Lake Mille Lacs walleye rules tightened to address population crash

fishnpole · Veteran Member

SAVE MILLE LACS SPORT FISHING

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/

NortEnder · Member

Steve, I checked the link out and assume this is what we have been waiting for. Now with that said is there a plam to document or update donors on the status or use of the donations? That would really give this a nice transparency and a sense of accomplishment for those of us planning on supporting.

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

NortEnder wrote:
Steve, I checked the link out and assume this is what we have been waiting for. Now with that said is there a plam to document or update donors on the status or use of the donations? That would really give this a nice transparency and a sense of accomplishment for those of us planning on supporting.

No doubt, we will have an email group sending out updates and posting them on the website. As time goes along, we will gladly answer any questions in that regard. ALL funds are going to the legal fund over and above credit card company and banking costs. ZERO $$ are going anywhere or to anyone else but to SAVE MILLE LACS SPORT FISHING legal effort costs.

smackem33 · Newbie

so I made a donation yesterday and find out this morning I spent my last 25 bucks for the cause, couldn't even buy a cup of coffee this morning lol. But thank God it's Friday!

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Here's a little background from the Supreme Court's 1999 split decision

(5 to 4)

"Rather, Indian treaty rights can coexist with state management of natural resources. Although States have important interests in regulating wildlife and natural resources within their borders, this authority is shared with the Federal Government when the Federal Government exercises one of its enumerated constitutional powers, such as treaty making. U. S. Const., Art. VI, cl. 2. See, e. g., Missouri v. Holland, 252 U. S. 416 (1920); Kleppe v. New Mexico, 426 U. S. 529 (1976); United States v. Winans, 198 U. S., at 382-384; United States v. Forty-three Gallons of Whiskey, 93 U. S. 188 (1876). See also Menominee Tribe v. United States, supra, at 411, n. 12. Here, the 1837 Treaty gave the Chippewa the right to hunt, fish, and gather in the ceded territory free of territorial, and later state, regulation, a privilege that others did not enjoy. Today, this freedom from state regulation curtails the State's ability to regulate hunting, fishing, and gathering by the Chippewa in the ceded lands. But this Court's cases have also recognized that Indian treaty-based usufructuary rights do not guarantee the Indians "absolute freedom" from state regulation. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife v. Klamath 205*205 Tribe, 473 U. S., at 765, n. 16. We have repeatedly reaffirmed state authority to impose reasonable and necessary nondiscriminatory regulations on Indian hunting, fishing, and gathering rights in the interest of conservation. See Puyallup Tribe v. Department of Game of Wash., 391 U. S. 392, 398 (1968); Washington v. Washington State Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Assn., 443 U. S., at 682; Antoine v. Washington, supra, at 207-208. This "conservation necessity" standard accommodates both the State's interest in management of its natural resources and the Chippewa's federally guaranteed treaty rights."

USUFRUCTUARY RIGHTS
A Civil Law term referring to the right of one individual to use and enjoy the property of another, provided its substance is neither impaired nor altered.

For example, a usufructuary right would be the right to use water from a stream in order to generate electrical power. Such a right is distinguishable from a claim of legal ownership of the water itself.

http://scholar.google.com/scholar_case?case=3624067482770924423&hl=en&as_sdt=2&as_vis=1&oi=scholarr

Bill Eno of Twin Pines Resort from a Brainerd Dispatch interview:

Mille Lacs group raising money to fight gill-netting

Posted: March 21, 2013 - 9:08pm

An organization named Save Mille Lacs Sport Fishing this week debuted a website and announced plans to raise money for a legal challenge to gill-netting during spawning season on Mille Lacs Lake.

Bill Eno, owner of Twin Pines Resort, said Thursday the group hopes to raise $50,000 to use for legal efforts to compel the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) to not allow gill-netting during the two- or three-week spawning period.

The organization’s efforts come on the heels of the DNR’s announcement of tighter restrictions on the walleye harvest on the popular central Minnesota fishing destination.

A spokesman at an Aitkin office of the DNR declined to comment and referred inquiries to Dirk Peterson, DNR fisheries section chief. Peterson could not be reached Thursday afternoon.

Sport anglers on Mille Lacs will be allowed to keep only two walleyes this season and only if they fall within a narrow range size, the DNR announced this week. The restrictions were made, DNR officials said, because of low walleye populations. The Associated Press reported that DNR officials and the eight Ojibwe Indian bands with treaty rights on the lake agreed in January to cut the maximum allowable walleye harvest in half to 250,000 pounds after a netting survey indicated the walleye population was at a 40-year low.

Eno said he believes the DNR has the authority and should be compelled to stop gill-netting during the spawning period.

“No other place in the U.S. allows gill-netting during the spawn,” Eno said.

The organization’s website is www.savemillelacssportfishing.org."

-- Edited by fishnpole on Sunday 24th of March 2013 10:16:37 AM

-- Edited by fishnpole on Sunday 24th of March 2013 05:50:28 PM

NortEnder · Member

Go go go....let's get this thing rolling. Donations I hope are piling in....

Grandpa · Newbie

I made a double donation this past Wednesday, an error message on my first attempt prompted me to try again resulting in the double up. I found it this morning when I checked my account. Was it operator error on my part or has anyone else had the same experience?

Bus · Member

Is it time to start donating to a fund to hire a couple of lobbyist? Or is it time to invest in a sail boat or learn how to kite surf? Don't get me wrong, I truly appreciate everything everyone has done or is working on to preserve sport fishing on Mille Lacs Lake.

NortEnder · Member

Grandpa, I think this was fixed. I talked to Steve and I noticed they have put a clear transaction ending button on the donation page.

Scott Bickett · Roach's Guide Service

Made my donation today!

