Doug Smith’s article in todays Star Trib states the catch rate for 2003 was the lowest on record. Only 66,000 pounds were harvested.Its the lowest harvest on record and the DNR has been keeping track since the 1960’s. Thats 376,000 pounds short of our quota. The tribe was also about 30,000 short of quota. The DNR may consider opening up the slots for 2004. The article stated we should know by February.
I would bet we will definitely see a wider slot for 2004. 
No kidding? The lake could use a wider slot, no doubts there, but I was under the impression that the DNR was working off a “5 year plan” that was not to be deviated from. Interesting… keep us posted Derek or anyone else that has any further info about this subject.
The article did mention that but it seems the resorts and anglers have been tooting the horn already. With a poor catch rate like that, I think the DNR feels something needs to open up for next year considering the resorts have lost some business in the past few years and with the economy on the rise, what perfect timing. 
Derek. Just read that article as well. I know the slot fish were hard to come by but I didn’t realize how bad it really was. It sure would be nice to take a fish once in awhile. I can’t even remember the last time I had Mille Lacs walleye on the table. Out of the many Walleye I caught last year I can count on one hand the number of slots fish I caught. Great fishery indeed but it seems that things are out of balance. I wouldn’t mind seeing the top end of the slot raised from 28″ to 30″ either.
The current slot is under 17″ and 1 over 28″s, 4 fish limit.
What does everyone think is an acceptable slot?
I personally would prefer the DNR leaves it alone, but I have always had questions about their funny science of quota establishing.
The fish between 17″ and 18″s should be slim to none if last years catch rate of 16-17″ fish is any measure, so expanding the current slot seems senseless.
How about 1 fish between 20″ and 23″s?
This racks up poundage quicker, but this seems to be the largest group of fish in the lake currently. My suggestion would be to wait until July to open it up, fishing pressure is less and the bite slows by then. I know messing with the slot mid season is a pain but most are familiar with changing slots on Mille Lacs now, so what the heck.
As far as the top side goes, 1 over 28″ is fine, the lake in my opinion does not hold that many fish over 30″s and never will.
Here is a link to the story from startribune.com
Outdoors Almanac: Fishing on Mille Lacs
I think we need to be carefull when we talk about catch rates and harvest rates. The fishing on Mille Lacs was great last year. But the harvest rates have been down for at least the last 5 years. I have to assume the harvest number the DNR used did not include projected mortality, but rather more concrete numbers dirived from actual creel surveys.
Jon J.
I would like to see 16-20 with one over 20 and limit stay at 4.
Is that too greedy?
Derek,
I believe that would rack up to many lbs. to fast in May and June, sending the DNR and tribes into a panic. If they waited to open it up it would make a big difference.
I agree, the one over 20 would be too many pounds. However, I would like to see a plan that would thin the heard of 24-28 inch fish out there…thin, not wipe it out! It’s possible that catch and release fishing is taking care of that problem anyway???
A 16-20 inch slot will likely increase the harvest, but it’s still pounding away at a class of fish that is low in numbers already. I could not believe the number of small fish (sub 14 inch) in the gut buckets last year so I’m in favor of a minimum for sure. A 15-20 slot would make more sense than the current 0-17 harvest slot we have now.
Jon J.
Ok, how about no slot at all and 6 fish limit for June 10th and 11th only. 
I second that!!!
I like the way you think, an all out “wambamthankyoumam”! 
What do you think, nothing under 26″s?
There you go talking tourny season already and the Schedules are still coming out!
I know, and its only the first day of winter. 
Yes………this may be the 1st day of winter………..but the days are going to start getting longer from here until June! It takes awhile for the effects to establish but understand, that sun’s working on “summer” from this day forward! 
Does that mean I can stop taking Prozac now?
One thing that is for sure… I have learned to ignore the time frames put on Mille Lacs Slots. If they scrap the current five year plan, it would be at least the second time where they have had multi-year plans in place, then scrapped it after a knee jerk reaction to an abnormal summer.
It is getting to the point where it only matters to check 15 minutes before you head out. Anything else will get changed before you get there anyway.
After the 14-16 inch slot during the bite of the century, then an expansion to anything under 17″ this past summer, there can’t be many 16-18″ fish left in the lake next summer.
The DNR is using a 5 year plan and originally they had no intension of changing the regulation in that time, thinking it will balance out over the years but a few things have happened.
One, they found out that hardly any fish die of hooking mortality so those mortality rates they had been using are falsely high.
Second, they realize with the numbers of big fish in the lake they are not harvesting enough pounds of fish and it will be almost impossible to reach they safe harvest level unless they open it up to a year class that actually exists in the lake (little sarcasm there!!)
With that said, there is a good class of 19 inch fish. If they some how allowed the harvest of some of these they could catch up fast. I still think a limit of 4 fish with one over 19 like LOW has can work.
We did get a 9 inch, and two 11 inch walleye this year so there are a few little guys in there. But, the lake is dominated by big fish right now, no secret there. My only fear is when all these big fish get to that ripe old age, who will replace them. I am not sure the lake is “balanced” to well yet.
I would like them to find a way to allow one fish over 20″ to fit into the daily limit. The lake has a ton of fish in the 20-25 inch range. I really wonder if they will change the slot from their 5 year plan?
