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Posts: 1301
Location: Hayward, Wisconsin | From "The Fishing Wire":
"Twelve Minnesota Lakes Now Open to Spearing Fish
| December 6, 2013
Twelve lakes scattered throughout Minnesota, including two in the metropolitan area, now are open for darkhouse spearing, the Department of Natural Resources said.
Spearing restrictions were repealed effective Dec. 2 on the following lakes: Beers and West Battle in Otter Tail County; Big Mantrap in Hubbard County; Deer, Moose, North Star and connected Little North Star and Spider in Itasca County; Lobster in Douglas County; Cross Lake Flowage in Pine County; Eagle in Hennepin County; Owasso in Ramsey County and Sugar in Wright County.
Darkhouse spearing is limited to northern pike, catfish, whitefish and other rough-fish species. Other game fish species such as muskellunge are illegal to spear at any time. Anglers ages 18-89 need both an angling license and a spearing license to spear, unless otherwise exempt.
All other regulations related to spearing, angling and shelters apply to these waters. Additional information is available on page 77 of the 2013 Minnesota Fishing Regulations handbook and online at www.mndnr.gov/regulations/fishing.
For more information, contact the DNR area fisheries office nearest the lake of interest using the online directory at www.mndnr.gov/areas/fisheries.
- See more at: http://www.thefishingwire.com/story/305920#sthash.jdluZqjA.dpuf "
Edited by Larry Ramsell 12/6/2013 9:28 AM
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Posts: 1901
Location: MN | Knew it was comin', but still...uggh. Accidents, and accidents on purpose, will happen. |
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Posts: 82
| This is what happens when Mn muskie anglers stay quiet and the spearers are willing to talk to legislators. |
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Posts: 42
Location: Shoepack | Tough news to take. This story and the story about the 4 walleye poachers (as defined by the MN DNR) let off the hook (small pun intended) due to a 176 year old treaty make it tough to have a positive outlook on the MN fishing scene. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Looking forward to trying West Battle, Beers and Lobster! |
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Posts: 28
| I cannot think of one legit management or resourceful reason as to why these lakes were opened up....Complete head-scratcher. |
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Posts: 4
| Dittos JAT!! I agree! While the spearers were contacting their representatives to get all these lakes opened up, the muskie fishermen in MN must have had their heads in the sand. At our local muskie meeting when I brought this up that this may happen, no one seemed to care but me. I don't get it, what am I missing???
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Posts: 11
| The MN DNR, the spearing lobby, and the MN Legislature are all a complete joke. None of them care about the natural resources of the state of Minnesota. Apparently its more important for a bunch of rednecks to carry on a tradition, then it is to protect a fishery, or the investment that went into the fishery. |
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Posts: 29
| They must have a better eye than me to tell the difference between a muskie and a pike from the top just before they skewer it. |
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Posts: 1767
Location: Lake Country, Wisconsin | not sure about some of the other lakes but the Grand Rapids additions are tough...a few of those are smaller lakes with not a great density and good pike fishing...hard to imagine that benefits the resource in any way possible. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Mike Palmer - 12/7/2013 11:35 AM
The MN DNR, the spearing lobby, and the MN Legislature are all a complete joke. None of them care about the natural resources of the state of Minnesota. Apparently its more important for a bunch of rednecks to carry on a tradition, then it is to protect a fishery, or the investment that went into the fishery.
Maybe we shut all fishing down, you know, to protect the resource.
I'm sure you're staunchly against all fishing harvest at all times of the year. Harvest is harvest. Or do you not like it because you don't do it. |
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Mike Palmer - 12/7/2013 12:35 PM
The MN DNR, the spearing lobby, and the MN Legislature are all a complete joke. None of them care about the natural resources of the state of Minnesota. Apparently its more important for a bunch of rednecks to carry on a tradition, then it is to protect a fishery, or the investment that went into the fishery.
Really? Do you think insulting these folks will somehow endear them to your cause?
