The Dark Cloud that still darkens Mille Lacs Lake

Phenomenal walleye “catching” and epic smallmouth success on Mille Lacs this open water season. Perhaps no other fishery in the state right now that can be just like an Al Lindner or Seth Fieder in being able to go out and catch these big fish with relative ease.

Strange thing to say the least. These past several years have been a parade of unexpected surprises and what was expected inevitably turned into unexpected disappointments.

As is my due diligence to keep tabs on what might be expected (or not), this is still posted on the DNR website…and it is fast approaching mid-July. Just SMH.

“The 2018 safe walleye harvest level has not yet been agreed upon by the DNR and the bands that have tribal fishing rights. While discussion to resolve the level continues, the DNR is operating the state’s fishery using a safe harvest level of 150,000 pounds, which amounts to 87,800 pounds.”

All that means is the DNR has not be told by GLIFWC what they will allow. Be prepared to have the lake shut down. If you like Walleye fishing do it now.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

“The 2018 safe walleye harvest level has not yet been agreed upon by the DNR and the bands that have tribal fishing rights. While discussion to resolve the level continues, the DNR is operating the state’s fishery using a safe harvest level of 150,000 pounds, which amounts to 87,800 pounds.”

Saw that a couple days ago.

Has the treaty documents always been on the Mille Lacs page?
https://www.dnr.state.mn.us/millelacslake/mille-lacs-lake-court-decision-documents.html

Has the Mille Lacs committee meeting agendas/minutes always been on the Mille Lacs Page?
https://files.dnr.state.mn.us/fisheries/largelakes/millelacs/tdocs/ftc/2018_winter_ftc_agenda_minutes

I don’t remember seeing these before.

Dutchboy wrote:

All that means is the DNR has not be told by GLIFWC what they will allow. Be prepared to have the lake shut down. If you like <em class=”ido-tag-em”>Walleye fishing do it now.

The meeting minutes above says the GLIFWC wants 90k lbs while the DNR wants 150k lbs. They never reached an agreement.

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biggill wrote:

I don’t remember seeing these before.

And I don’t either. Good homework biggill

Doesn’t give me a good feeling though. I have not been one to bash the DNR and blame them for everything, but this seems sneaky on their part. They got publicly hammered on an agreement they made without any public disclosure and apologized as an oversight.

So in a token attempt to become more transparent as the public has demanded…they have. However, for them to skate this kind of information through the back door without any public notification then absolves them of not being transparent…but without anyone knowing where this was disclosed and that it was disclosed on their site is just shady.

About 3 years ago I subscribed to a DNR communication program where I would get email alerts on any relevant DNR and Mille Lacs related developments and/or new information.

It has been at least 3 years since I have gotten any notifications. They have cut us off.

Go back to the DNR website and click on the newsletter for Mille Lacs. Hooked On Mille Lacs
A regularly issued newsletter that focuses on
Mille Lacs Lake.

The last one was May 2015. So what happened to that? They promised that would continue.

For some time a guide on Mille Lacs complained all the time about DNR…no trust. At the time I just dismissed him as being bitter…now I believe he knew well what he was talking about!

Well the governor hasn’t done anything this year to pi$$ em off yet, and with the bite the way it is and hopefully the resorts having a better year than most lately I would be a betting man the government will be willing to play cards with the tribes to keep it open. What they give for that is scary to think about but I wouldn’t doubt to even see night trolling opened back up this fall!

Nobody listened to Sternburg.
Nobody listened to Fellegy.

Why would the DNR listen to anything the taxpayers have to say? You will get more communication from Jimmy Hoffa or Elvis Pressley.

This continued mess is one reason I have not been putting up posts about big catches on the lake. It’s kinda like “Any evidence will be used against you” in the way they calc out release mortality. My answer to any official “How many did you catch” question is always zero.

Just starting to see lake temps tick over the 70 degree mark. My personal opinion is the release mortality should be fairly low even with the big C&R numbers. I think the less news from the lake the better. Get through August and hope they keep it open into the late fall.

-J.

Jon don’t you feel that kind of attitude is one piece of the puzzle that mille lacs has so much bad publicity and people stay away?

Being bitter is ok until it starts to affect the situation.

You’re right. I am bitter. One reason I will just stay quiet and sit over here in my corner.

-J.

nhamm wrote:

Jon don’t you feel that kind of attitude is one piece of the puzzle that mille lacs has so much bad publicity and people stay away?

No. People stay away because you can’t keep any. Plain and simple.

Those that just like to catch and release go but there’s still a huge void from those that go for meat.

Human memories are surprisingly short. If you could keep a couple we’d forget there was ever a problem. I guarantee.

