fishthumper wrote:

You show me where many studies have been done by a reliable source on hooking mortality of Caught Muskies. In my time on the water I can tell you I witnessed many Muskies being caught by both Muskie fishermen and people who catch them while fishing for other fish. I can assure you that in warmer water temp months, more than a few of those fish do not survive after release. I fish both Minnetonka and Waconia often enough and often see dead Muskies floating dead. Not many other causes of this other than Hooking mortality.

Your post I originally responded to, compared Hooking Mortality to fish in the frying pan, so I assumed you weren’t talking muskies.

I’ve explained it to you before, and will continue to do so until you start retaining the info. Hooking Mortality is a real thing that happens. It is NOT a thing that happens so often and at such a high prevalence that it impacts fish/species biomass. Musky die from old age, choking on dinner, disease or a number of other natural causes. On top of being a difficult fish to catch, even with FFS. Which is all to say the small % of hooking mortality applied to the even smaller number of musky caught (almost all of which are released), is VERY unlikely to impact the musky biomass anywhere. I live 20 minutes away from and am on Tonka and Waconia frequently, and am yet to see a floater. So I do not believe you see floating musky’s “often” and you living in StC makes me think you don’t actually come down here “often” either.

Ripjiggen wrote:

It’s kind of funny because there are several here who claim the FFS guys actually catch less fish since they are staring at a screen all day and not fishing. Maybe it’s the opposite affect and less fish are being caught.

Great point, potentially far less stress on smaller and “teenage” fish, especially musky.

BrianF wrote:

All of these haters of advancements in technology. I sure don’t think “the old days” of musky fishing were better than today. See photo. Its not technology that is not killing muskies, it’s people killing muskies – just like they always have – only now it’s usually inadvertent versus intentional.

Nowadays, Minnesota is virtually all catch & release thanks to the trend towards ‘no kill’ and the latest size limit reg. So, most delayed mortality is inadvertent due to ‘over loving’ a musky once landed. Too much handling and too much time out of the water, especially when water temperatures peak in the summer and fish are prone to die of stress more easily.

The barotrauma argument seems like hogwash since barotrauma doesn’t become a problem until a fish is brought up from 30 feet or greater. Most musky suspended over the deep basin in early summer are no more than 8 to 15 feet deep. It’s unusual to see one at 25+ feet in my experience. Can’t say I’ve ever seen one at 30+ feet where barotrauma would become a problem. That seems like an argument against FFS that would be persuasive only to the uninformed.

Totally agreed.

fishthumper wrote:

Hooking mortality, Hooking Mortality. Some people like to always downplay this factor.

Yeah, they are called scientists and their conclusions are drawn off of studies. Except on Mille Lacs where they want you to believe that every fish in a net dies, but that is no comparison to the amount dying by Hooking Mortality.

Lakes are called RESOURCES and it’s the Dept of Natural RESOURCES because death is a part of it, whether it’s from take, nature (late/no spawn, overabundance of this or that prey/predator etc.) or the miniscule hooking mortality. Hooking mortality is just such a small % on every lake, besides Mille Lacs, that it does not impact management.

It was a great tourney and two epic collapses/comebacks in the last games. I am a little worried that the transfer portal and NIL money has killed Cinderella though. Check out this graphic of Sweet 16 teams and where they started their college career. Cinderella is usually a veteran tried and true mid-major or small school, tough to do that when the haves pick your roster clean.

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big_g wrote:

Can you post the current satellite image again ?

Here’s the link:
https://ge.ssec.wisc.edu/modis-today/index.php?satellite=a1&product=true_color&date=2025_04_07_097&overlay_sector=false&overlay_state=true&overlay_coastline=true&sector=USA3&resolution=250m

Looks like Mille Lacs is the southern edge of still iced over lakes. Won’t be long now I think.

Netguy wrote:

Saturday mornings has Wheeler Dealer

Wheeler Dealer is just absolute classic radio! Most of the callers have an accent straight out of Northern MN central casting, and there was an epic morning on the Rainy one time where they sold out of “da pair of choppers” but people kept calling for them that makes me laugh still today.

DJ: “NOOOO Morrreeee choppers folks, all soldout! Next caller please”
Next caller “Yahhey ya got anymore of dem choppers?”

prodrive-al wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Jon Jordan wrote:</div>
Park out of downtown along the light rail line. Jump on train. You get dropped off/picked up right in front of US Bank stadium. Easy and cheap.

