I am OK with it. The lake has been great so far this year.... I think the 2"'s added will have the biggest impact on the area business.... I know 2 guys already who said, they were going up to Mille Lacs, that normally do not go, just because the slot opened up !!! It sure didn't hurt that I have been telling them what a great year it has been so far !!! I think it made something good... GREAT !!! I also do not think it will hurt the fishery.... as long as the 20" + go back, they are the present future makers of the lake I look at it this way also, for people trying to catch a limit, if we can keep 18 & 19"ers now, we can get our limit sooner and have less mortality from having to keep fishing and realeasing big and smaller opnes. It all helps a little.
There are a better class of fish this year. They're healthy and full of fight. As long as they're given time to rest after they're caught, the ones we have to release have been swimming away with no problem. I think expanding the slot is a step closer to where we want the lake to be for fishing. It's a positive step in the right direction.
There are a lot of walleyes out there. Being there has been such a big forage base with the bug, perch, and tulibee hatches and the fish are still biting. What does that say about the amount of fish in relation to the sustainabilty of the forage base? I think the population has to be brought down. I wish they would increase the the high end to 1 over 30". I think that would help out the trophy side of things as well.
I guess this will help take the pressure off the 16 and 17 inchers that seem to be everywere this year. The DNR should have just left the 20 inch rule that was in place before the tribal netting and set the top end at 26 or 28. Remember when we could take 6 fish with one over 20". The fishing was pretty good.
I guess this will help take the pressure off the 16 and 17 inchers that seem to be everywere this year. The DNR should have just left the 20 inch rule that was in place before the tribal netting and set the top end at 26 or 28. Remember when we could take 6 fish with one over 20". The fishing was pretty good.
I believe it won't hurt the fishery, and as Glan mentioned, might be good for some businesses in the area without hurting the what the is area all about. I, being a tournament fisherman, might be more concerned being as the bigger fish are going to strugle to make it through the day but the majority of the bigger tournaments are coming to an end. Actually, what I mean to say is, I sure wished the 20" slot would have been in affect during contest fishing when all I seemed to be able to catch was 18 1/4" + fish when it counted. I just hope, during these hot , dog days of summer , that everyone tries just a little harder to handle and release the larger fish to maintain their strength so they may be caught another day (and make many babies prior too) Be well all
I look at it this way also, for people trying to catch a limit, if we can keep 18 & 19"ers now, we can get our limit sooner and have less mortality from having to keep fishing and realeasing big and smaller opnes. It all helps a little.
