Anglers Surpass Mille Lacs Walleye Quota; Season To Remain Open

This just came out on CBS

Anglers Surpass Mille Lacs Walleye Quota; Season To Remain Open

Well it is cool we can keep fishing em…what the heck is the point of a quota then?

I wonder what was negotiated away to make this happen. We probably won’t know until next spring.

I have not been around the lake this season and have been using one public access on the south end. This is a popular ramp I’ve used 6 or so times in the last 3 weeks and the lot is 25-50 percent full each time. I find it interesting that I have not once been surveyed (fish caught, size, number, hours fished, zip code). In years past we have always been questioned at this ramp each time it feels like.

Has the DNR been conducting creel surveys around the lake this year?

Statement from Governor Mark Dayton:

“I have directed the DNR not to close the walleye fishing season on Lake Mille Lacs, and I have contacted tribal leaders to ask for their understanding and forbearance. The DNR has already imposed a very stringent, catch-and-release only, restriction on this season.

“Closing the walleye fishing season on Mille Lacs would devastate area businesses and communities. The State’s fisheries experts have assured me that continuing catch-and-release on Mille Lacs will not negatively impact the health of the walleye fishery.

“We will continue to do everything possible, working with area business, community, and tribal leaders, to assure the long-term health and sustainable recovery of the Mille Lacs walleye fishery.”

Well as much as I’m glad/relieved that the walleye season will not shut down, I can’t help but smell something fishy…somewhere. In reading the DNR press release and the Gov’s statement, I am finding some inconsistencies and contradictions that make me wonder and worry. It was the previous position of the DNR that once the agreed upon safe harvest level was met or exceeded, they were mandated to close the season. Supposedly the Gov has finally stepped in and given them pardon? Does he or did he always have that authority? Why not last year…what is different this year? The article states that “the most recent creel estimate at 37,922 pounds”, that’s almost 10,000 pounds past the quota! And we’re still not done. I’m not always a negative “Nellie” but I can’t help but think there will be something to be paid for, somehow, someway.

This Whole issue is a disaster. 1st of all the season should have been shut down Totally for a season to allow the lake a chance to rebound. Then they set a Quota based on Hooking mortality – without a reliable way to correctly measure it. Then they reach the Bogus mortality limit and decide not to close down the season. They are simply putting a crappy bandaid on the situation. When the lake takes years ( If ever ) to recover, everyone will say. “Why did they just not close the season for a year to allow it to recover or why did they not close the season when the Bogus mortality rate was reached” I have no idea of who is making decisions on this issue these days or what their overall plan is. Its just Sad !!!!!

fishthumper wrote:

This Whole issue is a disaster. 1st of all the season should have been shut down Totally for a season to allow the lake a chance to rebound. Then they set a Quota based on Hooking mortality – without a reliable way to correctly measure it. Then they reach the Bogus mortality limit and decide not to close down the season. They are simply putting a crappy bandaid on the situation. When the lake takes years ( If ever ) to recover, everyone will say. “Why did they just not close the season for a year to allow it to recover or why did they not close the season when the Bogus mortality rate was reached” I have no idea of who is making decisions on this issue these days or what their overall plan is. Its just Sad !!!!!

You’re missing the point. Have you fished the lake this year? Why close down for a season (to give the lake a boost…) when it OBVIOUSLY is a healthy lake already concerning the walleye population. The DNR has admitted they were WAY off on their walleye population projections…RR

Steve or anyone, do you know the science between this mortality number?

I haven’t seen a DNR person on the water or at any landings all season. Most of the boats on the water are Bass boats, so I’m assuming they aren’t targeting Walleyes. I have seen very few Walleyes floating. Taxpayers money was put into more closely monitoring the Mille Lacs situation. Where are the people monitoring?

Fife wrote:

Steve or anyone, do you know the science between this mortality number?

I haven’t seen a DNR person on the water or at any landings all season. Most of the boats on the water are Bass boats, so I’m assuming they aren’t targeting Walleyes. I have seen very few Walleyes floating. Taxpayers money was put into more closely monitoring the Mille Lacs situation. Where are the people monitoring?

