Night ban

Please let us know as soon as you hear anything about the potential night ban for the remainder of this open water season. I am on pins and needles. Very upsetting.

If that goes into effect, I can only characterize it as a political sellout. Has the angler quota been exceded before? Managing a lake that size is not easy – especially during a baitfish drought. The DNR announces a three year plan, nobody says boo, the quota is exceded, and now the band is threatening litigation and asking for compensation. If it is a three year plan, wouldn’t it make sense to let it play out? The validity of all that hooking mortality is another issue that I don’t intend bring up here. But, for the sake of argument, assuming the huge figures are correct – What kind of poundage could they possibly expect to save by instituting barbless hooks and a night ban at a time when the fish will be taken from cold, shallow water? I feel ill!

I could not agree with you more.

My thoughts exactly.

Here is a quote from Bill Lundeen’s weekly fishing report.
“I attended the Fisheries Input Group meeting Tuesday – in short, there was no concrete decision as to the future of the remainder of this open-water season, BUT… closing the lake looks to be off the table. “
The suspense has me a bit uneasy yet. I would like to know soon so I can schedule my fall vacation time.
Dino

I hear ya. My fall vacation days are already scheduled and I’ll skip them if the night ban happens. Everything I have heard – from “FAN outdoors” on KFAN and info on other boards describe the situation as the barbless hook and night ban plans being floated in front of the indians in hopes they avoid filing a law suit. Taking it that way, it almost sounds as if the night ban is a “best case” scenerio. Yikes. I hope I’m blowing this out of proportion. Personally for me, a fall night ban is a tougher pill to swallow than making the lake 100% catch and release.

There is a post on another website that says the night ban and barbless hooks will happen. Has anyone heard anything this week?
Dino

As I understand it, the proposal to begin a night ban and require barbless hooks is in front of the Indians right now. They will make their decision regarding the DNR proposal this week. So, if they say YES – the night ban gets instituted. If they say NO – the matter will probably go to court. A loss in court would likely make matters even worse – like shutting down the lake completely for the rest of the year and maybe beyond (my guess).

So, nothing is final yet. When a decision is made, there will likely be a press release and the mainstream media will pick it up. Something should be coming down this week from what I have heard.

If they make a reactionary decision, it is my opinion that the bands would vote for shutting it down. But from a P.R. standpoint, there is a lot for them to lose right now! If they wake up the sleeping giant which is the non-indian sporting public, they will have a war on their hands. It may be what is needed to get this thing taken care of once and for all. Who is the Band to decide whether or not to shut his lake down? The DNR has 3 years to make the numbers come out right. I believe that natural attrition will take over here shortly, and this will be a moot point. If the band votes yes to a night ban, they will be a lightning rod for everything that is yet to come. Financial diaster for the resorts that depend on this fishery, and even their own casino. I do believe however, and anyone who knows more than I do, please feel free to correct me, is that the numbers game goes from Dec. to Dec. So Dec. 1 2002 would begin a new year of this shell game of fish poundage.
Tuck

Yes Tuck, The harvest season is Jan 1st to Dec 31st…..The local papers up here around the lake have had many articles on this issue.
I would quess we should here something soon as time is the element here…..

If they go to the 10’oclock ban again, it will only give you an hour before 10 to hit the full moon coming up and maybe an hour after 6 am before the sun comes up. Thats some short trips fishing?

We’re through Thursday already and still no news. Tick tock tick tock. This is killing me (if you can’t tell that already).

Also, if there is a night ban, I’ve heard it may be dusk ’til dawn instead of the 10-6 spring type of thing.

I’m juts going to Gull or Pokegama if this happens. It stinks. It’s an outright injustice that this is even a possibility… but if it happens I’m still going fishing. Mille Lacs is good but its not the only game in town.

I’m going to Cass, LOW, or maybe even Little Bay de Noc….and I’m going to VOTE!

J.

Speaking of voting………..has anyone heard anything from any of the candidates up for election this fall on the treaty issues?I know some of the candidates up for the Gov were at the Game Fair a few weeks ago but was unable to attend.We all know where Wellstone stands ,how about Coleman?

Just want too make sure my votes go where they should.

James, if you want spectacular fishing in fall, similar if not better than Mille Lacs, Lake Ida in Alexandria is phenominal. Plenty of places to stay. Call me, and I’ll set you up. You will probably not see another boat.
Tuck

If they dont bite there a little lake called Reno is outstanding.

I’ll be on Woman Lake (near Leech) if this night ban happens. It is now Tuesday and I haven’t heard a word. Does anyone know if there was a drop-dead deadline for the indians to reply to the DNR proposal? At what point does no news become GOOD news? The glass-is-half-open part of me is thinking this thing might blow over and I’ll be cranking in the big’uns on the big pond in October. Unfortunately the logical part of me is saying “we’re screwed.” :-))

Well, just to update anyone who hasn’t heard this yet… the band rejected the night ban/barbless proposal (not restrictive enough for them) so the issue will go to arbitration. Arbitration will not take place until late October if not November some time. So… It appears the next month at least will be free of any more restrictions. Personally, the good news for me is I can plan-away regarding my October full moon vacation. For all of us… the potential bad news is the possibility of something ugly coming out of that arbitration.