Fishing for survival. Is it really that common anymore?

Reading a few topics on here, facebook, and other websites I see often people bring up fishing for food to survive and this is often used as a defense or counter to lower limits, imposing slots, raising fees, etc.

While I realize that there are some who do indeed rely on that bucket full of perch or sunnies to provide food for the family I believe they have to be a very small minority of fisherman these days. To me it seems like fishing is more of a leisure or adventure hobby along the lines of motorcycling or snowmobiling and there just happens to be the added bonus that you can keep some of what you catch and have tasty meal.

I realize not everyone has a boat. I just got my boat 4 years ago. Before that I would shore fish for catfish in the local rivers. Spoke with a lot of people while shore fishing and seemed like everyone of them was doing it because they enjoyed fishing and not because they depended on the fish for a meal.

Just seems to me that this line of thinking is used to justify freezer filling and bucket stuffing.

I don’t know. Am I off base?

Nobody is fishing to live. Of course I’m not counting the commercial guys. Enjoying fish and needing to catch fish to live are two different things.

I would say, not in the lower 48.

I fish for the relaxation it provides,and yes,I keep fish to eat through the winter but I wouldnt call it fishing for survival as there are plenty of other things to eat in my freezer.

this may sound childish,but in the winter time when I fry up a few small batches,it takes me back to when and where I caught them and how much fun I had doing it,so you could say it relaxes me more than once.
in that case,you could apply it to mental survival as I hate winter lol.

If someone is fishing to survive and posting about it online, they should sell their computer, drop their internet service & go shopping at the grocery store

gonecribbin wrote:

If someone is fishing to survive and posting about it online, they should sell their computer, drop their internet service & go shopping at the grocery store

isnt that the truth!!

Ok, in the Twin Cities…particularly East side St. Paul there are quite a few Hmong amongst us. Very different culture they came from and a fish diet was/is still a significant part of their world. Perhaps no they do not rely solely on fish they catch for sustenance however they are not in the “society” of sports team season ticket holders and shopping at Lund’s and Byerly’s. Just saying not to make all judgements until you’ve walked in all sizes of shoes.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

Ok, in the Twin Cities…particularly East side St. Paul there are quite a few Hmong amongst us. Very different culture they came from and a fish diet was/is still a significant part of their world. Perhaps no they do not rely solely on fish they catch for sustenance however they are not in the “society” of sports team season ticket holders and shopping at Lund’s and Byerly’s. Just saying not to make all judgements until you’ve walked in all sizes of shoes.

Yeah Ok, good point.. Who needs slot/possession limits anyway

Absolutely not, although I joke to my wife I need to fish to feed the family.
When it comes down to it everyone has some way to make money. It may not be something you want to do, but there is always a way for anyone who wants to make money to do so.
If anyone is fishing for survival it’s because thats the way they choose to live there life.
I’ve experienced the Hmong at my local lake. They are always respectful and nice people. I don’t know much about there culture, but if they can afford to drive the 2 hours down I35 in there fairly new vehicle and pull out there gas auger flasher and thermal ice tent ide say they are doing well enough not to “need to fish to survive”.

I myself fish a lot and keep plenty for my family and friends. I fish for the enjoyment of fishing and the enjoyment of eating some of what I catch.

For many years now I have kept very few fish. To the point of of maybe only getting a fish meal once or twice a year. Catching fish was all for the enjoyment of catching fish. Now since last fall Ive been trying to eat healthier and fish is back on the menu. Been trying to get in one or two fish meals a week now. Not a chance any fish limits need to be changed for me to do this. One pike, couple of walleyes or maybe a half dozen pan fish easily has this covered. Not to hard to see that maybe some folks that dont get out very often or are trying to feed larger families may want higher limits. But then again there is a large variety of fish at the store at all types of price levels to supplement a fish meal.

You know funny/sad story!

During the recession my parents would take rides every night around the country side and there was a creek that ran between two lakes, well ever night there was a guy fishing there, my parents stopped and asked him why he is always fishing there and they guy said I lost my job so I need to find a way to feed my family.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

Ok, in the Twin Cities…particularly East side St. Paul there are quite a few Hmong amongst us. Very different culture they came from and a fish diet was/is still a significant part of their world. Perhaps no they do not rely solely on fish they catch for sustenance however they are not in the “society” of sports team season ticket holders and shopping at Lund’s and Byerly’s. Just saying not to make all judgements until you’ve walked in all sizes of shoes.

