Friday, December 16,2011
Well, where do I start? Monday, I went to the meeting of the Mille Lacs Fishery Input Group with the DNR. They said that the test nets this fall showed a lower number of fish, especially among younger male fish. This is not too surprising considering that is what the Band targets with their nets and also what we target as the fish less than 18". What is very shocking and quite unexplainable is that the band was 81,000 pounds under their allowable harvest this year and we were 170,000 pounds under our allowable harvest. In fact, in the last 4-5 years the total harvest (Band and sportsmen) is around 400,000 pounds under the allowable harvest. What happened? How can total fish be going down when we have not even been close to what is allowed?
I think there is still much to be figured out. Are the fish moving to different spots? It would certainly be reasonable considering how popular and successful the deep water, lead core line trollers have been the last few years. Has the zebra mussel growth changed fish location where maybe the DNR test nets are just not catching as many fish? Are the test nets still a valid statistical sample which can be used to estimate the total fish population? Are Band net counters and DNR creel census workers getting an accurate measure of total harvest?
One interesting fact from the DNR was that the apparantly lower young male population had not had much effect on fish reproduction. It was still very good with a very healthy young of the year fish population. Maybe the population of male fish is not all that important to the overall health of the total fish population. ( It makes me feel somewhat useless as a male).
Also, the lower number of fish caught per test net in Mille Lacs is still higher than in any of the other big walleye lakes in MN. In fact, it was higher than Leech Lake where the DNR reported fish at a "strong" level.
I do not mean this to seem as a condemnation of the DNR. They have a very tough job to do and ,in my opinion, the people responsible for the testing and biology work are dedicated to doing their best in a very tough environment. Having said that, I feel that the numbers they work with are estimates of uncertain accuracy and maybe we are trying to micromanage a huge body of water beyond our capabilities. Because of our agreement with the band, the lower number of fish per test net this year means we do not have the possibility of going over our maximum harvest. If we get close, the DNR will have to change the slot limits.
The DNR also said they fear that the fishing will be very good this winter and also next summer. The forage is somewhat lower also so the fish may be biting aggressively. They certainly know how to rain on our parade and make what would be wonderful news any other time seem like bad news. They were trying to warn us or at least make us aware of a potential problem.
The walleye regs this winter have not changed. The limit is still 4 walleyes with a protected slot of 18" to 28" with one walleye over 28" allowed. Considering that the fishing was good this summer and very good this fall and we were still 170,000 pounds under our allowable harvest, I am not losing any sleep about regs for next summer. The DNR said the maximum harvest for next year may be around 10% less than in 2011, that still allows a significant harvest for 2012. I say enjoy a very good winter, eat some walleye, and most importantly, HAVE FUN!!!
On to ice conditions and fishing. Until thursday, we were enjoying very good fishing and excellant ice conditions. The strong winds yesterday caused many cracks with some ice pile-up and many water spots. Some of the water is around the cracks, but some open water is also present. Adding to this is the fact that it is supposed to warm this weekend . Our access will be closed this entire weekend with no traffic of any kind allowed. We need some cold temps to heal everything up. I wish I had better news.
STAY SAFE AND THINK COLD!!!!