If you just bring up mille lacs in conversations and people just get pi$$ed off. And these are people who haven’t fished it for years. People who have no reason to be pi$$ed off really. Lakeshore owners, businesses, area businesses etc I get why the attitude, but it seems to have trickled it’s way out to everyone.

Don’t want to send anyone in the corner Jon, sorry if I offended ya.

biggill wrote:

No. People stay away because you can’t keep any. Plain and simple.

Those that just like to catch and release go but there’s still a huge void from those that go for meat.

Human memories are surprisingly short. If you could keep a couple we’d forget there was ever a problem. I guarantee.

That may hold true for a lot of people, but this isn’t the reason I haven’t been back in several years. I see it as I don’t want to contribute to the “problem” by adding to “hooking mortality” figures.
2 of my boys and I went out there 5 years ago and it was their fondest fishing memories to date (sans the week-long Canada trip they each went on). They would constantly ask about going to “Mille Lacs” again and I just explained what was going on there and why we haven’t been back for a while.
I release 95% of the fish I catch if not more, but taking one home is nice, but it isn’t why I choose to not go back, at least up to this point anyway.

biggill wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>nhamm wrote:</div>
Jon don’t you feel that kind of attitude is one piece of the puzzle that mille lacs has so much bad publicity and people stay away?

No. People stay away because you can’t keep any. Plain and simple.

Those that just like to catch and release go but there’s still a huge void from those that go for meat.

Human memories are surprisingly short. If you could keep a couple we’d forget there was ever a problem. I guarantee.

We are seeing a huge swing in CPR vs meat eaters and you’d be pleasantly surprised by the number of people that would rather go out and slaughter fish all day and can’t keep any vs going to a lake and catching a handful to take home. This comes with education and time…

CaptainMusky wrote:

That may hold true for a lot of people, but this isn’t the reason I haven’t been back in several years. I see it as I don’t want to contribute to the “problem” by adding to “hooking mortality” figures.

This seems like a rather “weak” reason to NOT fish the lake. I don’t know you, but based on the fact you post on this forum I would have the opinion that you know how to handle fish carefully and would use methods that would reduce the possibility of hooking mortality. Sure, there’s always the chance some fish are going to die but it sounds like you and your sons are missing an opportunity for some great fishing. Either way, I respect your concern for the resource.

On a more general thought, are we missing something obvious? Right now anyone can go out there and catch fish, lot’s of fish, and lot’s of big one’s. A good thing in a way. It’s making everyone look like experts and there’s something wrong with that picture…because not everyone is an expert at catching walleye.

The reason so many fish are being caught is because we keep releasing over and over again. Sure, there is some hooking mortality but the majority survive and are caught over and over again. I think the lake can sustain a harvest again and expect it will open for harvest.

And once it does depending on what’s allowed, we may see the time when catching a walleye out there will be a challenge as walleye fishing typically is most everywhere else.

nhamm wrote:

If you just bring up mille lacs in conversations and people just get pi$$ed off. And these are people who haven’t fished it for years. People who have no reason to be pi$$ed off really. Lakeshore owners, businesses, area businesses etc I get why the attitude, but it seems to have trickled it’s way out to everyone.

Don’t want to send anyone in the corner Jon, sorry if I offended ya.

Hey…… i resemble that guy.

You seem to have your reasons dutch but I certainly don’t think you come off as POd. Many fellows outside the realm of IDO to me just outright get mad.

nhamm wrote:

If you just bring up mille lacs in conversations and people just get pi$$ed off. And these are people who haven’t fished it for years. People who have no reason to be pi$$ed off really. Lakeshore owners, businesses, area businesses etc I get why the attitude, but it seems to have trickled it’s way out to everyone.

Don’t want to send anyone in the corner Jon, sorry if I offended ya.

It’s only really limited to the people you mentioned and forums. There’s a huge portion that’s disconnected and only exposed to what they hear in the news. I’m sure we’ve all explained to family members, friends and strangers about what is really going on.

ClownColor wrote:

We are seeing a huge swing in CPR vs meat eaters and you’d be pleasantly surprised by the number of people that would rather go out and slaughter fish all day and can’t keep any vs going to a lake and catching a handful to take home. This comes with education and time…

I totally agree but I still think we underestimate how big of an impact the C&R is having. I’d be willing to bet that if they opened it up to 2 fish you’d see a 50-100% increase in traffic immediately.

