I find it totally amazing that the DNR will be dropping the allowable walleye harvest on Mille Lacs based soley on this past falls net surveys! During this past fall the pattern for fishing changed radically from past years because of an abundance of bait fish in Mille Lacs. Usually in the fall, walleyes tend to move into shallower water to eat bait fish. Fisherman will run crankbaits in this shallower water to catch walleyes. This past fall the walleyes did not move into shallower water because the main basin of the lake was still full of baitfish. Fall crankbait fishing was poor as well.
A normal pattern in walleye behavior changed! When the fall test nets were put into their normal locations as in past years, the DNR reported "net survey catches were at record low levels". Less walleyes or more baitfish?
DNR creel surveys on Mille Lacs were reported to be low this winter. If Mille Lacs is in fact at a near record high level for bait fish available to walleyes, it makes sense that the creel surveys this winter would naturally be low--possibly a record low when compared to past year winter creel surveys.
With the increased use of underwater cameras and sophisticated electronics it is very apparent to veteran fisherman on Mille Lacs that the lake is full of bait for walleyes and as a result the winter bite has been very difficult at best. My informal creel surveys of fisherman and resort owners is that walleyes are seen in abundance on underwater cameras all over the lake. However, they are seen swimming around millions of 2-3" perch and small minnows.
I think that the DNR must scientifically determine the walleye population of Mille Lacs by controlling the variables of net location, dates, water temperature, length of time nets are placed etc., each fall. This does set a standard and an average that is statistically defendable and politically correct. However, this past fall and winter Mille Lacs has been much different. It seems to me that this difference needs to be taken into account when determining not only the allowable catch on Mille Lacs, slot sizes, but also the future of a $50 million industry.
