you should see the line of floating dead fish on Pepin on hot summer mornings from Stockholm to Pepin Wisc. after they pull their nets in the early morning before boat traffic picks up! 
You would be suprised sometimes….
These pictures are disturbing. I don’t know how the commercial fishing process works but when you look at the big picture they may benefit our fishery. They take tons of rough fish out of the river. One measure of a fishery is its carrying capacity. I don’t know it for fact, but if there are less rough fish there may be more room for sport fish. Let’s reserve judgment.
Tom Donaldson has had some experience at commercial fishing. Tom, what is your take?
John
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I don’t know it for fact, but if there are less rough fish there may be more room for sport fish.
Yeah, I am pretty sure that is not how it works… 
Then how exactly does it work Ralph?
I’m curious. 
The dnr has regulations in place to minimize fish loss. However you will always have a small percentage of lost fish. There is no way of knowing how many of those fish died in the net. Obviously some died in net do to other fish and the struggle and other things its unavoidable.
Also when you pull these nets you also get a lot of already dead fish being that it is winter and fish do die of other causes. Losses are supposed to be recorded.
You also have to inform the dnr when you are making a haul and where the fish are penned so I am sure the dnr know exactly whos nets those are.
I vote pass it to the warden and see their official position
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What is that netting for, commercial fishing?
This question is answered near the end of the video.
Don’t withold too much. Pool 18 had become one of the best pools here in the “southern” climes due to the slot limit being put in place–every year it got a little better. In ’05, commercial nets showed up in November/December–I personally counted 32 of them within 1/2 mile of the dam. The walleye fishing was awful, and stayed that way. It’s only been this past year that it’s beginning to show some solid comeback. That year, the commercial guys were astounded that we weren’t doing well–they couldn’t believe it, because the fish were there; they were telling us about all the 4, 6, 8lb+ walleye that were coming up in their nets. After many complaints, the DNR finally did show up to check out the situation and determined the netters to be within the law. I questioned them(DNR) about the mortality rates on non-target species(i.e walleye) that spent time hung up in nets before being drug out of the water and piled into the boat still in the net to be carted to shore so the netters could empty them on dry ground.(The ones who truly were “immediately releasing all game fish” bounced about every third one off the gunwale of the boat on the way back to the water). The DNR couldn’t answer–not their fault–it’s just simply that there wasn’t any scientific data available to say “really high” or “not too bad”. I don’t know either, but it can’t be nearly as low as it should be—I just know that that particular pool went in the can for several years. Sorry, but yes, I’m still steamed about it. It may have been legal, but it isn’t right and the laws are outdated. It’s not personal against the commercial fisherman either–it’s just that there has to be a better way…I just don’t know what it is, short of an outright ban.
Someone has to make sure that they update us on the outcome. Is anyone going to send this to the DNR? I don’t have any connections, but I will find one if needed. I am not passing judgement yet, but I really would LOVE to hear what the explanation is. I think everyone would. Have to look out for the resources….or it will just be passed off as no big deal. At least get an answer.
I have a hard time believing a pool can go in the can because of commercial fishing because of history. There are a ton of factors that can make a pool die off other than commercial fishing.
Just trying to look at the whole picture, of course no one likes to see a string of dead fish laying on the river floor whether it be along a commercial operation, chemical spill or just winter kill. Just thinking to myself, back in the day commercial fishing use to be a lot more popular than it is now and there still seems to be plenty of fish to go around. There were at least 3 times as many commercial operations back in the day that have now died off because no one wanted to take over the work, or they went belly up.
I have to believe with the history of commercial fishing, and there still being an awesome fishery on the river system, the DNR has some idea of what the kill rate is and has it figured into the equation of the ecosystem.
So now you get a government organization to try and put stricter regulations on these guys, or band them. Who will be picking up the cost of more commercial fisherman going out of business/un-employed or, the cost hike that is always included with changes in regulations?
Just my 2 fish bucks worth.
Why are all the dead fish around the net????
Shouldn’t they be in the net???
Remember Everybody
The Wisconsin DNR is being run by Attorneys now. 
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I have a hard time believing a pool can go in the can because of commercial fishing because of history. There are a ton of factors that can make a pool die off other than commercial fishing.
Just trying to look at the whole picture, of course no one likes to see a string of dead fish laying on the river floor whether it be along a commercial operation, chemical spill or just winter kill. Just thinking to myself, back in the day commercial fishing use to be a lot more popular than it is now and there still seems to be plenty of fish to go around. There were at least 3 times as many commercial operations back in the day that have now died off because no one wanted to take over the work, or they went belly up.
I have to believe with the history of commercial fishing, and there still being an awesome fishery on the river system, the DNR has some idea of what the kill rate is and has it figured into the equation of the ecosystem.
So now you get a government organization to try and put stricter regulations on these guys, or band them. Who will be picking up the cost of more commercial fisherman going out of business/un-employed or, the cost hike that is always included with changes in regulations?
Just my 2 fish bucks worth.
You don’t have to pick up the cost, you allow those who have a permit to net to continue to do so, you allow no new permits to be sold and the commerical fishing on the river eventually dies out and or goes some where else.
That would include the indians too imho.
Then when the fish population gets back to where it used to be, you allow only restricted netting
Al..who doubts the DNR can or is going to do much
im with you bret. Guys are just trying to make living. We harvest the game fish . What if they said no more heaters no more ice shelters no more electronics?The vidio was sad.so is a picture of a winter perch full of spawn. Whats your point.I do best cleaning my own house.if the neighbors need help they can ask 
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I’ll guarantee this doesn’t get half the attention it would had there been a bass tournament that weekend…
You hit the nail right on the head Slop…..we are all are worst enemy 
Allen, your last 3 sentences have to be about the dumbest thing I’ve read for a while. This is an industry/livelyhood that the sportfishermen can’t afford to lose. Once it’s gone it’s gone. You have no idea what the cost is to get into comm. fishing and stay in it.