-J.

I’m interested in this, where do I find where the light rail terminals are? How late do the trains run so if we want to hit a pub for a few after the concert we don’t miss the last train and end up stuck…

Appreciate all the info!

You can just google Light Rail Minneapolis and it will take you to the website. All the lines end/start in DT MSP and go south or east, so you’d need to drive past MSP to do that from Plymouth.

From Plymouth I’d look at taking an Uber, Twins have a day game as well if you are looking at heading down there early. Although I’m not sure if the Twins will have enough fans to impact parking/traffic.

CaptainMusky wrote:

Did you hear about the guys who jumped Paul Bisonnette? You may not recognize the name, he was an NHL hockey player, but not overly well known. He is on the spittin chiclets podcast and also on the TNT crew during televised games. ANyways this group of drunk guys jumped him in a bar, all caught on film, and basically they FAFO. Apparently they did this sort of thing multiple times before. They had their “businesses” ruined as a result of this. IDK if they were arrested or not, but similar deal they were in construction of some sort. SHady businesses too.

Those guys were gypsy’s tho, they probably already have a new business started doing the same thing. Something I’m sure this guy will do if he’s able to stay licensed and insured, both would seem pretty doubtful.

gonefishin wrote:

Here is a handy link for getting daily prices.

https://batteryfinder.net/

That is a cool link, thanks for sharing!

I’d read the fine print on any mass mail solicitation. Most insurance companies offer it as an endorsement on your Homeowners policy, subject to deductible. If you need a replacement it will be at least $10k hired out, if not significantly more. My brother had to replace his about 5ish years ago and it was over $10k then, his was closer to the road but had to go around a tree.

Both those games were great! Even though I picked Duke, they are one of those teams you never mind watching lose in epic fashion.

I’m also a cast iron devotee, although I did some ribeyes on charcoal recently that I’d put up against any of my cast iron work. Cast iron is just so much more consistent imo. And respect on the Sirloin, one of the most underrated cuts out there imho! Especially if it’s ‘Berta Beef…

glenn57 wrote:

There’s also a power loon out of Bemidji 99.1 I believe.

That is Z99 and it’s the best classic rock station around. They often play the exact same songs as 107.5 Brainerd Power Loon (St Cloud also has a PL 103.7), but when PL goes to commercial Z99 keeps on rocking. It’s pretty much the only music radio I listen to, and is always a sign we are getting close to the cabin when I turn it on in Leader.

Congrats!!!

Riverrat wrote:

My grandma used to have one of those old wives tales answers to this question. Maybe it was vinegar? Or the water had to be boiling or cold or something. I don’t know because once I smelled old people egg farts I knew eggs weren’t for me. Except maybe a couple deviled eggs.

Both of these, start with cold water and a splash of vinegar then bring to a boil.

The real egg riddle is why in one sitting can I eat 2-3 fried eggs, but 4-6 if they are scrambled eggs, and unlimited amounts of deviled eggs? Like I honestly don’t know how many because they run out before I stop eating them.

I think the reason the Musky guys are so up in arms, is this may enable them to catch musky without torturing themselves for hours days on end without a bite. And without that sadomasochistic process, they might get into some really sick stuff elsewhere. #jokingbutnotjoking

Joe Jarl wrote:

2-part question for all. In the last 40 years there have been several technological advancements that have made it easier to find fish. With the addition of sonar flashers, 2D sonar, side imaging, gps mapping, cameras, larger more capable boats, etc., in your personal experience have these advancements made fishing worse for you in the state of MN? And if you think it is worse overall, which of those items is responsible?

No, all the stuff I use and depend on in order to catch fish has had no impact. The stuff I can’t afford or just don’t want to buy that is the downfall of fishing as we know it. (end sarcasm) I agree fishing is as great as it’s ever been imo.

Dutch there were a bunch of basin musky videos from Lake Vermillion a decade or so ago. I think they were Lindner produced, but could be misremembering.

I always thought that has to be one of the busiest McD’s in the world, at least per capita.

Sounds like an awesome trip! And I’m a little jealous about wanting to go back now

Dutchboy wrote:

Does anybody think the Pohlads understand how ugly this season could get?

No. It’s going to be great, sure wish there was a Pohlad cam, I might tune in then!

