Mille lacs netting

I have a few questions.
When the tribes set their nets for walleye on mille lacs, do they only catch walleye?
If they catch more than just walleye, are some of those fish large baitfish?
If they are catching large baitfish, is that contributing to the lack of forage in the lake?

Just something I was curious about.

Gillnets aren’t selective. They kill what doesn’t get through.

They often change the size of the holes in the nets to catch larger or smaller fish. I believe Dutchboy is correct, the nets often just catch whatever. This is called “by catch.” I think they are required to count pike in their quota that they catch too.

This thread has no chance of surviving……….much like a fish in a gill net.

Dutchboy wrote:

This thread has no chance of surviving……….much like a fish in a gill net.

See what he did there???

But does anyone have an answer for questions 2&3.
How many “breeder” baitfish are caught in the nets and does it affect the forage base.

No, baitfish are not caught in the gill-nets. The squares are to large, the bait swims right through.

The negative effect on bait-fish is getting eaten. I’m not sure what causes a fluctuation in baitfish.

Small bait fish generally feed on phytoplankton and other micro organisms in the water. Zebra mussels consume this too. So essentially the very bottom of the food chain has been disrupted and it’s domino effect.

ClownColor wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Dutchboy wrote:</div>
This thread has no chance of surviving……….much like a fish in a gill net.

See what he did there???

Oh yea…
The river of knowledge continues to flow right into the septic system of life.

gimruis wrote:

Small bait fish generally feed on phytoplankton and other micro organisms in the water. Zebra mussels consume this too. So essentially the very bottom of the food chain has been disrupted and it’s domino effect.

This is likely…yes.

And after years of biologist’s suggestions also pointing to the spiny water flea…which was also scoffed by the “blame the nets” community there’s this now that was recently reported.

Seems like there could be plausible evidence pointing to a flea.

http://www.startribune.com/invasive-species-slow-walleye-growth-study-says-meaning-fewer-survive-winters/567376662/

Now, back to the Shakura Bowl…

A Tullibee or jumbo Perch could possibly end up in a gill net. Tullibee spawn in the Fall, so they are not up shallow when the nets are in the water. Perch in nets would effect baitfish populations, but I’m not sure if it’s a big factor.

When the limit for any species is reached ALL the netting is shut down.
Thus unwanted Pike MAY be dumped out on the lake rather than be brought in to the monitored landings.
White Sucker’s could possibly be large enough to get caught in the smallest mesh nets. Maybe.