Catfish Diaries – Thanks Joel

I just received a email from Joel Stiras at the DNR. Enclosed was a water proof fishing diary. This should make things a lot easier for me and hopefully others.

In Joel’s words, “This project is hanging by a thread…”. I’ll admit I have data sitting in a database that I never sent in, but with this I will be able to get more proactive.

It sounds like this is our last chance if we want the DNR to stay involved in managing our catfish resource. So we have no excuses anymore. The logs are very basic and shouldn’t take much time to enter data.

Thanks again Joel.

Pug, how do we do this again? Can you share the details for us thick brained people that need it presented 15 times?

Thanks!

I got a think brain too, that’s why I am so happy they sent paper copies.

Info

you can also email Joel and request a copy at MetroEast.Catfish****state.mn.us (replace the **** with @ / Trying to trick spam bots) or call 651-259-5806

They just want us to keep track of all our trips where we are targeting cats, and accidental catches too. Remember that if you are targeting cats and don’t catch any, that needs to be reported too, it is just as important.

Here are the fields you fill out:

Date

Start time

end time

#anglers

body of water / area fished

Bank or Boat (circle one)

Then when you catch a fish, here are those fields:

Species (Flathead/Channel)

Time

length

tag (y/n)

tag#

Harvest (y/n)

GPS Coordinates

Most fishing log apps on a smart phone will record everything automatically except length, tag info and harvest, which you can enter manually.

I probably won’t take the sheets with me, but it will be easy to transfer the data by reviewing my app log entry.

I should mention something that could alleviate some concerns with people keeping diaries. Some people don’t want to keep them because they don’t want to report their location information, or don’t have a GPS, or don’t want to take the time to figure out river miles. That’s fine. Location information is the MOST important if a TAGGED fish is caught. If anglers don’t want to report that location stuff that is fine. Reporting a general location like what ramp a boat was launched or a general shore fishing spot is helpful, but not necessary. I just hope that anglers would do that little extra bit of work and report the best location possible when a tagged fish is caught. River miles are listed on most navigation maps that anglers already have and the DNR online tag reporting service uses a map where you simply zoom in on where you caught the fish and click on the location.

Contrary to some people’s beliefs, this location stuff is not being used to tell Conservation Officers where to set up stings. But when people are paranoid like that, they always think big brother is out to get them no matter what, and I can’t change their minds. This is just a project to find out more about our catfish populations, our catfish fishermen, what fishing is like now so we can compare to information we collect in the future. If we don’t get that information now, we won’t have anything to compare to and know if fishing and catfish populations are getting worse or getting better. I’m the only one seeing the location data, and I’m not posting all these spots in a report.

Joel

Thanks for the clarification Joel.

My waterproof booklet is in my boat and I have it up to date. Using the booklet is MUCH easier to record while waiting for the next bite then is was to try and fill out a form when back on shore…when sleep was on my mind.

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Contrary to some people’s beliefs, this location stuff is not being used to tell Conservation Officers where to set up stings. But when people are paranoid like that, they always think big brother is out to get them no matter what, and I can’t change their minds.

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That is probably the saddest statement I’ve ever heard about cat fishing.

I can’t believe someone would actually think that, much less say it! Sting operation for what? Got something to hide? Maybe they should listen to their paranoia. Our minds make us feel guilty for a reason.

And to put one’s self interest over the good of the fishery. All I can say is it is equally as sad as pathetic.

So anyway, for any of you not man enough to man up to helping the fishery so you can get away with what ever you are doing, just don’t add the locations. Any info is better than no info.

I’m guessing Pug’s diary will be the shortest book ever written in Minnesota state history.

Heard he was photo copying the page from his first trip.

got mine in the mail the other day!

thanks Joel!

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I’m guessing Pug’s diary will be the shortest book ever written in Minnesota state history.

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I’m guessing Pug’s diary will be the shortest book ever written in Minnesota state history.

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Come on now Sasquatch. Play nice.

Got mine in the mail the other day! its in the cat tool box right now. finnaly have something to put in it, a little 15 lber caught this past weekend.

Yo Joel!

Do you need to know how many lines are in the water for the Mississippi? I figure two lines per person would mess up the angler hours if you weren’t aware.