Muskymadness · Veteran Member

Add my name to the list. Just donated!

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

I finally got around to making a donation also!

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

Here is what the DNR reps have not said to anyone...could their own info be wrong and not lead to an end?

Based on DNR info supplied in recent weeks-looking forward:

--approx. 1 million pounds of adult walleyes in the lake now

--average size about 3 lb.s

--equates to around 350-400,000 adult walleyes in the lake now

--no good year classes left from ‘09, ‘10, ‘11 and ‘12. ( based on whatever guesses/studies one might take---will the ‘13 hatch be around next year or 4-5 years from now to be at least 15-16” long?—no sound reason to believe that with all the big fish still there)

--conservative estimates of harvest for 2013 and beyond for the next 5 years (unless regs change) is as follows:

1. Tribal harvest at 40K lbs. per year at an average of 2lbs per fish = 20K walleyes

2. total sport angler harvest at 150K at an average 3lbs. ( 20” long)+ 50K walleyes

3. total fish killed per year---70K

4. no year classes coming up?

5. 5 years looking ahead? Walleye gone from Mille Lacs

Based on actual info from the Mn. DNR in recent weeks, THAT is reality unless changes are put in place asap....and is NOT debatable based on present plans that are in place for 2013. That is using the “if’ the tribe and sport anglers don’t reach quota’s or beyond. If they/we do...the years you have fish left shrink.

Is the above equation wrong? I hope so....but it seems hard to not believe, right? Time to act now or wait and see if it is right?

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Tuesday 26th of March 2013 12:10:08 PM

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Tuesday 26th of March 2013 12:13:38 PM

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Tuesday 26th of March 2013 12:27:09 PM

fishnpole · Veteran Member

WE CAN DO SOMETHING ABOUT IT

Here's what was SUPPOSED to happen with Mille Lacs this year..........................

I don't think anyone is challenging the treaties at this point. Sovereignty itself is not being challenged, here.

The point in law is the State of Minnesota's lawful responsibility to enforce it's closed walleye season for the reasons of conservation.

"But as we described above, Indian treaty-based usufructuary rights are not inconsistent with state sovereignty over natural resources. See supra, at 204-205."

For a number of years, Minnesota DNR Fisheries officials have noticed a disturbing trend regarding the walleye population in Lake Mille Lacs – a continued slide in the abundance of young males.
Last week, upon review of a fish management/harvest plan submitted by eight Chippewa bands that net walleyes from Mille Lacs, the DNR responded with a letter expressing concerns that “center on conservation and affect the management of fish populations in Mille Lacs.” Matters of conservation are grounds for seeking management changes, per the court ruling that affects Mille Lacs management.
DNR officials believe recent data collected from fish assessments could lead to drastic measures, possibly “a major overhaul in how we’re managing the system,” according to Don Pereira, DNR fisheries research and policy manager.
A meeting with the band’s representatives and those from the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission already was slated for July. Pereira said that unlike most years, that one-time get-together likely won’t cut it this summer.
“It might be a complete re-working (of the management plan),” he said. “That would be difficult to do in one day.”
Information from last year’s walleye assessments are the reason state anglers must now abide by a protected 17- to 28-inch slot for walleyes, versus last year’s less restrictive 18- to 28-inch slot.
Chief among the DNR’s concerns in the plan review is the possibility that tribal harvest – by the Mille Lacs and Fond du Lac bands in Minnesota, and six bands from Wisconsin – is threatening the male walleye population. Likely, Pereira said, the harvest method already has. The assumption, in harvest modeling, is that the tribal take consists of 80 to 85 percent male walleyes.
State officials say the bands’ minimum allocation – under a proposed 5-year plan – “would greatly exceed 50 percent of the total male harvestable surplus, and possibly even exceed the entire male harvestable surplus.”
Besides the fact that spring tribal gill nets tend to target male walleyes that arrive early in shallow water, protective slots in place for the past several years also force state-licensed anglers to keep smaller fish, as well. Pereira says there’s “emerging information” regarding the effects of a protective slot, coming from other large lakes, though exploitation of young male walleyes is “nowhere near the level it is on Mille Lacs.”
While much of the past attention has been focused on the lake’s spawning females, Pereira said the importance of smaller males is less recognizable, but if the decline continues, could be revealed in poorer year-classes. One female walleye’s eggs might be fertilized by three to five males, he said, and if the level of male walleyes drops low enough, it’s possible some eggs might not be fertilized, reducing the possibility of a strong year-class.
“That’s the ultimate concern,” he said.
Pereira said there’s likely no clear indicator how dire the situation is, currently. However, he adds, waiting to make changes could jeopardize the walleye fishery.
“It’s hard to detect when (the decline in young males affects the fishery), but when we do, it might be too far down the road,” he said. Instead, department officials believe it’s best to act now, since recent assessments continue to show a falling population of male fish.
“How long do you want to let it go?” he asks.
Female walleyes are less vulnerable, Pereira said, because they hit the protected slot more rapidly than male walleyes, rendering them off-limits to state anglers sooner.
The DNR’s response to the tribal plan suggests that, given the methods and timing of the tribal fishery, “band declarations should be a function of the male spawning stock biomass, not of total safe harvest level, and no longer an arbitrary value based on growth in the tribal fishery.”
The bands’ plan includes new “triggers” that could raise tribal harvest to 169,000 pounds during the year. This year, the eight tribes harvested about 80,000 pounds, though their declaration was 142,500.
Only once since state/tribal co-management began has the tribal harvest exceeded 100,000 pounds of walleyes. And only twice since 1997 have state anglers exceeded their allocation of walleyes.
The timing of gill-netting