While I don’t like what is shown in the video either, it’s a fact of life on the river.
I would suggest to those of you who are really all that concerned to find out who the nets belong to, contact them and ask if you can hitch a ride with them when they go out to set AND run the nets. Ask questions. Ask if you can help, they can always use an extra set of hands. Observe and learn things are the way they are.
In other words, try to educate yourself before passing judgement.
True That Herb, but you forgot to warn anyone that wants to help how much hand lotion they are going to go through trying to get there skin healed up after a day working on a commercial setup.
It might not be Deadliest Catch but you are going to be hurtin’ after the first day.
Better yet, do it on the pools which are froze over!
This is a way of life, not a recreation 
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Allen, your last 3 sentences have to be about the dumbest thing I’ve read for a while.
No need to get nasty.
Even if you don’t agree with what he said.
I had a few more thoughts on the carrying capacity of a body of water. My first thoughts were about adult fish…the size we catch and would be affected by netting. What is probably more important is competition for the base of the system…the plankton. Sport fish fry and the baitfish might be impacted by the balance. That’s the main concern with the asian carp.
John
So are they gill nets? If not, I don’t understand the high mortality other than possibly stress. These are just holding pens, no?
what a waste man , what a shame the dnr should be ashamed of letting this crap go on , dont they have rivers in new york to get there own fish ? 
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what a waste man , what a shame the dnr should be ashamed of letting this crap go on , dont they have rivers in new york to get there own fish ?
They sure do. Here’s one from the Hudson.
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Allen, your last 3 sentences have to be about the dumbest thing I’ve read for a while. This is an industry/livelyhood that the sportfishermen can’t afford to lose. Once it’s gone it’s gone. You have no idea what the cost is to get into comm. fishing and stay in it.
While I don’t like what is shown in the video either, it’s a fact of life on the river.
I would suggest to those of you who are really all that concerned to find out who the nets belong to, contact them and ask if you can hitch a ride with them when they go out to set AND run the nets. Ask questions. Ask if you can help, they can always use an extra set of hands. Observe and learn things are the way they are.
In other words, try to educate yourself before passing judgement.
Let me guess you or someone you know nets…
I’ll just say the post was made about netting and by removing it there would be a loss of income.
I offered a solution to it, don’t agree fine, but it had nothing to do with how hard comm fishing was, the cost, or whether we can lose it or not..
Maybe reread and try again this time stay on subject before you spout insults.
Al…who has educated himself…you??
Since my name was brought into this, I feel compelled to reply.
My experience with seine hauls is limited. When we pulled a seine, the fish were loaded that day or the very next. As alluded to, the gamefish weren’t always treated the way we’d treat them when we’re fishing with a rod & reel. This is a business and gamefish aren’t part of it. That’s NOT to say they were abused to the point where it caused death. They were simply tossed back into the water, no matter what the size. Believe me I’ve seen some tanker sized fish in a seine.
Personally, I feel those gamefish(if any) inside the nets are the responsibility of the people who own the net. Will those people suffer any fines or penalties? Only if enough people make a stink. I know a few guys who’ve lost their comm. fishing lic. because of gamefish waste. Not always does the DNR turn a blind eye….
As Herb said,
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While I don’t like what is shown in the video either, it’s a fact of life on the river.
This couldn’t be closer to the truth. The water’s wet, the sky’s blue and people kill fish. If they weren’t a renewable resource, then I believe we’d see tighter guidelines on commercial fishing.
You may not like what people “in the know” on this subject have to say, but it’s a fact of life. Fish do die from this type of fishing. If you want any kind of validation to death caused by comm. fishing, turn on ‘Deadliest Catch’ and in the background. Not all those little crab make it back into the ocean alive.
I understand there are factors un controled in commercial fishing. That is not the problem it is throwing the fish back in th ewater and WANTON waste. I am sure it could be ground up for cat food or something. Nothing is wasted on large netting ships it is all used.
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BK
Very sad to view so many game fish dead. Does anyone know what caused these fish to die? In the video only one shad was seen alive, was there any other live fish seen?
I’m not about to guess as to how they died. The only other living thing on the video was what looked like a leech swimming towards the camera in the upper center of the video.
Cedar Mike took the words out of my mouth. I know all the fish in the nets are going to die. I am wondering as the rest of us are as to why they are outside of the net.
Channel 5 KSTP has been interviewing folk since this early afternoon. Maybe the 10 pm news will shed some light on this.
I forgot about the stills I had on my camera. This is of fish in the nets.
Man I sure dislike those nets, I have had too many crankbaits get caught up in umarked ones at Maiden Rock while trollin the flats.
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Channel 5 KSTP has been interviewing folk since this early afternoon. Maybe the 10 pm news will shed some light on this.
She had to do the Toyota story tonight…expect it tomorrow.
The net you see hanging there is a sien. How long those fish have been in there I have no idea. But I would have to say the fisherman was most likely waiting for a truck to come. And some times those trucks just don’t get there when expected. Sheephead, walleye and sauger will stress out quite easlily. and this looks like quite a net full of fish. Most nets around here or so it had been when I was fishing that you had to have a name tag on your net.
What about the law about returning rough fish to the water?
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