Ever been to an Asian market, specialty grocery store? There are plenty of frozen whole fish there for sale in large bins.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

Ok, in the Twin Cities…particularly East side St. Paul there are quite a few Hmong amongst us. Very different culture they came from and a fish diet was/is still a significant part of their world. Perhaps no they do not rely solely on fish they catch for sustenance however they are not in the “society” of sports team season ticket holders and shopping at Lund’s and Byerly’s. Just saying not to make all judgements until you’ve walked in all sizes of shoes.

That comment deserves a lot of respect.

Kyhl wrote:

Ever been to an Asian market, specialty grocery store? There are plenty of frozen whole fish there for sale in large bins.

Part of the point also is that their culture also includes catching the fish for themselves. Self reliance.

They also take big numbers of small and stunted panfish which the dnr is suggesting that we remove anyway.

To the Hmong back in their homelands red meat was a scarce and a very special treat and as Gill says, food is a big part of their culture. So going out and catching fish was and still is a big deal.

A big difference is that they can make a meal out of a carp and don’t have a cultural aversion to it like we do. They will take what is available and make a good meal out of it.

Damn, now I have a hankering for a papaya salad.

Lots of road kill deer out there to be picked up. Just make sure you get a permit. I knew of a family down on their luck that made it through a winter on those.
DT

definitely not for survival. could buy a lot of fish sticks selling some of my equipment. Honestly when we’ve been lucky enough to keep a limit it isn’t always a certain were going to keep a whole limit. Kind of makes a guy feel guilty when you see how slow it can get quick. To each his own as long as its between the lines of the law. Sunday fish frys are the best meals in my mind.

I fish so that I maintain sanity. So yes, I fish to live.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

Ok, in the Twin Cities…particularly East side St. Paul there are quite a few Hmong amongst us. Very different culture they came from and a fish diet was/is still a significant part of their world. Perhaps no they do not rely solely on fish they catch for sustenance however they are not in the “society” of sports team season ticket holders and shopping at Lund’s and Byerly’s. Just saying not to make all judgements until you’ve walked in all sizes of shoes.

This will drive stocking decisions for years to come. Especially here in the metro. Sad to say, but one of my favorite local walleye lakes will be making a big change here soon.

http://www.news.dnr.state.mn.us/2016/08/11/18305/

News Release
DNR increases efforts to provide white bass angling in metro

August 11, 2016

Only a few inches in length, the slender flashes of silver eased slowly over the rim of a plastic tub immersed in Lake Phalen, then darted off through the water, unaware of the expectations surrounding them on a warm summer morning. A few years from now, though, if those expectations are realized, St. Paul anglers may be enjoying a significant new angling opportunity.

Earlier this summer, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources released about 5,000 fingerling white bass into Phalen in hopes they will grow to catchable size and start to establish a naturally reproducing population. While white bass are looked down on by some Minnesota anglers, many people of southeast Asian heritage consider them a tasty treat that resembles a white fish found in northern Laos.

“This got started because a major stakeholder in the metro region wanted more opportunities to catch fish similar to ones they found in the old country,” said DNR’s east metro Fishing in the Neighborhood (FiN) Coordinator Tim Ohmann. “But we’re hoping that others will find out just how much fun white bass can be to catch, and that they’re pretty good in the frying pan, too.”

In 2007, the Capitol Sportsmen’s chapter of the Minnesota Deer Hunters Association, a mostly southeast Asian group, asked DNR to consider efforts to provide more opportunities for anglers seeking white bass. White bass are native to Minnesota waters, but they’re mostly found in rivers, where contaminant levels tend to run higher and shore-fishing opportunities are limited.

The DNR’s east metro FiN program started exploring options for stocking white bass in local lakes, but quickly ran into problems finding a place to draw the fish from, because many of the source waters were infested with invasive species such as zebra mussels. In the winter of 2014, the crew tried working with a commercial fisherman on Big Stone Lake at the headwaters of the Minnesota River to get adult white bass for stocking in the metro, but the fish didn’t fare well in the nets.

