Yesterday was a quieter day out there. Not many fishermen and the bite was slower, especially in shallower.  Seemed the best was 20-28 feet with the Perch and Walleyes.

I moved more houses deeper for the weekend as it seems some of the baitfish are going deeper from what I’ve been hearing from anglers.  What was sort of crazy is that the deeper mud areas off the gravel don’t seem to be having much for Perch and the mud closer to the deeper reefs in closer has them. So that is where we are going to be.

The ice is still pretty calm after last weeks “rumble” on the south end. And I’m thinking it will stay that way if we can get thru tomorrow’s almost 40 degree day.  The weather forecasted over the weekend and into next week couldn’t be much better to get out and enjoy a day on the ice.  Compared to last winter this is a 100% turnaround.  And with Mille Lacs fishery in a apparent start of a recovery it is fun to be out there.

Don’t forget the Lyback’s/TWP Tournament on Feb. 21st.  We are up to 110 entries and the cap is 150, so get your spot before it’s gone.  This year because of last years cancellation due to weather. We will have enough prizes for everyone so even if you don’t place with a fish, the door prize will be worth the trip!

Keep a Tight Line!

Eddy

Today fishing was about the same with small Walleyes, Walleyes too big caught. and small Perch the main theme.  Not many out there as the weekend so not much to report.

This warmer weather and steadier lower barometer is keeping them active and is really nice to be out there fishing. it sure is a big change from last winter.

I got a chance to read the “blue ribbon panel” report yesterday and was even questioned about it by a ON reporter.  The report pretty much restated what was already known by most that keep up with the situation Mille Lacs has been put in by “treaty management”.  It talked about the bands and anglers targeting the same sizes of Walleyes, creating a lake full of large Walleyes which will obviously “cannibalize”. It talked about invasive species, the clean water act causing water clarity issues. Temperature changes causing the decline of Tullibee, Pretty much everything already known by most.  They talked about the effects of increasing numbers Cormorants on Mille Lacs, based on info from Leech Lake. It was overall a good explanation of what has happened here. And of course said that reproduction rates stayed the same or improved despite the and disturbance of spawning beds during the spawning season. And the problem is the survival rate from year one to 3. Even the reporter from ON appeared convinced that it wasn’t and “issue” because their studies prove it.

My unanswered questions that remain are these.  If spawning grounds had not been disturbed by netting and spearing during spawning, by what percentage would have the reproduction increased? Would it have made a difference with the “cannibalizing” by increase 0-1 year fish?  It appears that the last two years when we had late ice, and not much for harvest activities, Mille Lacs ended up with two very strong year classes, and the first year survival numbers appear to still be strong despite the cannibalizing.   And my other question is. If all of this harvesting is ok in the spring, how come our DNR has areas closed for angling in this State during spawning to protect the the reproduction?  Why are Mille Lacs Walleyes so different?

It is my hope that our DNR and the Bands fix what they have broken by the political “treaty management”, Start looking ahead and being proactive with their methods instead of waiting until thing are falling apart to “analyze” and make changes. The politicians in St. Paul need to realize that fishing is a big part of Minnesota’s economy and quit playing games with lobbyists money given to them. What has been allowed to happen by their neglecting to protect our State’s resources here and on other lakes is harming our standing as the “go to” State for fishing.  Those of us that live here and provide services for the anglers deserve a better life than we have had the last 15 years.

Keep a Tight Line!      Eddy

Monday we started to move some rentals to new spots and for groups this coming weekend. We had some light snow and a fairly strong SE wind, so a portable was not the best but those in houses enjoying some pretty good fishing with the low barometer.

A 39″ Northern was caught by North Twin and and most of the rentals had Walleyes, some too small and some too big.  None that I heard were in the slot. Some rentals had just Perch and most were small.  One rental had a 36″ inch Northern also.  All in all, a pretty decent day.

Today I’m getting a chance to read the details of the Fishing Roundtable held last weekend in St. Paul where the “blue ribbon panel” appointed by the DNR presented their report on Mille Lacs and the DNR’s actions.  Should be interesting………I’m sure I will have a comment or two after reading it…..

Keep a Tight Line!       Eddy