Another point raised by the state DNR: The current tribal fishing season ends March 31, and, given early ice-out, bands could harvest walleyes prior to that date to the previous year. The take after that date would apply to the new season.
“This would invalidate the current harvestable surplus estimates because those fish would not have been included in stock assessment analyses,” the DNR’s review says.
The situation could’ve occurred this spring, as the bands had “significant 2011 quota remaining, and could have harvested the remaining 2011 quota (about 80,000 pounds) prior to March 31, and then taken their 2012 quota of 142,500 pounds, resulting in the true removal of 222,500 pounds of fish from the 2012 harvestable surplus.”
Count all pike

The DNR’s third point: The tribal fishery needs to account for all sources of northern pike mortality due to their fishing activities, including release mortality.
“Just as it is necessary for the state to account for angler release mortality of walleye and northern pike, it also is necessary and prudent for the bands’ fishery to account for all sources of mortality in their fishery,” the DNR’s letter states. Further, it states, “Harvest data indicate that some bands may be releasing substantial numbers of northern pike.”
A Fond du Lac Resource Management memo regarding tribal netting and spearing on Mille Lacs this year addressed pike release:
“The (Fond du Lac Resource Management Division) also would like to stress the importance of releasing northern pike from gill nets, if the pike appear able to survive. This is extremely important this year. Fond du Lac has a 25,428-pound walleye allocation, but only a 1,387-pound northern pike quota. Note that even though this is a 423-pound increase over last year, it is not likely the FdL will be able to gain additional pike throughout the season.
“The regulations state that once FdL harvests their quota for any species, then netting is shut down for all species. So once FdL has harvested 1,387 pounds of northern pike, we are done netting, even if we’ve only harvested 100 pounds of our 25,428-pound walleye quota. …”
Non-harvested declaration

The DNR’s fourth and final point addresses the “chronic declaration of a tribal allocation that is not subsequently harvested may reduce the effectiveness of that state’s management and increase the chance of state overharvest.”
For the past two years, tribal harvest on Mille Lacs has hovered near half the tribes’ declaration.
“Management actions (slots) imposed on state anglers are based on bands taking their full quota,” the DNR writes. “If band harvest is substantially less than their declared quota, the effectiveness of the state’s management actions may be reduced because more fish will be available for angler harvest.”
Other relevant information, like future harvestable surplus, spawner biomass, and other data might be skewed because of tribal under-harvest.
Changes

Are there solutions? Pereira says he won’t speculate at this point. Should the tribes not agree that changes are necessary, it’s possible the matter could go to mediation, something that hasn’t happened in a decade.
The argument this time around would be “fundamentally different,” Pereira said, in that it would be based strictly on conservation concerns.
Charlie Rasmussen, a spokesperson for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, said officials with the commission recently had received the notice from the Minnesota DNR, and were reviewing the information.
“Like any management plan, we’ll make the best decision for the sustainability of the resource on Mille Lacs,” he said.
Rasmussen said the Minnesota and Wisconsin tribes also monitor the walleye situation in Mille Lacs, typically through fall electro-fishing.
He also said tribal nets can be fished to a select size of fish.
Harvest update

State angler walleye harvest continues to easily outpace last year’s catch. Through June 15, the total harvest was about 164,000 pounds, about twice that of a year ago.
Of note: the catch-and-release walleye take was about 570,000 pounds during the first 15 days of June, of which about 23,200 pounds counted toward hooking mortality. The total kill during the typically most productive time of the open-water season on Mille Lacs was about 63,400 pounds.

jwalker · Member

We need to make this count big time!

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

Here is what the DNR reps have not said to anyone...could their own info be wrong and not lead to an end?

Based on DNR info supplied in recent weeks-looking forward:

--approx. 1 million pounds of adult walleyes in the lake now

--average size about 3 lb.s

--equates to around 350-400,000 adult walleyes in the lake now

--no good year classes left from ‘09, ‘10, ‘11 and ‘12. ( based on whatever guesses/studies one might take---will the ‘13 hatch be around next year or 4-5 years from now to be at least 15-16” long?—no sound reason to believe that with all the big fish still there)

--conservative estimates of harvest for 2013 and beyond for the next 5 years (unless regs change) is as follows:

1. Tribal harvest at 40K lbs. per year at an average of 2lbs per fish = 20K walleyes

2. total sport angler harvest at 150K at an average 3lbs. ( 20” long)+ 50K walleyes

3. total fish killed per year---70K

4. no year classes coming up?

5. 5 years looking ahead? Walleye gone from Mille Lacs

Based on actual info from the Mn. DNR in recent weeks, THAT is reality unless changes are put in place asap....and is NOT debatable based on present plans that are in place for 2013. That is using the “if’ the tribe and sport anglers don’t reach quota’s or beyond. If they/we do...the years you have fish left shrink.

Is the above equation wrong? I hope so....but it seems hard to not believe, right? Time to act now or wait and see if it is right?

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Tuesday 26th of March 2013 12:10:08 PM

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Tuesday 26th of March 2013 12:13:38 PM

3 words " it's the nets"

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/200536831.html

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Would you like to help preserve the tradition of sport fishing on Mille Lacs? Many of our lawmakers still believe that there is no problem here. We need to show our lawmakers that our group of sports anglers here aren't just a "handful of malcontents"

You can become a supporting member for as little as $25 and you can write or call your congressman or senator at: http://www.usa.gov/Contact/Elected.shtml

Together we will make a difference.

-- Edited by fishnpole on Thursday 4th of April 2013 09:37:03 PM

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

PERM went after treaty rights.....SMLSF is going after the MnDNR for mis-managing our resource.

