Mille lacs perch

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Upnorth85 wrote:

Tribal harvests are reported to the DNR within 24 hours (often less) they are the most timely reported harvest totals in all of fisheries.
We make them publicly available out of good faith, We are not bound by public notification requirements.

Where can I see this information besides late on the DNR website which is not updated currently.

Upnorth85 wrote:

We can calculate natural perch mortality. It’s one of the goals of the new perch committee. We have a biologist that is confident he can age perch otoliths and the mathematician that will take the age class data over the last 10 years and do the analysis. After that it becomes a simple formula
Natural mortality + fishing mortality = total mortality. If it’s 40% or even a little higher we are probably fine, if it’s 50% or higher we’ve got a problem.

I find your responses interesting so each one raises a new question. If mortality is over 50 percent we have a problem. Though we can’t say it’s necessarily a harvest problem. So for instance if walleyes are starving and eating up all the perch that could also be a factor correct? This study hasn’t been done before?

I was barely around in 2022 but I believe the 73,000 pounds is based on a habitat model. It takes lake physical characteristics, size, depth, etc, incorporates temperature and nutrient (productivity) metrics, then other fish biomass estimates.
I’m no modeler, it gave two estimates 73,000 was the higher. This model isn’t perfect as it dosnt adjust year to year, only trends. Some years taking 73,000 pounds would be over harvest. This year it’s probably ok.

The normal catch at age population model suggested 21,000-40,000 pounds. That model was not adopted because we can’t test it with perch mark recapture.

Other analysis havnt been necessary until now. It takes time and often outside modeling help. We prioritize. Now we hope to have a more accurate perch quota recommendation by July

Mille Lacs will never go to the statewide regulation, none of the large lakes are. See Vermillion, Red, LOTW, Leech, Lake Superior, etc. they all have special regulations to account for the fishing pressure. Mille Lacs gets pounded.

The regs were tight af for years but if you really look, they are trending looser. The state botched last summer, none of us were happy with that, but it was adjusted and was two walleye, (tiny slot limit), 20 perch, all winter. The lake still looks healthy so Walleye will likely get looser for this summmer.

Oh and as far as managing on a 2-3 year cycle I’ve changed my mind. This lake is so dynamic I prefer to adjust quotas annually. Can you imagine trying to set netting quotas 2 years ago for what we’ve seen in 2024? Not possible.

I’m pretty sure we can differentiate between harvest and natural mortality.
I’m not sure to be honest.
If our total mortality is over 50% we would reduce our exploration rate to bring it down.
I suppose we could try to reduce perch predation by removing more walleye. In 2018 the walleye population was large, but the fish were skinny there weren’t a lot of perch around and the ones that were there probably got eaten by starving walleye.
In the case of skinny walleye I think it would be good to harvest more walleye, but that’s a little risky too. You have to be confident in your walleye population estimate, and in 2018 they wernt. It was too recent from the 2012-2014 walleye pop decline.

I meant the statewide proposed 4 fish limit on walleye. I should have clarified. I understand there will never be a six fish no regs on Mille Lacs. We can argue the affects good and bad on slot size restrictions at a later date.

Thank you for answering my questions so far.

Upnorth85 wrote:

I’m actually putting together the tribal harvest totals for the last decade now. It’s not much usually between 1000-2000 pounds.

So we are supposed to believe your numbers when you claim the tribal harvest totals are only 1,000 to 2,000 pounds???
What a crock of $HIT!!!

4 fish, probably not. I could see 3 with a loose slot.
Figure out how to get rid of zebra mussels and spiny water flea, rework that biomass back into plankton -> forage -> then fish biomass, hell, then we’ll talk about a 6 fish limit.

At one point during the walleye population dip zebra mussel biomass out weighed all fish in the whole lake. I’ve never seen anything like it. I came from AK we don’t have invasives up there. Not like that anyways, it’s alarming.

So we are supposed to believe your numbers when you claim the tribal harvest totals are only 1,000 to 2,000 pounds???
What a crock of $HIT!!!

Well before the drop of the harvest number so like 2021 it was under 1000 lbs. 2021 was just over 100lbs. 2020 was 13 lbs. yes 13.

