Fisheries management debate

I'm a firm conservationist so if the Walleye are native to this lake then I'll fully support closing all harvest until the population rebounds, the same goes for any native species. I believe this is the third place I've heard about this today, but the only one willing to have an actual discussion. All of the other forums are just filled with people ranting about how Carp and Buffalo are killing the Walleye. Indoctrinated gamefish supremacists never change, I suppose.

Is state legislator an anti-science reactionary shithead who believes that Jesus used live bait?

There's 10,000 lakes in Minnesota, and maybe 70 standard-sized species to fish for.  Fish somewhere else for a change.  Take up bass fishing or something.  Let the lake rebound.  I understand that folks with businesses around the lake are going to suffer, but what are you going to do?  Air-drop frozen walleye filets around popular fishing spots so folks can scoop them up and feel like they are happy with the fishery?  There just plain aren't enough walleyes to sustain angler harvest right now.

The DNR is at least being somewhat proactive in maintaining this lake's prized walleye fishery.  Changing lake conditions due to invasives and warmer water temps are impacting the ecosystem.  Give the fisheries scientists a chance to stop the bleeding, even if it means you can't burn your usual 50 gallons of gas per weekend to come home with a few walleye fingers.

Andy you really hit the nail on the head with that one.  I feel the same about Mille Lacs and the Walleye in general.  I do feel for the resort owners up there.  It has to be rough for them.  And it may very well put many of them out of business, which is very unfortunate.  But the lake needs a recovery, no harvest period much like Upper Red Lake had.  Only on Red it was like 10 years of no harvest on Walleyes.  But there you had the Crappies to keep the interest for the resort owners.  They might be able to draw people thru muskies or bass, maybe perch.  But business will be slow no matter what without the walleye.  The whole thing makes me happy I'm a lowly sucker fisherman.

I honestly believe some people are born without foresight. That's the only plausible explanation as to why anyone would oppose heavier regulation on harvest/angling methods of a species in proven decline.

If I had an outfitting busines, and it relied heavily on walleye, and I had two brain cells to rub together, I'd realize that stricter harvest limits are in the long-run far less detrimental to my livelyhood than having the species dwindle to the point of becoming virtually untargetable.

many seem to not so much care that the Walleye fishery is healthy but that they can whack-and-stack their limit.  Pretty sure most people who go to Mille Lacs Walleye fishing would be happy to see it turn into a put-and-take stocked Walleye pond. The lake is changing and the Walleye population has been abused.  There isn't a good solution that would make people happy.  I prefer the idea of people going up there to fish Bass and Musky and then just give them a pack of commerical frozen walleye fillets when they leave...  If they could accept the lake for what it is today they'd be happier.  

This kind of political steamrolling is a stark reminder of why I left my dream career in fisheries to go earn a living elsewhere.  It is a hardship on those whose livelihoods are tied to the walleye, but any livelihood that is dependent on natural resource exploitation is subject to collapse.  The legislation seems in lockstep with the mindset of trading away tomorrow for a little more today.

Large parts of Ontario brought in strict slot limits on walleye four or five years ago. Same story -- a lot of chest thumping from local rednecks and a few resorts whinning about money. Long story short, I'm now catching more large walleye than I ever have. The average size and overall numbers have increased substantially and there are plenty of fish within the slot limit that can be kept for the frying pan. It's amazing what can be achieved when emotion is suspended and math is applied.

I was just thinking about slot limits the other day and wondering why more game fish don't have them. Especially at public lakes and resivoirs. Redfish are the only species down here (that I am aware of) with a slot limit, but it seems they would benifit every species. Plus, most fish (I have no idea about Walleye) don't even tast good once they get to a certain size. 

On the actual topic: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ViF6JRNjTk

I guess I'm upset that officials will place severe restrictions on an entire lake, just to protect one species.  What if I want to fish for bullheads or bluegills on that lake?  What if I want to fish at night for a different species? Now I'm screwed.  Given all that the lake is enduring in terms of invasives and such, maybe it is no longer destined to be a "walleye" lake.  Ecosystems change.  Species adapt.  If only humans were as flexible in their tastes and preferences.  I'm a bit worried that similar restrictions will emerge for other bodies of water, making it nearly impossible to fish for any species other than the "desirable" ones, just so wealthy "sportsmen" can have their ecosystem managed just for their benefit.

I will also say that the idea of "catch and "release" fishing for walleye is rather absurd.  They don't fight hard enough to make it worthwhile.

Mille Lacs walleyes just get pounded from so many directions.  Huge commercial annual harvest by the local tribe is only one ingredient.  Secondly the lake is fairly close to the metro.  Within a 2 hour drive from all parts of the twin cities metro.  So it gets beat down that much more than say Winne, Upper Red, Lake of the Woods or Leech, other comparable "walleye factories".  Simply because guys can go there for a day trip.  There doesnt have to be a multi day trip like other said lakes.  Thirdly with all the live bait fishermen out there, there are deep water caught casualties are a common sight washing up on shore, stomachs hanging out because they got the bends, also a lot of gut hooked fish that cannon be harvested because their over the slot, only to die because of the hook in their gullet.  Lastly you have the metro meat greed factor.  Any walleye within the slot caught on that lake is as good as dead.  Closing Upper Reds walleye harvest for 10 years worked like a charm.  Might be what it takes to restore balance here too.  But who knows.  Upper Red is in the boondocks.  Doesnt get half the pressure as Mille Lacs.

This lake is so bound in "tradition" that most folks only abstractly are aware of the fishery, even if the highlight of the 45th annual family fishing weekend is a fishfry and limit in the cooler. it has always been, so it must always be. It is so tough in that part of the state because the large number of good family owned guide services and resorts tied to the walleye. two of the three tribes that have treaty rights to net that lake have commited ceasing harvest and are helping the state rebuild or manage the fishery.

It took pretty huge balls to not only stop any walleye fishing, but to not allow live bait (or preserved baits) either. Those guys will be getting death threats.

maybe the smallmouth bass and musky fishery will pick up some of that, but this is going to be tough for lots of folks who depend on sending people back to the metro with a full cooler and good memories.

<p>Yes give the lake a chance to rebound</p>

<p>Yes give the lake a chance to rebound</p>