-- Edited by Bobber on Thursday 4th of April 2013 07:31:14 PM

fishnpole · Veteran Member

See, the whole matter boils down to this:

US Supreme Court findings(1999). But this Court's cases have also recognized that Indian treaty-based usufructuary rights do not guarantee the Indians "absolute freedom" from state regulation. Oregon Dept. of Fish and Wildlife v. Klamath 205 *205 Tribe, 473 U. S., at 765, n. 16. We have repeatedly reaffirmed state authority to impose reasonable and necessary nondiscriminatory regulations on Indian hunting, fishing, and gathering rights in the interest of conservation. See Puyallup Tribe v. Department of Game of Wash., 391 U. S. 392, 398 (1968); Washington v. Washington State Commercial Passenger Fishing Vessel Assn., 443 U. S., at 682; Antoine v. Washington, supra, at 207-208. This "conservation necessity" standard accommodates both the State's interest in management of its natural resources

And the state's findings are THIS

Last week, upon review of a fish management/harvest plan submitted by eight Chippewa bands that net walleyes from Mille Lacs, the DNR responded with a letter expressing concerns that “center on conservation and affect the management of fish populations in Mille Lacs.” Matters of conservation are grounds for seeking management changes, per the court ruling that affects Mille Lacs management.

DNR officials believe recent data collected from fish assessments could lead to drastic measures, possibly “a major overhaul in how we’re managing the system,” according to Don Pereira, DNR fisheries research and policy manager.

.State officials say the bands’ minimum allocation – under a proposed 5-year plan – “would greatly exceed 50 percent of the total male harvestable surplus, and possibly even exceed the entire male harvestable surplus.”

Besides the fact that spring tribal gill nets tend to target male walleyes that arrive early in shallow water, protective slots in place for the past several years also force state-licensed anglers to keep smaller fish, as well. Pereira says there’s “emerging information” regarding the effects of a protective slot, coming from other large lakes, though exploitation of young male walleyes is “nowhere near the level it is on Mille Lacs.”

Should the tribes not agree that changes are necessary, it’s possible the matter could go to mediation, something that hasn’t happened in a decade.

The argument this time around would be “fundamentally different,” Pereira said, in that it would be based strictly on conservation concerns.

Charlie Rasmussen, a spokesperson for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, said officials with the commission recently had received the notice from the Minnesota DNR, and were reviewing the information.

“Like any management plan, we’ll make the best decision for the sustainability of the resource on Mille Lacs,” he said.

They know what they need to do and shut down the netting, they just won't do their JOB!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVwiz1b9W3k

-- Edited by fishnpole on Thursday 4th of April 2013 09:58:50 PM

rjhumpy · Member

OK took a while but made a donation today - Hope it helps out and we can get something done

Sounds pretty grim, Bud Grant said in the vid that they had 1.5mil the 1st round in the 90's - Going to need alot of donations to get that type of ammo for the fight

Goal this time around is 50 g's - Why the large diffrence?

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

I wrote this article two years ago in the StarTribune. The "now" has even more meaning than back then. There is no choice! "NOW"!

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/blogs/135988013.html

fishnpole · Veteran Member

I like this part..................

"So at the latest meeting, questions were asked. "It doesn't seem fair" Terry McQuiod asked. Ed Boggess, director of Mn. DNR fish and wildlfe, said "the fairness issue doesn't really regard us. The fairness issue is for the federal courts and they've already ruled on that. If it is a CONSERVATION issue, then it concerns us." "

.....................................................................................................................................................................

That was in 2011. Pierrera says this year: "The argument this time around would be “fundamentally different,” Pereira said, in that it would be based strictly on conservation concerns."

WHEN ARE THEY GOING TO DO THEIR JOB?????????

rjhumpy · Member

To get ready for the big, long winter, people would tan deer hides and work on clothing in the summer. Men did a lot of hunting and fishing. As I said, they hunted small game, like raccoons and ducks. When they fished, they knew how to make nets that were just big enough to catch what they needed, rather than catch large quantities that would spoil.

They were good conservationists – they didn’t waste anything. When they caught fish, they didn’t just take the fish out and eat them. If they saw that a fish was female, they would squeeze the eggs out and deposit them back into the lake. If they killed a turtle for food, they used the shell for storage or as a plate.

This was copied from the Band Website under there summertime rituals (a couple paragraphs of the story) - I'm thinking they use bigger nets now to sell or waste/spoil, and i'd be damned to see them run back to the water to squeeze the eggs out, if they catch females

What happened here, not to conservitive anymore

confuse

Glen Ertl · Gray Goose Captain

Nice picture of another "blue eyed pale skin" native..... shame has no ethnic boundaries

disbelief

BTW... you can tell he just got his "warrior" haircut, so he can embrace his heritage for the week, while netting walleyes..... furious

-- Edited by Glen Ertl on Thursday 11th of April 2013 06:14:12 AM

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

This report seems to end the speculation regarding the "if" the netters will be on lake the after the Opener.

http://www.startribune.com/sports/outdoors/205898131.html

Here is your chance to help--- and be a part of making a difference. Nothing can or will be done until this effort is funded.

www.savemillelacssportfishing.org

fishinmission · Member

OK.. This might be a stupid question but how are they already harvesting fish from Mille Lacs?

As of last week, 119 pounds of walleyes were reported in the tribal harvest, and 46 pounds of northern pike. confuse confuse

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

They have been spearing and doing some under the ice netting

Eastsider · Member

Bobber,

Is there any particular area of the lake that they are netting and spearing? Thanks

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

I've heard that they have been netting in the creeks and any open water areas.

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

GLIFWC trucks (U.S. Government plates) are on the scene today. I suspect they are going to net whatever open water they can find. Malmo is the most open now. North Garrison has some open water too. See what happens tonight...

