondering why there is a walleye, northern, etc. fishing season. I assume it is for protcting the spawners yada yada. How many states around the country have a walleye season? SD for example has a lot less lakes but still have wallye fishing just as good as MN. They have no season. THeir lakes are not hurting. I guess I am venting a little bit, but not being able to go after northerns for about 3 months really sucks. Will it really hurt the fishing that bad if they had a year round fishing season?

Slab

[Grabs]

I don't know what the reason is, but I think not having one would not do anything to the population as the numbers of people fishing dramtically drop as soon as the houses need to come off the lakes. I really think it has to do with safety,..many more people aggressively fish for walleyes and pike in this state than they do for panfish. If they didn't have a season, I think many more people would be still heading out onto the lakes well into times when the ice starts to become unsafe. I really don't understand why they close it before the houses come off...again I think it is to start getting the houses off so there isn't a mad rush at the last minute.

Just my opinions, but your right it does suck to only be able to fish walleyes and pike for maybe 10 weekends max during the ice season.

[This message has been edited by Grabs (edited 02-03-2003).]

[Pherris]

Fish are most vulnerable during the spawning period. They are easy to target and easier to catch. The closed season is to provide protection to them during there most likely spawning period. Fish that have later spawning periods like Bass and Muskie have different open seasons because they require warmer water to spawn.

[slabberknocker]

What about crappies and bluegills? They are just as vulnerable during their spawn. Why not close their season? I have taken some of my biggest gills and crappies in the spring during spawn. Is there any data behind this closing of a season? I dont see it being a big blow to the population if there would no season at all.

Slab

[curt quesnell]

Slabberknacker and others.

The major reason the fishing season closes
in Minnesota is so there can be a BIG
OPENING WEEKEND.

This was done long ago, fishing slowed to a
crawl, resorters needed a vacation and time
to refurbish things for the summer season.
So the powers that be decided if the season
would close there could be tons of hoopla
and marketing possibilities for a Fishing
Season Opening Weekend that the Land of
10,000 Lakes could celebrate and benefit
from the tourist $$$$$$$$$. I think it
worked pretty well.

So the protection of spawing females had
almost nothing to do with closing the season
back then. There are border waters that
stay open all year, so if you suffer too
badly from not Walleye fishing you can find
a place within our states boundries to ease
your jones.

Good story huh?

Curt Quesnell

[CorynTracySellHomes]

The biggest reason I think is tradition. I would love to see a year round season, but, you have to also take into consideration the amount of money that is made from the hype that surrounds "the Opener!" There are loads of guys that just fish on the opener, because of the tradition.

Cory Frantzick

------------------
Visit us on the web at www.Athomeonthelake.com

[slabberknocker]

That is one thing I thought of as I was thinking about this. It is all about money. But wouldnt the resorts be better off if they could service people year round than get bombarded for two weekends and then have it tapper off again?

Slab

[icehousebob]

I fish SoDak several times a year with kinfolk and have figured a couple of reasons why they don't close the gamefish season like we do here in America. First, The city of Minnyaples has more people than their whole state, equating to a lot less fishing pressure. Second, they have cut the limits and put size limits on a number of their lakes to cut the harvest. But most important, Minnesotans are not only better looking but much better fishermen than South Dakotans. I know this because a barmaid in Waubay told me this. And it wasn't just the twenty dollar tip I left her either. She tried to line me up for a date with one of her relatives but the nursing home phone stopped taking calls at 8pm.

[Steve Foss]

The Minnesota walleye opener is a huge tradition, yes, and I'll agree that that's part of the reason.

But Minnesota has been very careful about its resource. It's more effective to protect pike and walleye spawners during late ice season because pike spawn right around ice-out, sometimes even just before, and walleyes spawn just after ice-out. Both these species begin to stage as early as late February closer to spawning grounds, which makes them more vulnerable to anglers. For panfish, which spawn weeks after ice-out, there is no late-ice staging near spawning areas.

So that's the biological aspect. However, a N.D. and a S.D. biologist know the same things as a MN biologist, so why do those states have no closed season?

It's because the walleye opener in Minnesota is so huge a happening and a tradition, and generates great anticipation among anglers for that special Saturday in May. As for all the $ involved, I tend to dismiss that consideration. I think walleye anglers, if they could continue to fish walleyes both on ice and in open water during late February, March and April, would spend way more in that 2.5 months than they do on the sacred weekend in May.

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 02-03-2003).]

[Guest]

My wife would have left me long ago had it not been for a few months of closed season to keep me away from the lakes!

[Guest]

Yep, Curt hit the "nail on the head". It's 110% about the almighty $$$$$. If you think it's for the safety of the spawning fish, think again...otherwise, why would they let the indians "rape" our resources with their spears and gill nets in the spring while these fish are on the spawning beds!

[Steve Foss]

HtchEyeCatcher:

I know where you are coming from. But it is the courts that reaffirm Native American rights to take game and fish, and in most cases federal courts, though in some cases state courts.

These rights were guaranteed by historical treaties between soveriegn Indian tribes and the sovereign government of the United States. In other words, the United States made promises in those treaties, usually making guarantees that included tribes taking fish and game in exchange for their giving land traditionally held by the tribes to the government. A tremendous amount of what we today call the American west was deeded over in this way. Those promises, when challenged, are up to the (usually) federal courts to settle.

It is not the DNR that tells tribes what they can and cannot do, nor is it the DNR the "lets" the tribes "rape" the resources. However, after the courts rule on an issie, it is the DNR and the tribes that work together to determine limits they can both agree on.