It's that attitude that empowers them to make the changes made the last couple years. And the 'muskie fishermen' in MN did NOT have their 'head in the sand', they simply were not able to stop this from happening. This ain't the first time the subject has been brought up here.
Q:
If you don't know the history and law that allows the Nations to harvest fish and game, you truly need to study the subject in order to understand it. The two issues are not even remotely related.
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Posts: 8866
| I could actually see this being a benefit to some of the lakes if they have abundant populations of small pike. As for the giant pike and any incidental muskies, that's obviously not good.
I'd be interested to see how many people actually spear and what sort of harvest numbers are put down before I decide the world is coming to an end.
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | esoxaddict - 12/7/2013 1:34 PM
I could actually see this being a benefit to some of the lakes if they have abundant populations of small pike. As for the giant pike and any incidental muskies, that's obviously not good.
I'd be interested to see how many people actually spear and what sort of harvest numbers are put down before I decide the world is coming to an end.
[/QUOT
Just drive up to grand rapids right now and you'll see how many people spear. Its a lot and I already know people who have been out on moose. Personally, i dont care if they spear the pike, but I know plenty of peiple who will at a muskie just out of spite. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Kirby Budrow - 12/7/2013 1:48 PM
esoxaddict - 12/7/2013 1:34 PM
I could actually see this being a benefit to some of the lakes if they have abundant populations of small pike. As for the giant pike and any incidental muskies, that's obviously not good.
I'd be interested to see how many people actually spear and what sort of harvest numbers are put down before I decide the world is coming to an end.
[/QUOT
Just drive up to grand rapids right now and you'll see how many people spear. Its a lot and I already know people who have been out on moose. Personally, i dont care if they spear the pike, but I know plenty of peiple who will at a muskie just out of spite.
Out of 'spite' for what reason? |
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| Ummm...this isn't a treaty issue, it's just state law and open to everyone.
There's a place for harvest (by whatever means people want), but there's a place for protecting some fish from harvest too. It's not like there's a shortage of water open to spearing in MN.
It was awesome predictably catching 36-40" pike from Mantrap and letting them go. Without the 36" limit and spearing ban? In a lake that small with water that clear those fish will be gone soon and it's back to hammer-handles. |
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Posts: 3165
| Maybe the snowmobilers will take care of this whole thing,,they want a law that permits only a 20 inch max hole on lakes |
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Posts: 1638
Location: Minnesota | I speared 20 years ago it was fun . I would like it stoped in all lakes but that wont happen . each state have there own laws for there hunting and fishing. mn you can troll any lake you want . winter you can use 2 lines summer 1 .Wi some lakes you can troll some you cant every state has stupid laws . |
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Location: Chisholm, MN | sworrall - 12/7/2013 1:49 PM
Kirby Budrow - 12/7/2013 1:48 PM
esoxaddict - 12/7/2013 1:34 PM
I could actually see this being a benefit to some of the lakes if they have abundant populations of small pike. As for the giant pike and any incidental muskies, that's obviously not good.
I'd be interested to see how many people actually spear and what sort of harvest numbers are put down before I decide the world is coming to an end.
[/QUOT
Just drive up to grand rapids right now and you'll see how many people spear. Its a lot and I already know people who have been out on moose. Personally, i dont care if they spear the pike, but I know plenty of peiple who will at a muskie just out of spite.
Out of 'spite' for what reason?
My guess is that they donit because they know they probably won't get caught. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Kirby is right,...The mentality in N.Mn. is this.... a fish is a fish, which is food,...no matter the species,.... Walleye Guys will Kill any and every muskie they can because they think that all muskies eat ALL of their Walleyes
That's a fact.....This Issue has Nothing to do with Indian Treaties.
MI and others, did fight against this expansion of new Spearing lakes.
Spearing is a sport that Isn't going away soon. deal with it.
And the Mn, DNR knows their shnit,....Their Biologist's didn't want more lakes opened up to spearing. Exspically on Muskie Waters.