Fife, you just posted on this other thread https://www.in-depthoutdoors.com/community/forums/topic/latest-dnr-report-for-mille-lacs-harvest-uh-oh/#post-1633008, where we talk about what you are seemingly asking here. This describes the ongoing process this year that I and obviously others have witnessed regarding their mortality study this year. Furthermore, I have seen creel clerks at the North Garrison access several times this year.

Andy

OK, Here is a link to an article by Dave Orrick..Pioneer Press. This explains in detail the process as the author is participating in this DNR collecting process.

http://www.twincities.com/2016/05/27/mille-lacs-walleye-fishing-hooking-mortality-study/

Interesting quote from the above article.

Because, under federal court order, the state shares Mille Lacs’ walleye with Chippewa Indians with treaty rights to the lake, there’s no wiggle room.

Minnesota will be forced to shut down walleye fishing before its agreed-upon kill limit — 28,600 pounds this year — is reached. (The Indian bands have agreed to a limit of 11,400 pounds.)

roosterrouster wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>fishthumper wrote:</div>
This Whole issue is a disaster. 1st of all the season should have been shut down Totally for a season to allow the lake a chance to rebound. Then they set a Quota based on Hooking mortality – without a reliable way to correctly measure it. Then they reach the Bogus mortality limit and decide not to close down the season. They are simply putting a crappy bandaid on the situation. When the lake takes years ( If ever ) to recover, everyone will say. “Why did they just not close the season for a year to allow it to recover or why did they not close the season when the Bogus mortality rate was reached” I have no idea of who is making decisions on this issue these days or what their overall plan is. Its just Sad !!!!!

You’re missing the point. Have you fished the lake this year? Why close down for a season (to give the lake a boost…) when it OBVIOUSLY is a healthy lake already concerning the walleye population. The DNR has admitted they were WAY off on their walleye population projections…RR

Totally concur with RR. In the handful of times I have been on the water between June 27th and Sunday, several hundred walleyes have come over the gunnel of my boat. Out of all those, I have only seen 1 fish that looked unhealthy, the rest are either extremely plump to bordering on obese! Those fish look great and I am seeing clouds of bait in several different locations around the lake also. Just happy I can still go out there and have some fun!

Launch trip scheduled for Saturday morning…. 8am- Noon.

I’m aware of these studies going on, but there are still unanswered questions:

1. How are they monitoring angling hours?
2. Are they using this new study or the old model(20% of fish die with water temps over 70)?

From the StarTribune: “Leaders of the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa quickly challenged Dayton’s conclusion, saying they were disappointed in his announcement and issuing a sternly-worded rebuttal.

“We have not seen the data the state used….but our biologists believe the state’s decision to exceed its share of the agreed safe harvestable limit will prolong and could negatively impact the ability to rebuild the Mille Lacs walleye population in the future,” said Susan Klapel, Commissioner of Natural Resources from the Mille Lacs Band.”

Fife wrote:

I’m aware of these studies going on, but there are still unanswered questions:

1. How are they monitoring angling hours?
2. Are they using this new study or the old model(20% of fish die with water temps over 70)?

Ya…you bet there are unanswered questions! Even myself in casual observations can get a clue on angler pressure/hours. My guess is that they have more information than I do.
The old (guessing model) based on formulas, estimates and other wizardry has now been modernized to this years pen collection exercise. They have now been able to more accurately count mortality based on actual counts of surviving fish and dead/dying fish counting actual fish as opposed to formula counted fish.
Now on to the real questions…
How after all these years of treaty negotiated safe harvest limits can we now blow by without blinking? Why in all previous years with narrow slot limits, reduced bag limits all clamped down because the state licensed anglers could not exceed the agreed upon limit? All those limitations over all those years so as not to exceed the limit, and now this year? We’re almost 10,000 past and still counting?
DNR Chief Don Perriera says the priority was to preserve 2013 year class to maintain future spawning biomass? Last year’s slot was 18-20″, which this year would not have even been subject to harvest? Now that we have blown by the quota, why was there not at least a 1 fish harvest limit like 1 over 20″? What difference would that have made since now there is no limit?? As Steve Fellegy posted, this will be interesting to say the least.

Had our worst day in the last 7 trips to Mille Lacs.
38 Walleye fron 13″ to 25″….

In spite of those dismal numbers Mille Lacs still remains the hottest Walleye lake in the state by a long shot….

