The differences a year can make…

  • James Holst
    Keymaster
    SE Minnesota
    Posts: 18926
    August 1, 2003 at 4:20 pm #1286401

    Hey guys,

    I just received an e-mail that surprised me. A gentlemen asked me for some suggestions on alternatives to fishing Mille Lacs this fall. He’s not apposed to the regulations and tossing fish back, more upset with the conditions of the fish he caught last season… and his anticipation that the health of the fish are still in question after last year’s low baitfish populations early in the season.

    I assured him that from what I saw last fall and from what I’ve read this summer to date would lead me to believe there’s PLENTY of food to go around and that the fish are fat and healthy. But I’ve not been up there myself yet this year so I’m looking for some opinions from those that regularly fish the lake.

    Do the baifish populations seems to be “back to normal?”

    Are the walleyes carrying a normal body mass?

    Any short-term predictions regarding the quality of fishing through this fall?

    Thanks much guys. I’ll forward the link to this post on to the original e-mailer.

    hooks
    Crystal, Mn.
    Posts: 1268
    August 1, 2003 at 4:53 pm #272217

    The fish for the most part have returned to a healthy state. All fish currently being caught are ranging from 20″-27″s for us. We have seen a few skinny fish, but these fish are either sick, damaged(gill net wounds) or possibly at the end of their life expectancies,some of the big 27″ and larger fish I’ve seen are on the thin side, so my thought is they may be on the downward slide of life. Don’t get me wrong, there are lots of healthy big fish too, but I’ve seen 26″ fish that weigh more than some 28s + 29s.
    The fishing this fall should be EXCELLENT!!!
    Please don’t give up on the big pond, we may have been down but were back!

    dinosaur
    South St. Paul, Mn.
    Posts: 401
    August 1, 2003 at 5:46 pm #272220

    Almost everything I have caught or had come to the boat has been in good health. There is no doubt that the food chain is plentiful and the fish have been feeding well. When these fish put on the feedbag this fall it should prove to be interesting.
    Dino

    jon_jordan
    St. Paul, Mn
    Posts: 10908
    August 1, 2003 at 6:05 pm #272225

    Do the baitfish populations seem to be “back to normal?” I think the population is above normal right now. There are clouds of bait everywhere. I’m constantly seeing schools of bait in the harbor and along the shorelines as well as on my electronics.

    Are the walleyes carrying a normal body mass? I have had quite a few fish in the 24-27 inch range that were still out of proportion in my opinion. Meaning, the body looked skinny compared to the size of the head. Almost all of the 18-22 inch fish were on the fat side. So Hooks may be on the right track with the old age analysis. Every keeper fish I have cleaned was chunky!

    Any short-term predictions regarding the quality of fishing through this fall? Probably better than last year. A lot depends on the weather, of course. Hoping for a mild fall so we can keep trolling right through the November full moon.

    ted-merdan
    Posts: 1036
    August 4, 2003 at 5:34 pm #272418

    James –

    As DeeZee will attest, almost all of the fish are very healthy and look great this year. I am attaching a photo of a fat 29″ fish from the RCL League tournament as evidence.

    Tell your genteleman not to worry as the fish are as FAT as I can ever remember!

    ted

    kooty
    Keymaster
    1 hour 15 mins to the Pond
    Posts: 18101
    August 5, 2003 at 12:19 pm #272515

    Great fish Ted!! My neck now hurts from looking at it, but great photo. I like your partner too.

    JAE
    Posts: 38
    August 5, 2003 at 6:42 pm #272565

    I dont know why the person taking the picture was laying down.
    Go Payton!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

    crossin_eyes
    Lakeville, MN
    Posts: 1379
    August 5, 2003 at 7:23 pm #272571

    Hey Ted that’s a beautiful fish!
    Don’t let Waterfowler go near your dog though!!!

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