DNR staff also considered raising the fish themselves. While the St. Paul field station has ample experience hatching and rearing walleye and muskies, white bass eggs are much smaller and present unique challenges that would have posed a steep learning curve. Fortunately, a private fish breeder that has provided FiN with catfish for stocking also had experience raising white bass. Phalen was chosen because it’s part of a chain of six lakes with varying water depths, all located in a regional park with three fishing piers as well as other shore-fishing opportunities, boat access, parking and other amenities. And the flow of water between the lakes should provide good spawning conditions for natural reproduction.

DNR plans to follow the initial stocking of the 5,000 fingerlings this summer with annual stocking for several years, assuming funds can be found. The hope is that would provide sufficient stock for the fish to create a naturally reproducing, self-sustaining population.

“This is just the start,” Ohmann said. “A few years from now –who knows? That four-pound, two-ounce state record white bass – maybe it’ll be surpassed by one from Phalen.”

-J.

“This will drive stocking decisions for years to come. Especially here in the metro. Sad to say, but one of my favorite local walleye lakes will be making a big change here soon. ”

Jon, when you say “Sad to say, but one of my favorite local walleye lakes will be making a big change here soon” are you thinking that the white bass population may ruin the walleye fishing in Phalen? Just curious, I know nothing about white bass.

Around here, when the Amish show up for the spring crappie spawn, every man, woman and child in the family has a fish pole and bucket,,,,,, and is using it.

has anyone on here ate white bass. Growing up all ive ever heard of regarding smallmouth and largemouth is them having worms. Have only always kept walleye, northern, sunfish, perch, and crappie.

slipbob_nick wrote:

Growing up all ive ever heard of regarding smallmouth and largemouth is them having worms.

White bass are unrelated to LM and SM bass. I’ve never eaten white bass. I have eaten LM, and I’ve never seen worms in them. I have no doubt that they can have worms, but from cool water, LM bass are tasty.

Maybe we need to regulate how many Big Macs a person can eat… ? I know I would rather eat a fish I caught and processed myself, than some farm raised thing that ate other fishes poop to survive, but that’s just me. Maybe in the long run, it is about living and surviving and not all about money. Good question though with some thought out answers and some meh….

Mississippi River White Bass are just as tastes as Mississippi River Walleyes although flakier. Between the that and the shape folks on Pool 4 have a hard time telling the difference at fish fries I’ve been to.

One item worth noting is the contaminate levels held by White Bass in the rivers. They are much higher then crappies and walleyes taken in the same waters. It baffles the DNR why they would be significantly higher when they eat basically the same food.

Either way, I don’t get a chance to eat them enough and would never turn them down.

I will say that the stocking in lakes that don’t hold this species rubs me the wrong way. Whether it’s Asian, German, Black, Yellow or Musky folks, I’m not for stocking in lakes that 1. Don’t have the fish occurring naturally. 2. Can’t support reproduction.

But that’s just me.

Oh Black TA, to answer your question I believe there are people in MN that supplement their meals with fishing, but survival? I haven’t seen it in my little world.

Brian, don’t white bass have fat growth rates too? That would seem to make the contamination even more baffling?

White bass seem to cohabitate well with other species to me. I wish we had them in more lakes like they do in the Dakota’s and WI.

TipUpFishOn wrote:

Jon, when you say “Sad to say, but one of my favorite local walleye lakes will be making a big change here soon” are you thinking that the white bass population may ruin the walleye fishing in Phalen? Just curious, I know nothing about white bass.

Yes. I believe this lake management change will end the decent walleye fishing. There is no natural walleye reproduction in this lake.

-J.

i would agree if we are talking about the population of fisherman who post on webforums and facebook.

but when i’m out fishing here locally, i’m surrounded by people who are fishing to eat. it may be fun too but the goal is basically a visit to natures grocery.

not familiar with white bass in the slightest. wouldn’t they live in different systems than walleye? not disagreeing just wondering on the thoughts that would affect walleyes negatively. to me the biggest problem a lake can get for walleyes have seen has never been stocking of a species but more of when theres a million hammerhandle northerns no one wants.