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

I dont road hunt at all. I don’t have a problem shooting birds. I have a problem with a$$hole ATVers that break the law.

I have no personal issue with you. Go back and read my posts on this thread, I’ve been trying to keep it on topic of the bill allowing the DNR commissioner to Decommission ALREADY APPROVED ATV/OHV trails to make it illegal to ride on them. Which if you are opposed to ATV’s in illegal places, you should want them to have plenty of legal places to ride. And if you are hunting where ATV’s are riding and impacting your hunt, even if they are doing so illegally, you are road hunting imho. It is your choice to take that personally or not.

Home opener going to be hopping at 40 degrees and a winless ballclub

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

none of the trails I hunt are approved ATV trails. that doesn’t stop them

Call them in, it will stop pretty quickly. Or maybe try walking in the woods. Sounds like you are a road hunter too, you just don’t like competition.

Eelpoutguy wrote:

>John Rasmussen wrote:</div>
Well to anyone who wants to elevate there pancake game and impress the crowd.

1 1/2 cups flour
1/4 cup sugar (heaping of course)
1 tsp salt
1 tsp baking soda
1 1/2 cups milk
1/4 cup oil
2 eggs
1/2 oz pour of fav bourbon

This was handed to me from a friend and it was his Grandma’s recipe.

John,
I fixed it for you

Haha on a related note, anyone here drink Bourbon Bloody Mary’s? It’s a thing now I guess. I try and keep off the brown booze until after lunch myself…

Gitchi Gummi wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>BigWerm wrote:</div>
And honestly unless you are road hunting (which I’d argue isn’t really hunting), it has no impact on hunting imho

I disagree 100%

Where I grouse hunt, 90+% of the other “hunters” in the area are road hunting on ATVs on the same trails. It really takes the sport out of it and the pressure significantly impacts bird movement. They ride trails that are not designated ATV/OHV trails, drive like a bat out of hell, often have alcohol in the cup holders, and will drive down a trail even if a truck is parked at the end and very clearly hunting it with a dog (i.e. kennel in back of truck). If I ever come up to a trailhead and see a truck parked there, I will let them have it and go hunt somewhere else.

There is very little etiquette by this crowd. I try to avoid them the best I can but its hard when they can cover 10 miles to your 1 mile you can cover on foot. It really puts a damper on things when you walk 3 miles into a trail and you know the last mile is where you will see the payoff with the most birds only to get leapfrogged by a couple guys in a SXS and hear a bunch of shooting 2 min after they leapfrog you on the trail.

The bold is already illegal and not at all what I’m talking about. People road hunting anywhere, including approved ATV/OHV trails are not really hunting imho. And you will not have to worry about these people if you are not hunting driveable trails. For example the non-ATV/OHV logging trails in Paul Bunyan are blocked off from any vehicle entry, and I shoot most of my grouse there.

weedis wrote:

A buddy Big Werm and I went to school with coaches at Sartell. Sounds like they have a good program and consistently finishing well. His son is a good shooter as well. As it’s been said on IDO before, wish these activities were around when I was in school!

Yeah I saw he posted his boys got 4th (280) and 8th (274) at state, but I’m not sure which age groups they are in.

Sharon wrote:

I make them from scratch since we don’t eat them too often and the box stuff expires. The recipe I use is pretty simple and we always have the ingredients on hand so it’s quite handy!

Does flour expire? C’mon Sharon, expiration dates are really just suggestions.

Jeff Sundin runs a website with some write ups on the MN Fisheries Summit Report and the MN Fish gathering a few days prior.

https://fishrapper.com/

Joe Jarl wrote:

I don’t spend as much time in state forests as some of you, but don’t doubt the issues being bringing up. My guess though is that most of these things are already illegal and require more enforcement. I’m not in favor of further restrictions for law abiding OHV users. Pages 34-37 of the OHV regs below explains use of state forest land. A good share of it is already off limits to motorized use.
MNNDR OHV Regs

Agreed. I hunt and recreate in the Paul Bunyan State Forest a lot, and there is 10x the usage by ATV/OHV as there are hunters, hikers or other usage. This is also a boon for the local communities that have resorts, campgrounds, bars and restaurants full all spring, summer and fall. The Rule Breakers should be held accountable, but it’s a huge benefit for our state as it becomes a destination for this type of recreation. And honestly unless you are road hunting (which I’d argue isn’t really hunting), it has no impact on hunting imho.