From 48 hours before we open netting to 24 hours after I spend every possible minute at the landings. Often all night, I have 6 staff and 7 game wardens that help monitor our tribes harvest. I meet the boats at the dock, help unload the bins, pick the nets, sometimes I go right out in the boat to monitor.
Last year I checked in 4 perch. 4.
Our tribe simply dosnt harvest many perch. So when I see tribal totals from the other bands and landings totaling 1-2000 pounds, yeah it makes total sense.
I was down there 2 weeks ago. A band member wanted to teach himself how to set a net under the ice. He caught zero perch. Zero.
Another one of the reasons we arnt super worried about anglers going over their 36,500 pound quota.

Oh boy the question I want to ask now

Upnorth85 wrote:

From 48 hours before we open netting to 24 hours after I spend every possible minute at the landings. Often all night, I have 6 staff and 7 game wardens that help monitor our tribes harvest. I meet the boats at the dock, help unload the bins, pick the nets, sometimes I go right out in the boat to monitor.
Last year I checked in 4 perch. 4.
Our tribe simply dosnt harvest many perch. So when I see tribal totals from the other bands and landings totaling 1-2000 pounds, yeah it makes total sense.
I was down there 2 weeks ago. A band member wanted to teach himself how to set a net under the ice. He caught zero perch. Zero.
Another one of the reasons we arnt super worried about anglers going over their 36,500 pound quota.

Our tribe? Which tribe are you speaking for? It was my understanding that they’re multiple tribes from Wisconsin who net, as well as the mille lacs band.

Nets dont discriminate so your nets must be ones that have larger openings allowing the perch to swim through?

Grubson, There are 8 tribes that are signatories of the 1837 treaty. The Mille Lacs Band has the largest quota. Which specific tribe I work for is for me to know.

CaptainMusky, yeah our nets are designed to catch 16 – 19″ walleye. They do get some perch but not many. I don’t know of any Band members that own a smaller net designed to catch perch. I have some, but I’d have to double check our netting regulations.

Fife wrote:

Great day out there today. It took two hours to find them, but once we did it was game on. We kept 31 between the two of us in 3 hours before we had to head home. Here are the first 10 out of one hole before we had to start bouncing around and picking a few off at a time.

this post along with the livescope in the background is a great example of FFS’s impact on fish harvest

So I’m confused when this regulation actually went into place? This picture was posted online yesterday which looks like a sign at a landing that says March 4th. The article here says today the 11th. Guy I know was there Saturday. Got checked by a warden with well over 5 fish and warden never said a word. With how much regs change on mille lacs I wouldn’t be surprised if the warden’s can’t even keep up.

Pic wont post

How do they figure the pounds of fish taken by anglers? Some people catch limits, some none, some people keep smaller fish. They have no idea how many people are out fishing on a given day.

For that matter, how is the native catch estimated? Or is it actually weighed?

Anytime it’s just estimates, it could be way off. I’m not doubting the catch was significantly higher this year with more favorable conditions.

this post along with the livescope in the background is a great example of FFS’s impact on fish harvest

Seems like they were responsible and kept well under a limit. We can debate the limit but see nothing wrong with having a good day of fishing.

Upnorth85- I appreciate you coming in this forum and answering as many questions as you have.

Ripjiggen wrote:

m

mark-bruzek wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Upnorth85 wrote:</div>
I’m actually putting together the tribal harvest totals for the last decade now. It’s not much usually between 1000-2000 pounds.

So we are supposed to believe your numbers when you claim the tribal harvest totals are only 1,000 to 2,000 pounds???
What a crock of $HIT!!!

No need to be a d!ck. Ripjiggen engaged in a civil and interesting conversation with Upnorth85. No need to take it off the rails just because you disagree with the information provided. Go play on Facebook or X.

Ripjiggen wrote:

Upnorth85- I appreciate you coming in this forum and answering as many questions as you have.

100%

News release: Regulation adjustment coming for yellow perch fishing on Mille Lacs Lake
March 10, 2025

Starting March 11, the daily and possession limit for yellow perch on Mille Lacs Lake will be reduced from 20 to five. This regulation will be in place through Nov. 30.

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is implementing this adjustment to the daily and possession limit to help maintain a good perch population for the future. Yellow perch are a key species in the Mille Lacs Lake ecosystem and young yellow perch are a primary food source for predators (especially walleye). Maintaining an abundance of older perch will result in more young being produced this spring and preserve harvest opportunities for next year.