Dam the Mn DNR……

Fife wrote:

I’m aware of these studies going on, but there are still unanswered questions:

1. How are they monitoring angling hours?
2. Are they using this new study or the old model(20% of fish die with water temps over 70)?

They are Still using last years model for calculated mortality BUT they know based on studies this year that it’s way off… I think that is part of how they are justifying this move behind closed doors.

steve-fellegy wrote:

From the StarTribune: “Leaders of the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa quickly challenged Dayton’s conclusion, saying they were disappointed in his announcement and issuing a sternly-worded rebuttal.

“We have not seen the data the state used….but our biologists believe the state’s decision to exceed its share of the agreed safe harvestable limit will prolong and could negatively impact the ability to rebuild the Mille Lacs walleye population in the future,” said Susan Klapel, Commissioner of Natural Resources from the Mille Lacs Band.”

I am relieved to see the Band challenge. This tells me no promises were made behind closed doors. When the Band backs down is when we should start to worry about a bad deal being made.

steve-fellegy wrote:

From the StarTribune: “Leaders of the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa quickly challenged Dayton’s conclusion, saying they were disappointed in his announcement and issuing a sternly-worded rebuttal.

“We have not seen the data the state used….but our biologists believe the state’s decision to exceed its share of the agreed safe harvestable limit will prolong and could negatively impact the ability to rebuild the Mille Lacs walleye population in the future,” said Susan Klapel, Commissioner of Natural Resources from the Mille Lacs Band.”

Has the state seen “their” data?

Kyhl wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>steve-fellegy wrote:</div>
From the StarTribune: “Leaders of the Mille Lacs Band of Chippewa quickly challenged Dayton’s conclusion, saying they were disappointed in his announcement and issuing a sternly-worded rebuttal.

“We have not seen the data the state used….but our biologists believe the state’s decision to exceed its share of the agreed safe harvestable limit will prolong and could negatively impact the ability to rebuild the Mille Lacs walleye population in the future,” said Susan Klapel, Commissioner of Natural Resources from the Mille Lacs Band.”

I am relieved to see the Band challenge. This tells me no promises were made behind closed doors. When the Band backs down is when we should start to worry about a bad deal being made.

Interesting take. I think you are spot on…RR

http://www.twincities.com/2016/08/09/mille-lacs-band-deeply-disappointed-by-walleye-decision/?utm_campaign=Echobox&utm_medium=Social&utm_source=Twitter#link_time=1470783835

We shall see? This quote may give us some clues…
Dylan Jennings, a spokesman for the Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, noted that the tribes had foregone netting on the lake this year in a dedicated effort to restore the walleye population. “The bands are currently and continually under their quota,” he said. “They had expected the state to do the same.”

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/4091320-anglers-shoot-past-mille-lacs-limit-dnr-continues-season-anyway#.V6sbLJEOUHs.facebook

steve-fellegy wrote:

http://www.brainerddispatch.com/news/4091320-anglers-shoot-past-mille-lacs-limit-dnr-continues-season-anyway#.V6sbLJEOUHs.facebook

Quote from the article:

“As they have done every year, the tribes honored their commitment to stay within their share of the safe harvest limit to protect the lake for generations to come,” she said. “We are deeply disappointed to learn the state will not honor its commitment to do the same.”

Now there is a pile of BS….

-J.

The following is quote from a prominent Mille Lacs Band rep, Jim Kalk to the Mille Lacs Messenger today:

“Yay! No more quotas! Just give the fish away. Forget about signed legal agreements – they mean zilch! Especially now that we’re living in a Donald Trump world. Just surrender your treaty rights – the tribal bosses are giving them away just to make Gub’nor Dayton happy anyway. They’re going, going, going….! Lol.” —Jim Kalk

We are in for a real mess. You guys think the netting on Gull and harvesting rice on Hole in the Day was a one time deal?
I think not. With these developments and the comments by Tribal leaders in their wake, they are going to make a statement, a much larger one this year. No doubt they are already figuring out what that might be.

I, personally, am glad they are keeping it open. But by the sounds from the Band, they are not happy. It’ll be interesting to see what comes of this in the coming month(s).

Good, maybe their gambling monopoly will be going, going, gone too!