I agree that the mortality study showed better results than what most of us expected. But not 100% survival. If non-stamped anglers can still fish for walleyes they are still having an impact. If they are having an impact then why not require them to buy a stamp? Well because I’m fishing for hmmm smallies today. 
Jack;
With all due respect,
I hear what you are saying and understand it fully.
I’m against the muskie stamp too.
I’m just flat out tired of paying tax on this, tax on that. Portable shelter tag, fishing license, small game license, turkey stamp, deer license, pheasant stamp, duck stamps, boat license, license this, stamp that, tax this, fee here………This state is not fiscal friendly to the angler/hunter.
It is ridiculous and there is too much “taxation/fees/stamps/license without representation or just cause”. I only see this as just another method of dumping more money into the government/DNR who can’t handle fiscally what they are responsible for now…..
I must state that I’m fully against this.
I dont think 1-3% would have a large impact on the fishery if there were a stocking program from stamp proceeds.
Gary – I agree completely.
Derek – I still think this leaves room for “cheaters”. IMO the only way to make this work would be to designate “walleye” lakes (which was mentioned in an earlier post).
I totally agree. My orginal proposal was for Mille lacs. It was an option to deal with the slot that was so tight in previous years. The lake use to boom and the economy was good before 1999. There is no way around the nets, they will never go away.
Mille Lacs is a different story. And, in that case, there we have a designated water for specific management.
However, we are generalizing the entire state waters with this subject.
GARY WELLMAN for DNR Commisioner ! ! !
GARY, you da man.
Who’s with me? Sign the petition and send it to Gov. Pawlenty.
1. Don Lincoln N. St. Paul, MN
2.
I agree with both sides of the fence here. We(anglers) as a group have a strong foot hold in this state. Somehow, we need to unite when it comes to issues like this. We need to vote for representatives who care of about our interests. Somehow, we need to unite to make our many small voices one large powerfull voice. He/She should represent all who buy a fishing license.
MN has the largest amount of BS taxes I’ve ever seen. To get the right people into the legislature would be a very large challenge. I understand it takes money to run a state and this is likely not an easy job. I just got to believe the power to change all this resides within us.
Am I the right person to lead this crusade, no. I bet someone amongst us is though!!!
If it gets to the point were we need a stamp for every fish we pursue then why not throw out all the stamps and raise the license fee? It sounds like alot (most) of the $$$ goes to the general fund anyway.
As things are going, the fisheries chief is going to institute a new plan thats called “Core of Lakes”. What this plan is going to do is allow him to selectively drop one lake after another from the stocking program until he gets the number down to those lakes that will fit his budget.
I would think that all you guys in the southern half of the state would be the most supportive of this stamp idea, because if this “Core of Lakes” plan goes into effect, it will effect the southern half of the state the most, because your lakes don’t fit into the “model” for continued stocking.
As for the issue of mortality studies. Those were conducted on Mille Lacs as part of the 1837 Treaty Managment Plan. Totally different issue.
Quote:
I would think that all you guys in the southern half of the state would be the most supportive of this stamp idea, because if this “Core of Lakes” plan goes into effect, it will effect the southern half of the state the most, because your lakes don’t fit into the “model” for continued stocking.
Because a million (or whatever the number is) people don’t fish for bass. If they quit stocking, many of the southern Minn lakes would be fished out in one or two seasons and turned into carp sloughs. 
My comment was meant to be a little tounge in cheek. Didn’t mean to raise any hairs. I agree that it would be a bad deal for us southerners, I would suspect the DNR would get the same response as I did (only 1 million times over). 
During this dicussion several of you used complaints related to the pheasant issues, as well as other fees. Last year there was a change in the mgmt. style at the DNR office. This change in the wildlife area was done as result of hunters calling and expressing there opinions to John Gunther.If I`m not mistaken during the reorganizing, the person who many outdoorsman had issues with was removed to a different area.I was told his attitude was combative- or as they say- My way or the Highway! I would expect an easier attitude with Dave Schad in charge of that area.
Good Job! John Gunther on making that decision. Let`s watch bird hunting grow.
Fisherman we as a group have to stand up like the hunters have done and get this fisheries dept. attitude staighten out. These guys aren`t the kings of the lakes. Don`t forget they work for us the people who buy licenses in this state.
We have to realize just because groups such as the bass guys or the muskie guys, aren`t getting a good deal, that we all still have to work together to help make a change of the attitude in the fisheries dept. The change starts at the top.
Regardless if you support this stamp idea or not, call the DNR and tell them that we need changes!!
John Gunther # 651 296 -6157
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