From Nick:
Thanks to everyone that showed up for the Border Water Regulations Meeting in Red Wing last night.
We appreciate the information we were able to gather and all the questions.
Tonight the second meeting will be held in Wabasha, MN (info below)
(Tuesday, May 15, 6:00-9:00 PM at Wabasha-Kellogg High School, 2113 Hiawatha Drive, Wabasha, Minn.)
We look forward to hearing from everyone.
Thanks,
Nick
Nick Schlesser Large Lake Specialist (Lake Pepin) Minnesota Department of Natural Resources 1801 S. Oak Street Lake City, MN 55041 651-345-3365 x235 [email protected]
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Here’s a brief summery of my opinion from last nights meeting.
First off, this isn’t a download of DNR stats. Completely opposite!
I think the “Great Pumpkin”, (think shirt color) Jordan Weeks of the Wi DNR said it best…(Paraphrased)
“The direction we have been given is to find out what the public wants and if the biology supports it, make it happen”
We had wireless voting controls. This allowed us to answer questions and see the results of the room immediately.
There were questions covering
Bass
Panfish
Catfish
Pike
Walleye Sauger about 75 questions in all.
Each question said “In your opinion“. Right or Wrong doesn’t matter. They are looking for the public’s perception.
Generally speaking I was very surprised on how conservative the room was.
I didn’t even need to give my 1.5 hour, prepared speech on the overly excessive catfish bag limits on the WI side!
These results will be combined with the results from the other meetings. Then the two DNR’s will sit down and hammer out how they can make the public desires happen. Nothing will change for a minimum of two years. It just takes that long to go collect the info and go through the system (for public input on the recommended changes if any).
Kevin Stauffer and team has always been a great source of info at the Lake City office.
Jordan Weeks from the WI DNR is a breath of fresh air to the table. He’s going to be the head of Fisheries in WI someday. Yes, I predicted it here first.
I’m very happy to see these two fellas and their teams coming together for a common goal in cleaning up the mess of bag limits on the MN/WI border waters. Since some of these rules haven’t been looked at in over 60 years, I think I can say this is a lifetime event and I truly hope more folks participate in the next meetings.
Attachments:
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