I am from northern Iowa and am happy drive 250 miles one way to fish the lake for a Saturday afternoon and Sunday morning. Some of my son’s fondest fishing memories are of fishing Mille Lacs even more so than our Canada trips. Even here at home when I talk about Mille Lacs the first thing I hear is “but you can’t keep any fish”. Then I have to tell them how Mille Lacs is an awesome fishery and fantastic resource close to a major metro area. People have to get over the “walleye is meat” mentality. I understand that the fishing public as a whole would like to be able to keep some fish for a meal. And these people are the people the restaurants and resorts rely upon. But we as fisherman and stewards of the resource need to stop arguing between ourselves and openly encourage other fisherman to enjoy the fishery for what it is. We may not agree with what the DNR is doing, but complaining hasn’t worked. Advertise the incredible opportunity you have. Encourage your fellow fisherman to go to Mille Lacs and support the local economy and enjoy the awesome fishing. I admit I have no skin in the game. But what you have is incredible.

Walleye student said:

The reason so many fish are being caught is because we keep releasing over and over again. Sure, there is some hooking mortality but the majority survive and are caught over and over again.

What percent of the walleye that are caught and released are actually caught again? How many released are caught two more times, three more times???

ClearCreek

biggill wrote:

I’m sure we’ve all explained to family members, friends and strangers about what is really going on.

Must’ve missed that thread, so what is really going on gill that everyone agrees on?

I agree 100% with what Neal Keeling said. I am a lakeshore owner on the lake and it frustrates me every time someone asks where our cabin is and after I tell them Mille Lacs all they know is the “doom and gloom”. I have to tell them about how great the fishing still is and the many other great things about the lake and the area around it. I try and do my part to promote the lake. Memorial day weekend I took out my brother in law and 2 nephews fishing. The oldest nephew caught 3 walleyes and 1 smallmouth, all 4 fish were the biggest fish he had ever caught. He was grinning ear to ear, you cant do that many other places.

I wish the whiny resorters would stop complaining and “protesting” In my opinion it is not helping. If these resorters would embrace the change and promote the opportunities that are there now. They would be doing better, business wise. There are other resorts and bars/restaurants that are reporting record years for business recently. I get it, it is a walleye lake not a bass lake but why not take advantage of what is there now until the walleye recovers? If the walleye situation would have been approached as is the bass by the Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance, I think some things may have gone better. They are really doing a good job operating a respectable group that is promoting conservation.

Buffalo Fishhead wrote:

Walleye student said:

The reason so many fish are being caught is because we keep releasing over and over again. Sure, there is some hooking mortality but the majority survive and are caught over and over again.

What percent of the walleye that are caught and released are actually caught again? How many released are caught two more times, three more times???

ClearCreek

Clear,
My oversight in not stating that was my opinion. I do not have any photographic evidence, comprehensive study, or witness affidavits.

I theorized that even though Mille Lacs is a large body of water, there still is a finite number of walleyes inhabiting the lake. Given the now common boasting of anglers claiming 30, 40, 50, walleyes caught during the course of a weekend (or day) and that the current regulation allows for zero harvest…all catch and release. I think there is a high probability that many of these walleyes are being caught and released multiple times. (Ain’t that the beauty of C&R?) Just my opinion though…

BTW, very thoughtful post Neal Keeling @aspeneyes

Apparently it takes someone from out of state to see this objectively from all sides and adds a refreshing perspective.

The lake is fun to fish.

The management is puzzling and seems disjointed.

Transparency would go a long ways towards trusting who’s actually at the wheel and what their intentions are and what direction they are going.

Meat hunters can go rape and pillage another lake. The rest of us will continue the trophy caliber walleye, smallmouth, and muskie fishing that the lake has to offer.

There are other lakes where you can catch/keep walleye in that area. Big ones. Our fishing party’s second year of spending a week on Mille Lacs. The lake was running a cpl of weeks behind schedule so the smallies were in transition. Still caught some real nice ones. The walleye fishing was outstanding. Over 1/2 dozen over 29” and lots of other nice fish. Saw lots of minnows along the shore which bodes well. The management of that lake is a head scratcher for sure

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Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

This seems like a rather “weak” reason to NOT fish the lake. I don’t know you, but based on the fact you post on this forum I would have the opinion that you know how to handle fish carefully and would use methods that would reduce the possibility of hooking mortality. Sure, there’s always the chance some fish are going to die but it sounds like you and your sons are missing an opportunity for some great fishing. Either way, I respect your concern for the resource.

I have the utmost confidence in my ability to reduce/avoid hooking mortality because in most cases that is within my control. What I cannot control however is the calculation that the DNR uses to determine it for their “safe harvest” levels. Obviously it must be somehow based on angler hours, etc so, if I do not fish the lake, I cannot contribute to it PERIOD. I don’t agree with the practice and the DNR has not been forthcoming in how they determine it so I am not going to participate and make the matters worse.

the fact that one side of the “management” team (GLIFWC) can hold out against the DNR and their “science” should speak volumes as to what is going on. nuff said.