NO MORE LIVE BAIT!!!!!

What is the date of the cut off?

July 7th I think

http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/fishing/millelacs.html

See Mille Lacs Regulation post at the top of this forum page.

-J.

Wonder how heavy of a Lindy sinker you’d need to drag a 8″ sucker around?

What are the chances that they will open back up due to water temp being colder than average?
0%?

0%

-J.

nhamm wrote:

Wonder how heavy of a Lindy sinker you’d need to drag a 8″ sucker around?

12 pound cannon ball and a down rigger should work…….

I know people will disagree with this but how is trolling crank baits any better for the fish? I rarely see a boat slow down when reeling in a fish so these fish get pulled in while they continue to troll at over 2mph. Seems much harder on the fish than live bait rigging. I think artificial baits and no trolling should be the rule if they really want to save on mortality.

I don’t exactly know what constitutes targeting walleye, but it also closes on the 7th. I would think trolling shad raps and similar crankbaits would be considered as targets walleye.

Walleye: Catch-and-release only from May 13 through July 6; all walleye must be immediately released. Closed July 7 through July 27; no walleye may be targeted. Catch-and-release from July 28 through September 4; all walleye must be immediately released. Closed on September 5 through November 30; no walleye may be targeted.

blank wrote:

I don’t exactly know what constitutes targeting walleye, but it also closes on the 7th. I would think trolling shad raps and similar crankbaits would be considered as targets walleye.

Walleye: Catch-and-release only from May 13 through July 6; all walleye must be immediately released. Closed July 7 through July 27; no <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleye may be targeted. Catch-and-release from July 28 through September 4; all <em class=”ido-tag-em”>walleye must be immediately released. Closed on September 5 through November 30; no walleye may be targeted.

Ah ok. That makes more sense. Thanks

If they shut it down for walleye they should shut it down for all fishing!

Barbless single hook with no live bait for all species would be my choice.

blank wrote:

I don’t exactly know what constitutes targeting walleye, but it also closes on the 7th. I would think trolling shad raps and similar crankbaits would be considered as targets walleye.

I STRONGLY disagree with this. I have caught over half my smallies this year pulling cranks over shallow rocks and I WILL continue to do so after July 7th. I have almost certainly caught more smallies with this presentation than walleyes this year.

Funny thing is smallies and walleyes eat the same thing and live in the same places. To say you can’t target walleyes but you can bass is ridiculous. That being said, if you are pulling lead core in 30′ of water and claim you are targeting small mouth might be a stretch.

Joe Scegura wrote:

I know people will disagree with this but how is trolling crank baits any better for the fish? I rarely see a boat slow down when reeling in a fish so these fish get pulled in while they continue to troll at over 2mph. Seems much harder on the fish than live bait rigging. I think artificial baits and no trolling should be the rule if they really want to save on mortality.

You are right, I do disagree with this for several reasons. I have had 100’s of walleyes come in my boat this year on crank baits and I don’t believe we killed a single one. I am going to live bait rig tomorrow for the first time this year and I can bet we will gut hook at least one fish. I know how to remove a gutted hook without killing the fish, but a lot of people live bait rigging don’t. I also don’t troll over 2mph, more like 1.5mph and most of the time we put the motor in neutral while reeling in the fish.

sticker wrote:

I have had 100’s of walleyes come in my boat this year

OH GOOD FOR YOU!!!

sticker wrote:

and I can bet we will gut hook at least one fish.

I don’t rig much either…but you know what grandpa always said…let em take it till its through the gut and out the butt!

sticker wrote:

I also don’t troll over 2mph, more like 1.5mph and most of the time we put the motor in neutral while reeling in the fish.

I agree with you Sticker. Your type of shallow trolling is probably one of the most fish friendly ways to fish. I should have been more specific. I was referring to leadcore. Pulling fish from 30′ fow at 2mph without slowing down is a problem IMO.

Joe Scegura wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>sticker wrote:</div>
I also don’t troll over 2mph, more like 1.5mph and most of the time we put the motor in neutral while reeling in the fish.

I agree with you Sticker. Your type of shallow trolling is probably one of the most fish friendly ways to fish. I should have been more specific. I was referring to leadcore. Pulling fish from 30′ fow at 2mph without slowing down is a problem IMO.

Gotcha Agreed. That style of fishing will not be allowed during the closure I wouldn’t think. Better get my fill of that this weekend too

sticker wrote:

I know how to remove a gutted hook without killing the fish, but a lot of people live bait rigging don’t. I also don’t troll over 2mph, more like 1.5mph and most of the time we put the motor in neutral while reeling in the fish.

Sadly it is true that there are some that will try digging a deep hook out or cutting the line when there is a way to reach in behind the gill plate and and get your finger down in there to quickly work it out. I also almost always troll less than 2mph and put the motor in neutral when reeling in a fish. Mostly because I am usually fishing alone so there’s only the one line and the boat would start driving in circles while I reel in and boat the fish if I left it in gear.

I will be curious how much active enforcement DNR CO’s employ during the walleye closure. Other than live bait, like you said…locations (other than say mud flats) and artificial lures and techniques would be difficult to differentiate between legally targeting smallmouth or illegally targeting walleye.