Mille Lacs Band has netted about 1500 lbs. so far.

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

MCallies wrote:
The netters were in front of our Malmo Bay homes late last night with flood lights from 11:00PM until well after midnight. It was hard to say how many fish were taken in their nets and there were no DNR officers monitoring it at 12:30AM I can assure you of that.
It is heartbreaking to see them using flood lights near Castaways marina to scour for the walleyes.
It is as ugly as it gets.

Yup--I saw the remains of the fish at the access this morning...
It amazes me that most, not all, locals sit back and watch this and hate it but won't support any effort that is in place to end it. It is embarrassing to know 95 percent or more of the locals won't put a nickel into helping the few of us that are trying to end this and fix the lake--as they continue to bitch about it.

$25 bucks (or more if one can afford it) too much to put toward this?
http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/donate

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Friday 10th of May 2013 10:29:21 AM

-- Edited by Steve Fellegy on Friday 10th of May 2013 10:30:17 AM

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

Steve Fellegy wrote:
GLIFWC trucks (U.S. Government plates) are on the scene today. I suspect they are going to net whatever open water they can find. Malmo is the most open now. North Garrison has some open water too. See what happens tonight...

Mille Lacs Band has netted about 1500 lbs. so far.

The Malmo access had Tribal harvest boats out from it last night.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

The netters were in front of our Malmo Bay homes late last night with flood lights from 11:00PM until well after midnight. It was hard to say how many fish were taken in their nets and there were no DNR officers monitoring it at 12:30AM I can assure you of that.

It is heartbreaking to see them using flood lights near Castaways marina to scour for the walleyes.

It is as ugly as it gets.

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

Lots of spears flying last night on the north end. I watched one boat come in with the bottom of the boat covered with speared walleyes. All sizes...

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/donate

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

One of the fish house owners at Red Door was shore fishing and had their lighted bobber lines cut off by a spearing boat. Amazing...it needs to end!

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/donate

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

So much for no netting after the opener! Gill-nets in the NW side of the lake last night filled many tubs full of all sizes of walleyes. This group was from "Bad River" WI., picking nets around 10 am. today and loading them at the south Garrison access.

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/donate

This will not go to court until it is funded!

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

Gill-nets are stretched from Doc's Resort all the way west to the Wealthwood access this morning--from last night.

"targeting perch" with the same mesh size. LOL

http://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/donate

bsenna · Newbie

I have an idea.... How about you people stop thinking you own everything.

fishnpole · Veteran Member

bsenna wrote:
I have an idea.... How about you people stop thinking you own everything.

Glad to hear that you had an idea, there, Bruno.

When you say, "you people", are you referring to the sport fishing community that are fishing for scraps left over after the DNR/GLIFWC decimation of our harvest due to the accommodating regulations designed to perpetuate the continued gillnetting of our spawning walleye population?

Pick a finger...................

bsenna · Newbie

See what I'm talking about, immaturity. I have another idea. If you don't like it leave. I'll pick the thumb... Head out.

fishnpole · Veteran Member

bsenna wrote:
See what I'm talking about, immaturity. I have another idea. If you don't like it leave. I'll pick the thumb... Head out.

I just don't know where to start, Bruno, but it's good to see you've actually had TWO ideas in a row, today!

lutzy · Member

bsenna wrote:
I have an idea.... How about you people stop thinking you own everything.

I am not sure where your anger comes from or where you are trying to take this argument, and frankly it is not by business. My only point is anyone that thinks it is OK to treat one American citizen differently than another American citizen is a moron, plain and simple!!

rjhumpy · Member

It was his 1st and 2nd post, he is just trying to get a rise out of people that care - Most likely does not care himself

He knows truly where his thumbs are firmly placed

sandman · Member

damn, I wish I could get away with racial comments on this page

fishnpole · Veteran Member

THE WORLD DOESN'T REVOLVE AROUND YOU AND YOUR BUDDIES, BRUNO.

You are an insignificant speck in our universe.

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Malmo Mike has made a good donation. I hope we can have some success. We are right but it costs money to make this work due to the past ridiculous rulings.

Come walleye. MM

Steve Fellegy · Veteran Member

MCallies wrote:
Malmo Mike has made a good donation. I hope we can have some success. We are right but it costs money to make this work due to the past ridiculous rulings.
Come walleye. MM

Good job Mike!! I just bumped my $$ amount up too.

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Lake Mille Lacs walleye rules tightened to address population crash

By Dave Orrick
dorrick@pioneerpress.com

POSTED: 03/19/2013 12:01:00 AM CDT

UPDATED: 03/19/2013 11:40:37 PM CDT

There's a "serious problem" with Minnesota's most popular fish on one of the state's most popular lakes.

Amid that backdrop, the Department of Natural Resources announced new walleye regulations for Lake Mille Lacs on Tuesday, March 19, scrunching the size of fish that anglers can keep and crunching the bag limit to two per day.

Starting with the May 11 walleye opener, anglers will be allowed to keep two fish between 18 and 20 inches, or one fish in that slot and one longer than 28 inches. Last season, anglers could keep four fish daily shorter than 17 inches or three under 17 inches and one over 28 inches.

The new regulations, as well as looser rules for keeping northern pike and smallmouth bass, are designed to boost the lake's famed walleye population, especially younger walleye, whose numbers have been declining.

"We have a serious problem on Mille Lacs," said Dirk Peterson, the DNR's fisheries chief. Fall gillnet surveys estimated the lake's walleye population at its lowest in the 40 years the current survey method has been used.

The lake's naturally reproducing walleye population is still robust enough to sustain itself, Peterson and DNR biologists said, but the lake needs more "small fish-friendly" regulations to allow the future of the fishery to come along.

