March 5th, 2017

We have decided to keep our access closed for the rest of the ice season.  With the pressure ridge blocking us from the Tullibee Hole and the warm weather returning it just doesn’t make sense.   Maybe the shallow water will have some late Perch fishing, but this last week did not show that.

All in all it was a good winter season for ice fishermen on Mille Lacs.  The Walleye bite showed anglers that they are here in numbers despite the claims from our DNR.  Mille Lacs Lake and it’s Walleye fishery is definitely on the comeback.  Now the most important thing coming in the future is for the Bands and the DNR not to make the same mistakes as they did that put the  Mille Lacs Walleye Fishery, and it’s economy in the dumpster. Plus turned most of it’s loyal anglers that fish this lake away in disgust. I know that our DNR has learned from it’s mistakes, but we have to wait to see if the Bands have learned from theirs. Yes the lake is changing, but anyone with common sense knows that harvesting by a gillnet during the spawning time, (example: 3250 gillnets in Mille Lacs Lake in the spring of 2011), will damage the fisheries to the point of not being able to maintain it’s own and surviving.  Sometimes traditions need to change..

I will keep posting on the report as spring progresses, but not as often. Most reports will follow a Mille Lacs Fishery Advisory Committee meeting, (that I am a member of), so you will know what is happening.  With all the “politics”  being played by the Tribes over this issue, I’m sure it will be a very interesting summer. Maybe it’s about time voting angler’s of this State wake up and tell their Governor and their legislator enough is enough. I don’t know if many of you realize this but Governor Dayton has instructed our MN DNR not to challenge anything with the Bands when it comes to anything “treaty” related when it comes to managing the State’s resources, (which can be challenged and changed)…Is that what you want?

Keep a Tight Line!!     Eddy