I saw it last night and heard a first hand account the night before. It would seem sportsman are the only ones that follow the rules. DNR should at least put up signs at boat landings and popular fishing spots.
So whats going on?
Signs are up (atleast the were) at the boat landing’s I’ve used 494, lillydale, Hidden falls…, I’m sure the wardens will follow up on any tips.
point a camera in their direction, make like you’re writing down information, and then make like you’re placing a call on your cell phone… be sure they see you do these things. I’d bet they’d throw back any ‘keepers’ after that!
better yet, do those three things and report them to the TIP line 
What part of P2 were you on?
-J.
is this a catch and release fishery???
DNR TIP Line: 800-652-9093
Quote:
is this a catch and release fishery???
Yep!
-J.
I was with Suzuki last night on the river and also saw the poaching. I’ve seen it a number of times. I’ve called TIP on 2 occasions in the past, but don’t know the outcome.
Today I talked to a gentleman in the St. Paul DNR offices who indicated that they do not have a CO that operates in that area. He admitted that even though calling the TIP line was the best line to take, there likely wouldn’t be a very immediate response.
There have been many folks who have seen me release nice walleyes on P2 and then ask me why I didn’t keep them. When I tell them it’s a catch and release fishery, they look at me like I’m speaking another language.
Most of the signs at the accesses, especially Lilydale, are old, graphiti ridden, and unreadable. I’m of the opinion that the DNR needs to do more to get the word out.
Especially to all the shore fishermen that don’t see the signs at the access.
Mike
Let the scumbags keep them!
With all the heavy metals, PCBs, and radioactivity in those fish, those scumbags won’t be around much longer.
If they do live around long enough, they will be easy enough to identify by their skin glowing in the dark! 
Why anyone wants to eat a fish just down river from the St. Paul sewage plant just amazes me.
The poacher I saw was just below Ford Dam. I think that’s Minnehaha Creek? What Crossin Eyes says sickens me even more. Anyone that fishes P2 knows its a unique fishery, even work class for the number and size of walleye you can pull out of there. Its only that way becasue the river was cleaned up and catch/release on game fish. Shame on the DNR for not even patrolling our downtown waters. Get some foot patrols out there, write some tickets and spread the word. We throw everything back for idiots to keep at will. This is BS!
I just went to the DNR website and sent them an email asking for assistance with this problem. It took 2 minutes. If you have time please do the same. Its going to take more than my one email for them to listen. I think it would take very little effort by the DNR to cut this problem way back.
Suzuki;
Can you post a link for everyone here to find that email addy.
Also, can you paste what you emailed them?
Here’s the page. I chose “contact the DNR” button at top. http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/index.html
Here’s what I sent.
“I would like to see a proactive stance on protecting the Pool 2 game fishery on the Mississippi. I see shore fisherman keeping walleyes at will.
I and many other law-abiding sportsmen would like to see clearly legible signs at the boat landings and parks at the very least. Some foot patrol on popular shorelines would also be a step in the right direction and probably result in far less poaching in the future. There are many many people very proud of what P2 has become. A world class walleye fishery. Rampant poaching needs to be controlled.
Thank you,”
Email sent Mike. Thanks for bringing this to our attention.
If I ever see anyone poaching on pool 2 I am going to pull right up to them and call the DNR, if they have a problem with that then we will go at it!
Thats why I dont eat any from pool 4 either. Im sure all of the sewage and contaminants find their way down river..
I launched out of Lilydale yesterday. Since I had read this thread I made an effort to look for the catch and release sign. The sign is very hard to see and has graffiti all over it. What I found most interesting is it has a ending date of 1999 for catch and release only. I should have taken a picture of it but I did not feel like pulling the camera out of the boat. Maybe I misread the sign but if you have never fished there before it would seem like you can keep walleyes.
They extended the regulation for another 10 years in 1999. You are right. They should put up some new signs.
-J.
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Did they get any big ones.