That won't happen in one season.

"We hope to see some turning of the corner in the next two to three years," Peterson said. Biologists have eschewed the notion that the lake is biologically "out of balance," as many resort owners and guides have asserted. Instead, officials say, the fishery is out of kilter with the expectations of many fishermen.

Mille Lacs of late has become known for producing only large walleye, which last summer frustrated many anglers hoping to bring home a live-well full of smaller fish for the frying pan. (Under last season's rules, those larger fish often were too big to keep.)

The lake also has become home to large smallmouth bass and hefty northern pike, both populations likely the result, in part, of protective length and bag limits. Too many large predator fish of any kind is a concern because each large fish needs more food to survive -- food that won't be available to smaller fish. And those large fish can eat the smaller fish.

In an effort to moderate the number of large pike and smallmouth bass, the DNR is loosening those rules.

Anglers will be allowed to keep up to six smallmouth bass under 17 inches daily, or five under 17 inches and one over 21 inches. Last season, only one fish longer than 21 inches could be kept. In other words, what had been a trophy-only management regime is now set up with an eye toward a dinner table perhaps bereft of walleye.

The daily limit

for northern pike will remain at three fish, but the protected slot -- the range in which all fish must be released -- will be 33 inches to 40 inches, a shrinkage from 27 inches to 40 inches. One pike longer than 40 inches can be kept, same as last season.

Creating a narrow walleye harvest slot isn't unprecedented on the lake, but the "safe harvest level" -- the total tonnage of walleyes killed that the massive lake can handle -- has been set at 250,000 for the 2013-14 season. That's half last season's level and the lowest level since 1997, when treaty management between the state and American Indian tribes began.

Members of Chippewa Bands whose descendants signed on to an 1837 treaty retain court-upheld rights to fish Mille Lacs outside the jurisdiction of the state of Minnesota. They include the Fond du Lac and Mille Lacs bands in Minnesota and six Wisconsin bands.

The most controversial of their practices is to net walleyes in the spring, as the fish are spawning. During the tribal-regulated season of two to three weeks, young male walleyes, which linger around spawning areas, are heavily fished.

Tribal netting alone doesn't explain the falling numbers of small fish in the lake, but there is a movement within Indian groups to reduce the number of small fish taken, said Charlie Rasmussen, spokesman for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission.

"What the tribes are looking to do is encourage more spearing than in the past," Rasmussen said. "A vast majority of the harvest has been by nets, and tribal biologists have looked to see spearing making up a larger percentage."

Spearing is more selective than netting, and as a way to remove more larger fish, tribal officials are removing the maximum size limit on walleyes that can be speared, he said.

Currently, there is no plan to change netting practices. "That's a consideration for tribal managers to consider in the future," Rasmussen said.

Peterson said the DNR has "had conversations" with tribal officials over netting, but he said the agency did not directly ask that the practice cease during closed-door discussions earlier this winter to set the safe harvest levels.

Levels for this year are 178,750 pounds of walleyes for non-tribal members and 71,250 for tribal members. Rasmussen noted the bands could have claimed more.

"The long-term health of the lake is front and center," he said. "The bands and the state both share that concern and are taking measures to reduce mortality of younger fish."

The fundamental problem of the walleye fishery appears to be that too few young walleye are surviving to adulthood. Biologists from the DNR and GLIFWC say they don't know all the causes, although they suspect several might be at work. Changes in the forage and effects of invasive species are among the possibilities.

Both the state and tribes are planning a number of studies.

Dave Orrick can be reached at 651-228-5512. Follow him at twitter.com/OutdoorsNow.

wallyhntr1 · Member

There is a person in another fishing forum (think we all know which) who has made the offer to match dollar for dollar until the 50k is reached, believe we are at 33k now.. VERY generous offer!

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

http://www.lakestatefishing.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=75166&viewmode=flat&order=ASC&type=&mode=0&start=10

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Our current donation total is around $52,000. Our website has not been updated due to vacations/holidays etc.

The money collected will start the process, more money may be needed as we continue down this road to finally not allow tribal gill netting done during the spawning time frame. The process starts by taking our MnDNR to court.

Lake Mille Lacs, in no uncertain terms, needs to be managed based on general, basic biology based fishery management practiced throughout Minnesota. Not fishery management based on accommodating Tribal harvest rights that exceeds the lakes ability to sustain modern day historical walleye population numbers. Gill-netting walleyes is not an acceptable modern day form of walleye harvest. Gill-netting Lake Mille Lacs walleyes by anyone should not be allowed and banning gill-nets as a form of walleye harvest should surely be part of the solution, no matter the time of the year but especially during the spawning season.

* from our website

MCallies · Malmo Bay Bomber

Thanks for the important update, Fishnpole.

WTG. We MUST succeed in this case. The Lake is counting on us!

MM

fishnpole · **BY TOM DAVIS**

Well, here it is folks: the moment we've been talking about for 15 years.

http://sportingclassicsdaily.com/issue/january-9-2014/article/in-a-pickle-over-walleyes

In A Pickle Over Walleyes

BY TOM DAVIS

It had to come as a shock when biologists for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conceded recently that there’s a real possibility, in the near if not immediate future, of Mille Lacs being designated catch-and-release only for walleyes. That’s right: No more “release to the grease,” no more golden-brown fillets sizzling merrily in the cast-iron skillet, no more of that incomparably sweet, white, flaky flesh melting in rapturously appreciative mouths.

With more than 200 square miles of surface area, but a maximum depth of only 40-some feet, Minnesota’s Lake Mille Lacs is one of the world’s great walleye fisheries. Perhaps only Lake of the Woods, spilling across both sides of the Minnesota-Ontario border, enjoys the same legendary status among devotees of “old marble-eyes.” Anglers flock to Mille Lacs by the thousands, not only in summer and fall but in winter as well, generating millions of dollars for the local economy.