“We are pleased that the perch fishing on Mille Lacs this winter has been good for many anglers,” said Brad Parsons, Minnesota Department of Natural Resources fisheries section manager. “With annual perch harvest never more than 7,000 pounds since 2012, this year’s rebound is a positive sign for the health of the lake.”

State-licensed anglers share the perch harvest on Mille Lacs with Ojibwe Tribes that retain fishing rights by treaty. To conserve the fishery, an annual safe harvest level is cooperatively established by the state and the Tribes through a government-to-government, co-management process. Each party then sets fishing regulations to stay within their share of the harvest. As of Feb. 23, the state has harvested more than 43,000 pounds of perch, exceeding its share of the harvest of 36,500 pounds.

“The state and our Tribal partners will intensify efforts to evaluate the Mille Lacs perch population and future sustainable harvest plans. The response we see in the perch population to this year’s higher harvest will be an important part of that,” Parsons said.

Complete Mille Lacs Lake fishing regulations and regularly updated data on state-licensed angler catches of walleye, northern pike and yellow perch are available on the Minnesota DNR website.

TH wrote:

How do they figure the pounds of fish taken by anglers? Some people catch limits, some none, some people keep smaller fish. They have no idea how many people are out fishing on a given day.

For that matter, how is the native catch estimated? Or is it actually weighed?

Anytime it’s just estimates, it could be way off. I’m not doubting the catch was significantly higher this year with more favorable conditions.

Advanced population modeling that’s way above my pay grade. Probably yours too. There’s many factors considered, including hooking mortality. Which is a controversial item on its own.

A significant amount of information comes from creel surveyors, which comes directly from the anglers who are interviewed. I used to be one way back in 2006 (I was an intern with the DNR).

Upnorth85 wrote:

They tried 4 different methods and presented them to the full Mille Lacs Fisheries committee

Can you post these?

Recent harvest trends (decade or so) – very low quota recommendation
Statistical catch at age model – 21,000 – 40,000lbs
Surplus production model – didn’t work
Habitat Model (MEI) – 68,000 – 76,000lbs (top of my head)

Ripjiggen wrote:

Upnorth85- I appreciate you coming in this forum and answering as many questions as you have.

x3!!!!

And Mark the conversation was around perch, 1-2k pounds seems reasonable since most perch wouldn’t get caught in a net.

gim wrote:

Advanced population modeling that’s way above my pay grade. Probably yours too. There’s many factors considered, including hooking mortality. Which is a controversial item on its own.

With the increased interest in perch fishing this year with what looks to be a heavy amount focused on deeper water I would estimate that there has been a much higher hooking mortality on smaller perch and small walleyes this ice season.

Just easier forage for other species
It’s still a drop in the bucket so to speak. Like it is everywhere else that does not factor it in to the lbs for anglers.
And I am willing to bet that number the last 2 years was almost zero so yes likely an increase.

Jimmy wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Fife wrote:</div>
Great day out there today. It took two hours to find them, but once we did it was game on. We kept 31 between the two of us in 3 hours before we had to head home. Here are the first 10 out of one hole before we had to start bouncing around and picking a few off at a time.

this post along with the livescope in the background is a great example of FFS’s impact on fish harvest

It’s a tool that helps for sure, but that particular day I chased perch just like we did 15-20 years ago. Drill, drill, drill until you find them. On spot number 2, my buddy using an FL-8 had 4 on the ice before I set the auger down. In Spring perch fishing, being mobile and putting in the work has the largest impact on making it a successful day. As far as posting a picture on the internet, you are correct that it can create more pressure. I don’t think the perch bite was any secret when I made my one and only trip of the winter in March. I have never cared for the table full of fish pictures, so those were tough to see throughout the season.

It’s a tool that helps for sure, but that particular day I chased perch just like we did 15-20 years ago. Drill, drill, drill until you find them. On spot number 2, my buddy using an FL-8 had 4 on the ice before I set the auger down. In Spring perch fishing, being mobile and putting in the work has the largest impact on making it a successful day. As far as posting a picture on the internet, you are correct that it can create more pressure. I don’t think the perch bite was any secret when I made my one and only trip of the winter in March. I have never cared for the table full of fish pictures, so those were tough to see throughout the season.

You dont have to justify yourself having a good day of fishing. JMO.