Jerome |
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Posts: 2389
Location: Chisholm, MN | Thank you Jerome. A guy I talked to (who every fisherman in GR knows because he owns a business) said that he would spear a muskie if it came into him just because he couldn't resist. Those lakes are already in trouble and now one more thing working against the muskies. |
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Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Sounds like the warden up there has a couple good prospects for a nice fine. |
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Location: The desert | Kirby Budrow - 12/7/2013 5:16 PM
Thank you Jerome. A guy I talked to (who every fisherman in GR knows because he owns a business) said that he would spear a muskie if it came into him just because he couldn't resist. Those lakes are already in trouble and now one more thing working against the muskies.
People say a lot of things. Talk is cheap.
People tell me all the time they're going to give up boating/fishing because of AIS laws. Yet I'll see them a week later. |
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Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | sworrall - 12/7/2013 6:26 PM
Sounds like the warden up there has a couple good prospects for a nice fine.
Steve,
Fining a couple of Rogue Spearers isn't going to stop the slaughter of Muskies....Most people up here think the Muskies are eating Everything......Spearing on Muskie lakes is a horrible Idea....
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Posts: 32958
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | I agree, they were protected for a reason. Getting this changed back won't be easy.
Interesting how politics can allow fish and game law to contradict what the people charged with managing same think is best.
Happens in WI too, but usually not through legislation.
Not to be rude, but isn't that reputation of 'it's a fish, so it's to eat' what so many MN anonymous posters have, over the years, self righteously accused us N WI cheese heads of? And now it turns out N MN folks are afflicted with that? Say it ain't so...:) |
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Location: Walker, MN | Top H2O - 12/7/2013 5:27 PM
Kirby is right,...The mentality in N.Mn. is this.... a fish is a fish, which is food,...no matter the species,.... Walleye Guys will Kill any and every muskie they can because they think that all muskies eat ALL of their Walleyes
That's a fact.....This Issue has Nothing to do with Indian Treaties.
MI and others, did fight against this expansion of new Spearing lakes.
Spearing is a sport that Isn't going away soon. deal with it.
And the Mn, DNR knows their shnit,....Their Biologist's didn't want more lakes opened up to spearing. Exspically on Muskie Waters.
Jerome
Some. The mentality of some. |
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Posts: 4080
Location: Elko - Lake Vermilion | Guys, this is the truth. I work Const. in the Mines in N Mn. from U.S.Steel in Keewatin to Cliffs in Silver Bay to ArcelorMittal in Virginia and Hibbing taconite in Hibbing,...
I've met hundreds of people in the last 19 yrs. that fish multiple species,... and most of these people blame the Muskies for a dwindling population of their favorite fish,.... the walleye, Perch, crappie, bass, you name it....Most people that don't fish for muskies up here go out of their way to Kill Muskies,... I've talked to them, I've worked with them, I've eaten and drank with them,...They don't follow the Laws up here... Unethical Spearers up here will kill anything that comes their way including Muskies, Pike and Walleye...It's just the way it is..
I've had guys brag that they just filled their 2nd freezer with "over limits" of walleye and then blame the Muskies for eating "Their Walleye's"
Spearing on Muskie and Big Pike water is a BIG mistake.....Let the DNR manage the fishery 's , not a few politicians that don't have a clue. |
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| Some people just like to kill for no reason, whether its fish or animals. I don't get that mentality either but there are many out there. I wish I saw more CO's out on the lakes I fish, but truthfully I can think of one time I've been checked by a CO in the last 3 years.
Edited by Baby Mallard 12/7/2013 8:18 PM
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Location: Eastern Ontario | I live in eastern Ontario and we also have a bunch of guys that blame the muskies for their inability to catch pickerel ( walleye to you ). They troll a rapala a foot under the surface till the beer is gone then blame the muskies for eating all the pickerel. They say they will kill every muskie they catch but fortunately they can't catch them either. |
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Posts: 742
Location: Grand Rapids MN | I have had the same experiences as Jerome. Don't even look for it; it's just all around.
Short of all the debate over the reasons of which way to manage I wish our legislators would let the DNR do "THEIR" jobs. I've never liked all the ways these changes were piggy back bills to get things pushed through without proper due diligence. |
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