Photo Courtesy Chuck Wechsler.

In addition to being one of the most popular walleye fisheries in North America, Mille Lacs is one of the most intensively managed. Slot limits, designed to protect the core of the breeding population and give more fish a chance to attain trophy size, have been in place there for decades, creating a regulatory model widely emulated elsewhere.

So it had to come as a shock when biologists for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conceded recently that there’s a real possibility, in the near if not immediate future, of Mille Lacs being designated catch-and-release only for walleyes. That’s right: No more “release to the grease,” no more golden-brown fillets sizzling merrily in the cast-iron skillet, no more of that incomparably sweet, white, flaky flesh melting in rapturously appreciative mouths.

There’s more than one problem affecting the fishery (as there usually is), but the bottom line is that Mille Lacs’ walleye population is declining. The harvest quota, established in cooperation with Chippewa tribal authorities, has been slashed in response. But because mortality of released walleyes is factored into the formula – and because fishing pressure remains high – the allowable sport harvest is being squeezed between the rock of the quota cap and the hard place of the estimated mortality. According to outdoors writer Doug Smith of the Minneapolis Star-Tribune, once the 2013 ice-fishing season closes and the open water season begins, the allowable walleye sport harvest could be as little as 29,000 pounds.

For the sake of comparison, the sport harvest of Mille Lacs walleyes in 2012 was 310,000pounds.

Minnesota DNR officials are looking at ways to reduce the mortality of released walleyes, or as one biologist puts it, “to convert that hooking mortality to harvest.” Requiring the use of barbless hooks, restricting (or even eliminating) the use of live bait, and doing a better job educating anglers on proper release techniques are all on the table – but the specter of a catch-and-release only fishery, which would undoubtedly create significant economic fallout, is beginning to darken the door.

As Tom Jones of the Minnesota DNR told the Star-Tribune, “We are in a pickle. Whatever we come up with, people aren’t going to like.”

-- Edited by fishnpole on Monday 10th of February 2014 09:50:40 PM

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Oh, yeah, and by the way, they can still net the lake all they want.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4WZgEt5Wsc

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KGGrhDAblAQ

Red Lake all over again.............

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M4EWzfpPQN4

-- Edited by fishnpole on Monday 10th of February 2014 09:56:50 PM

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Why are the nets still targeting the males?

Mille Lacs Lake. Gillnetting in Mille Lacs Lake is allowed year around. Only subsistence netting may occur from March 2 - May 31. Subsistence nets during this and other times may be up to 100 feet in length and 4 feet deep. The allowable mesh sizes (bar) for subsistence nets during this and other times are 1.25 to 1.75 inches. From June 1 - March 1 both subsistence and commercial netting may be authorized. If authorized by your tribe, allowable mesh sizes (bar) for commercial nets are the same as for subsistence nets (i.e. 1.25 to 1.75 inches); however, commercial nets may be up to 300 feet in length and six feet in depth. All nets must comply with lifting, marking, and safety requirements. For gill-nets targeted at tullibee, only 1.75 inch mesh (bar) is authorized.

This year’s walleye allocations are the lowest since cooperative treaty management began for the lake in 1997, according to the DNR’s press release, and that they “reflect biologists’ deep concern about the lake’s recent inability to produce large crops of young walleyes, despite adequate spawning stock and excellent production of young-of-the-year, fingerling-sized fish. The lake has not produced a strong year-class of walleyes since 2008.”

fishnpole · Veteran Member

February, 2014 Updates

Dear Donors and Future Donors:

Our task of bringing our case forward has taken a lot longer than expected. It has been difficult to raise support and funds from so many who have just given up hope.

We have been shocked at how many citizens have accepted that the DNR can literally ruin a lake, economy and decades of family traditions.

The filing is going to happen and you will know when it does. We have enough fuel in the tank to get things rolling; but as we all know refueling is going to be necessary.

When it happens, lean on the naysayers and let them know you were willing to step up to the plate and put your money where your mouth was as a charter contributor.

We will let everyone know that the DNR is on the wrong side of this issue. We encourage you to share this message and get others involved.

If you have questions or comments, you are welcome to

Become a Supporting Member and Donate.

Top Donations to Save Lake Mille Lacs Sports Fishing Legal Fund

GENEROUS MEMBER IS MATCHING FUNDS/DONATIONS:

member tkleven:

"Here's where you can keep an eye on the progress we're making. Support has really slowed down. We really need to pick up the pace and still need $17,500 of the $50,000 needed to bring this to court.

NOW, is the time to put your money where your mouths are, folks.

https://www.savemillelacssportfishing.org/donate

I will match every dollar pledged to meet the remaining funds required.

- tkleven "

member bob carlson:

"Thank you tkleven,

I pledge a donation of $500 to be added on this day 11-23-13

Remember fellow fisherman it's tax deductible! the year is coming to an end soon.

http://www.lakestatefishing.com/modules/newbb/viewtopic.php?topic_id=75166&forum=8&post_id=543976#forumpost543976

This member on LSF stated he would match every dollar pledged.

So I just added a $500 donation to the site!! lets see where this one goes.

-Bob"

Become a Supporting Member and Donate.