How about a 4 fish limit with 1 over 20″?
My guess is any reg that allowed a “one over 20 inch” provision would see the state over pounds in a heart beat and the tribes in an uproar shortly there after. I will be very curious to see what changes, if any, are made and how the state hopes to open things up without opening a can of worms with the indians and the courts. Remember…. we nearly lost a fall of fishing when the state nearly buckled under pressure from the tribes to close the season. All it would take is one spring with fishing success rates running about half of what they were a couple years ago and we’d be over lb’s in weeks if every angler had the option to keep an over 20″ fish.
I guess all I’m trying to say in my wordy way is that opening up the slot a bit sounds good, even to me a guy that usually opts to release everything anyway, BUT I’m worried we might be walking right into a poo storm by doing so.
I am VERY glad I’m not in the DNR’s position or saddled with any part of making this descision.
You are right James, about the harvesting fish over 20″. The only way that would be possible is go to a two fish limit and then you would still rack up the pounds fast.
I think winter and summer could be managed differently. A blanket regulation will only work if they error on the side of caution, which is what they are doing currently.
A 4 fish limit with one over 20 would lead to the harvest of to many fish in spring, but would work over the winter months.
They may just end up increasing that 17″ mark some, which wouldn’t do a whole lot, except for the month following opener. Those fish under 19 inches have been worked very hard the last few years. Just take a look at past slots. They seem to target the same year class of fish.
The trend to me looks like we may be dealing with these baitfish booms for quite some time now. If this does happen, we may not quickly exceed the harvest in May or June. I’m going off of data which I hope the DNR is too, from back in 1991(when there was no slot) when we set a record harvest only to have poor harvest the following year. Kinda like what happened this year. The lake runs in cycles. Spring time weather conditions will play a huge factor on proceeding bait populations.
But if we are 360,000 some pounds under our quota can we be safe to say we can add that to our 455,000 pounds for 2004? If that is possible, we should have a good idea by July if changes need to be made. I’m all for 3 and 5 year plans, but you can sure bet if we kept seeing a great bite a reaching or exceeding our harvest, the tribe would be coming down hard on the DNR to rid itself of a long term plan.
I think you will see the advisory board and resorters will make some noise at the meetings this year.
The frustrating thing is that a “one over 20″” reg or something similar is likely very appropriate for this body of water BUT the DNR has the monster of a court descision looming over the shoulders at every turn. Too many pounds and the tribes take us to court. Too few pounds and the anglers and resorters are unhappy. The fact or the matter is the DNR is forced to regulate a fishery based first and foremost by a court descision that sets limits on the quantity of fish that may be taken. I’m not sure an appropriate job of management based on sound biology and understanding of this fishery can be done. And the DNR is NOT to blame. Honestly, what can they do and toe the line? Basically what they’ve been doing.
Who is to blame? We are. Each and every one of us, over the span of a handful of generations. We’ve allowed liberal judges and politicians to be elected that have basically given away our lands, erasing any trueness of equality that was carefully written into the fabric of this country.
Liberty, justice and equality for all just don’t mean what they used to. All you need to be is “not of the majority” and chances are you can get some special treatment.
This eroding of level playing field, if anything, will be the death of this country as an infinite number of entitled groups pull this country apart from the inside out.
Our discussion of the slot on Mille Lacs is just a symptom of a much larger issue I’m afraid.
I don’t believe the court descision allows for us to “bank” pounds. If this is not the case, I guess I’d like to here about it.
Quote:
The trend to me looks like we may be dealing with these baitfish booms for quite some time now. If this does happen, we may not quickly exceed the harvest in May or June. I’m going off of data which I hope the DNR is too, from back in 1991(when there was no slot) when we set a record harvest only to have poor harvest the following year. Kinda like what happened this year. The lake runs in cycles. Spring time weather conditions will play a huge factor on proceeding bait populations.
But if we are 360,000 some pounds under our quota can we be safe to say we can add that to our 455,000 pounds for 2004? If that is possible, we should have a good idea by July if changes need to be made. I’m all for 3 and 5 year plans, but you can sure bet if we kept seeing a great bite a reaching or exceeding our harvest, the tribe would be coming down hard on the DNR to rid itself of a long term plan.
I think you will see the advisory board and resorters will make some noise at the meetings this year.
Thats what I’m wondering myself. I was under the assumption the court ruling only stated we need to split the harvest with the tribe and that the DNR and tribe would set the standards. It will be interesting to see how it plays out. I sure wouldnt want that job either. Course if I did have that job 
And you are correct James on who’s to blame.
All this could have been avoided 14 years ago when the tribe asked the state for 1.5 million dollars. In return they would give up all fishing and hunting rights. The legislature shot it down and Lyle Berman came to the rescue and built the casino. Since then, PERM and the state have spent more than 1.5 million alone in legal fees.
to boost the Resort $ and Guide $ what about them applying for a permit to allow customers their 1 fish over 20″..Each Resort and Guide would have the fish cleaned and packaged with their stamp on it for authentication..
ok I’ll go back to the river side !!lol
I proposed a $10 walleye stamp to the DNR two years ago and they shot it down. 
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