You may disagree with the process, you may disagree with the results, you may disagree with whatever you like about it, and in some ways I'm likely to AGREE with you.

However, your bashing of Native Americans is making a personal attack, and that is not within the rules of this site. If you have an argument to make about federal/state policy, please make it on the "political power" board.

[This message has been edited by stfcatfish (edited 02-03-2003).]

[curt quesnell]

The BIG OPENER is a wonderful time in
Minnesota. I am glad we have one.

You can fish during the spawn on the Rainy
River and Lake of the Woods, and believe
me many do, there are more Walleyes and
bigger Walleyes than ever before. So this
cant be the only factor in good fish conserving practices

Curt Quesnell

[This message has been edited by curt quesnell (edited 02-04-2003).]

[slabberknocker]

Hey icehousebob,
How many more lakes are there in Minnesota compared to SD? Yes MN has a lot more people, but they also have a lot more lakes. So I think that is a pretty lame arguement. Yes SD has set limits now on a lot of lakes in the NE part of the state. Which I think is a good thing to have so they dont have to have an opener.

Slab

[This message has been edited by Jim W (edited 02-04-2003).]

[Crawlerman]

Keep in mind that Minnesota has over twice the population of S. Dakota. And a lot more of that higher population fishes. There may not be as many lakes, but there are also less people fishing them. This is espically true for "resort" lakes like Mille Lacs, Upper Red, and Vermillion which draw many people out of the state on Vacation to fish for Walleyes. Higher pressure means stricter regs and closed seasons. But hey; there are still plenty of other good fish to catch during that time; perch are year long and in truth there nothing but a small, pretty walleye.

[upnorth]

Come now boys play nice, or I will take away your toys

[KB]

Personnaly, I'm all for the fishing closure. I believe it has to do with the vulnerability of the big momma fish. I'm from ND, and over here, there are way too many people that take limits of the 3 to 7 pound walleyes just because they can, and are a lot easier to catch during those times. I always try to keep the spawners in the pool to try to replenish.

[Grabs]

I think its around 17ish

[wh1stler]

I think some of you are right--there is no biological basis for closing the season. Heck, I doubt there is even a biological basis for slot sizes and possession limits. Ya know, why don't we just bring back spears and gillnets for everyone. There really isn't a scientific reason why we can't use them.

Look, Minnesota is different and comparing them to the Dakotas is foolish. So far I haven't seen any 'data' based arguments about why our system is flawed or why it isn't flawed. Just some assertions that it is stupid and wrong.

I find it quite amusing that one person thinks so highly of their own opinion that they can immediately condemn decades of game management developed by hundreds of trained scientists as dead wrong. It would make me laugh if wasn't so sad.

Wh1stler

[This message has been edited by wh1stler (edited 02-04-2003).]

[fiskyknut]

I agree with your last statement 100%!

[wh1stler]

Sorry fiskyknut, in the interest of not flaming this thread, I edited it and toned it down some. Although the sentiment remains the same, it is not worth turning this into a chest thumping contest.

Wh1stler

[huskminn]

I remember having once read an article where the MN DNR was questioned about the validity of opening and closing seasons. The DNR basically stated that the seasons in MN are based on tradition and not biology, much like daily and posession limit numbers.

Certain areas that hold huge congregations of fish in the spring could be closed to fishing during critical times, as they are in certain portions of northeastern South Dakota. However, a large female fish kept in July or October removes just as much spawning potential from the population as the same fish caught in April. If people are so concerned about protecting spawning walleyes, why not have a reduced spring time limit and a maximum size of, say, 18"? That would preclude almost all females from being harvested.

The point about South Dakota not having the fishing pressure that MN does is fairly accurate, but I don't think a closed season helps the resource in any state very much. What helps the fish the most is having quality habitat, clean water, and selective harvest limits (slots, minimums, etc.).

[This message has been edited by huskminn (edited 02-04-2003).]

[fiskyknut]

Wh1stlr
Great, you surely did'nt want all of that on your 5th post on this site!

Thanks....Fisky

[slabberknocker]

wh1stler
First off I dont think I was "condemning decades of dnr management". I started off asking a simple question that I did not know the answer too. But when some dink comes on (icehousebob) and starts talking complete nonsence, I am going to get offended. I am originally from SD and have poeple from there always ask me why is there a fishing season? I have to tell them I dont know.
Secondly, I dont think that high of my own opinion. But if I want to say say something, then that is my opinion. You said stuff that is your opinion. Fine, I respect that.
Obviously you thought it was not a waste of time because you wrote it and then edited it and posted again.
I was not trying to turn this into a "chest thumping match". I wanted to know why it is like this. I am the type of person that if I dont know the answer to something I am going to ask.
I think a lot of people will agree with me that these "scientists" they have to improve our resources dont have all the answers. A lot of their decisions are made for them by government (people that have probably never spent a day in the field) and the dollar. Now again this my opinion you can agree with it or disagree. That is fine with me.

Slab

[This message has been edited by slabberknocker (edited 02-04-2003).]

[Guest]

Reading this thread has me confused.

What happened to Crappies, Sunfish, and Jumbo Perch angling when the Walleye season is closed?

Guess I always viewed catching 4 Walleyes vs. 15 Crappies at least the equivelent in sporting fun. I think it would be more tasty when the dinner bell rings too.

just my pennies for thoughts,

thanks, Westlin