SAVE MILLE LACS SPORT FISHING

c/o Twin Pines Resort

7827 US HWY 169

Garrison, MN 56450
Phone: (320) 279-0693

Contribute to Save Lake Mille Lacs Sports Fishing Legal Fund

7outof10 · Member

So when is something going to happen its a good time of the year to get the ball rolling .....and yes I have given what I can afford to .....wish I could give a lot more

Bobber · Admin / Moderator

getting close........soon very soon!

fishnpole · Veteran Member

Wait! Is that the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources" alarm clock going off?

http://www.funnyordie.com/videos/ffafa7a54b/angry-alarms-screaming-scotsman

-- Edited by fishnpole on Tuesday 11th of March 2014 10:48:22 AM

fishnpole · Veteran Member

http://perm.org/pdfs/Brief_of_Appellants_in_Support_of_Declaratory_Judgment.pdf?utm_content=&utm_source=VerticalResponse&utm_medium=Email&utm_term=Brief%20of%20Appellants%20in%20Support%20of%20Declaratory%20Judgment&utm_campaign=DNR%20Responds%2c%20Lifts%20Mille%20Lacs%20Night%20Fishing%20Bancontent

Douglas Meyenburg PERM 763-843-1039

Bill Eno Save Mille Lacs Sport Fishing 320-279-1174

DNR Responds, Lifts Mille Lacs Night Fishing Ban

The DNR has just lifted its ban on ALL night fishing on Mille Lacs. The ban was the most controversial part of their April 21 emergency Rule for fishing on Mille Lacs. Critics saw it as an unnecessary overreach and dodging the real issues behind the crashing walleye population in Mille Lacs.

The ban's suspension came hard on the heels of a Court of Appeals brief filed Friday, July 12 by attorney Erick Kaardal. His brief was the next step in the Save Mille Lacs Sportfishing (SMLSF)/Proper Economic Resource Management (PERM) lawsuit against the DNR.

The suspension "came out of pressure from the lawsuit, media, resorters, and anglers," according to Doug Meyenburg, PERM President. "This is a grassroots lawsuit that is already having an effect on the way the DNR does business," he added.

The DNR may be hoping that suspension of the rule will take the heat off them and the wind out of the lawsuit, rendering it moot. Not so, according to Kaardal. "I have seen this from bureaucracies before." The lawsuit remains significant since "our case should be able to proceed because the rule still exists and is still effective through 2015," according to Kaardal.

That Court of Appeals lawsuit first filed in May challenged the DNR for failing to preserve Mille Lacs Lake fishing heritage for Minnesota citizens, as required by a Minnesota constitutional amendment and by Minnesota's related "public trust" doctrine.

The lawsuit argued that DNR's April 21 emergency Rule for fishing on Mille Lacs "does not apply or even mention the applicable legal standards," and therefore the rule is invalid.

The lawsuit further argued that the court in which the lawsuit (a Petition for Declaratory Judgment Against the Rule) has jurisdiction, and that the petitioners have standing to file a lawsuit.

The Court then denied the SMLSF / PERM lawsuit's request for the DNR to "show cause" or how it did not ignore the constitutional amendment and public trust doctrine. However, the Court did require the DNR to "forward the record and itemized list of the contents of the record," to the Petitioners.

The DNR responded with an 18,700 page administrative record—that "did not mention the Preserve Hunting and Fishing Heritage constitutional provision, nor the public trust doctrine." Despite the length and apparent lack of itemization, Kaardal soon found that the emergency Rule, published by the DNR on April 21, 2014, does not apply or even mention the applicable legal standards.

The brief filed Friday by Kaardal again argues for a Declaratory Judgment, since the DNR's failing to preserve Mille Lacs Lake fishing heritage as required by the Minnesota constitutional and related "public trust" doctrine renders the Mille Lacs fishing rule invalid.

The brief further argues specifically for the Court of Appeals to issue a broad ruling. Several reasons are given, but of particular importance is to require the DNR to apply the law in every case. That would avoid piecemeal litigation--lake by lake or species by species. All lakes and sport fishing across the state would be covered by the ruling.

DNR NEWS – FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE July 14, 2014

Night fishing on Mille Lacs Lake opens July 21

Mille Lacs Lake anglers may fish at night beginning Monday, July 21 at 10 p.m., according to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

“We’re pleased we can open the lake to night fishing,” said Brad Parsons, central region fisheries manager for the DNR. “Evening and night launches can resume operation, and boats can travel and fish at night. In addition to walleye, anglers can again seek muskellunge and bow fish during prime nighttime hours.”

In past years, the Mille Lacs Lake night closure, from 10 p.m. to 6 a.m., began the Monday after the May opener and continued through mid-June. This year’s regulations extended the closure to Dec. 1 to help ensure state-licensed anglers did not catch more walleye than the lake’s safe harvest limit allowed. If that limit was reached, anglers would have had to release all walleye instead of being allowed to keep two. The possession limit is two fish 18- to 20-inches. One fish may be longer than 28 inches.

“So far, anglers have caught about 10,000 pounds of walleye,” Parsons said. “That number will increase once night fishing resumes, but catch rates have been low enough to alleviate concerns that anglers will catch more than the 42,900 pounds of walleye the harvest limit allows.”

Anglers have caught fewer walleye because walleye are feeding on an abundance of perch in Mille Lacs this year and reduced fishing pressure. Cool temperatures and rain have kept the water temperatures down, which lowers mortality of released fish. Fish are more likely to die after being released in warmer water even if properly handled.

“The DNR is not removing the night closure because Mille Lacs Lake has recovered,” said Don Pereira, DNR fisheries section chief. “More young walleye still need to survive their first year and keep growing from year to year into larger walleye. Conditions this year combined for a slow bite, allowing DNR to re-open an activity that helps the Mille Lacs area economy and is a tradition among many fishing families.”

For more information, visit the Mille Lacs Lake Web page at www.mndnr.gov/millelacslake. People interested in receiving email updates about Mille Lacs Lake can subscribe to the Hooked On Mille Lacs Update list at www.mndnr.gov/millelacslakenews.