Big Changes at Mille Lacs



Mille Lacs



First off, I finally got back from California, a busy trip for sure.  I was there for our annual APEC (Applied Power Electronic Conference) show and certainly if it is any indication of the economy, things are booming for sure.  I know one thing, Los Angeles is a great place to visit but quite honestly, it would drive me nuts to live there.  Staying in Long Beach, no matter which direction you went, it was at least 2 hours before you seen anything that resembles a bit of sanity!  While I was there the new regulations and announcements for Mille Lacs Lake have been released.  This is a topic that I have avoided yet has been on the top of my list for discussions with my fellow Mille Lacs anglers.  Personally I am extremely frustrated and really try to keep my posts non adversary and politically neutral.  This one has got my goat however as I have never seen a lake so mismanaged, but of course that is my opinion. The DNR has stated that the population of walleyes on Mille Lacs is at an all time low, perch are almost no existent, the eelpout are gone, but by golly its sure turned into a good smallmouth lake, yet we will still allow netting of walleyes during the spawn even though we close fishing at spawn for everyone else.  Because my travels have limited my time to articulate my thoughts in a civil matter, this week I am simply going to post the results from this weeks news release by the Minnesota DNR regarding the upcoming fishing season on Mille Lacs. 



Does anyone know?



Mille Lacs walleye anglers will be limited to two fish beginning May 11, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said Tuesday morning. The harvest slot will be 18 to 20 inches. One walleye in the two-fish limit can be larger than 28 inches. Last year the limit was four walleyes, with only walleyes under 17 inches allowed to be kept. Fish that size were difficult to find. Changes also are coming this summer to smallmouth bass and northern pike limits on the big lake. The lake’s 27- to 40-inch protected slot regulation for northern's will be narrowed to a 33- to 40-inch protected slot, with one longer than 40 inches. The possession limit is three. The smallmouth bass bag limit and slot limit will be broadened to allow for more harvest. The new regulation is a 17- to 20-inch protected slot. The possession limit is six, with only one longer than 20 inches in possession. Previously, all smallmouth bass less than 21 inches had to be immediately released and the possession limit was one. “We want Mille Lacs to continue to be a world-class walleye fishing destination,” said Dirk Peterson, DNR fisheries chief. “Currently, the size and structure of the walleye population isn’t where we want it. We are committed to remedying the situation as quickly as possible through regulations that are designed to increase survival of the lake’s younger and smaller walleye. The smallmouth bass and northern pike regulations are designed to protect smaller walleye until we have better information on what these predator species are eating,” said Peterson. “We’ll be starting a predator diet study this spring. Meanwhile, the regulations will allow anglers some additional non-walleye harvest opportunities while also retaining solid numbers of trophy-sized fish.”  The DNR said it wants to conserve the lake’s large 2008 year-class of walleye because no strong year-class is coming up behind these fish. Fish in this year-class are 15- to 17-inches in length.  The new rules, the DNR said, intend to keep the total walleye kill below the combined state-tribal 2013 safe harvest level of 250,000 pounds. Fishing regulations may be adjusted if angler kill is expected to be either too high or lower than the anticipated. This year’s safe harvest level is the lowest established since treaty management began in 1997.  Tom Jones, Mille Lacs Lake coordinator, said a 2-inch walleye harvest slot is not unprecedented on Mille Lacs, having been implemented in 2001, 2002 and 2007. He added the state’s walleye harvest has been below this year’s allocation level of 178,500 pounds four of the last 10 years and in 2005 the harvest was below 200,000 pounds.  The lake is also becoming increasingly complex and unpredictable. This is due largely to changes in the aquatic community, including the presence of unwanted aquatic invasive species such as zebra mussel, spiny water flea and Eurasian watermilfoil.  These factors, plus a state and tribal harvest management strategy that focused largely on walleyes in the 14- to 18-inch range, all have contributed to a declining walleye population.  Jones said despite the declining walleye population, winter walleye fishing was good, which typically suggests good fishing in spring, too.

Went to the Sportshow last night, something I always enjoy.  One of the things I really look forward to is seeing Ken and Judy Marlow from Alaska.  We have stayed at their place many times and really enjoy their company.  We usually fish with their son Neal on his boat, The Shearwater however he had upgraded to a larger, overnight boat.  Although it would have been fun, with my cousin Mark's wife meeting us to fish the second day, it just didn't work out.  As I told Judy, we definitely missed fishing with him.  Maybe next year.   They were nice enough to give me a jar of their homemade canned smoked salmon, always a treat.  Judy also showed us a picture of a bald eagle that took residence on their deck this year, actually walking up to the patio door and peering in.  It is pretty amazing.   Whether it's Ken and Judy, Jeff and MP,  Keith and Jane, it's pretty neat to have friends in fishing paradise.  With the overnight temperatures in the single digits there is plenty of ice fishing left.