Yes and no. Yes to ensure a quality fishery going forward and no from a safe harvest level perspective. We've all seen the numbers published by our DNR. ML has a 540,000 pound safe harvest level. The native tribes get to harvest up to 142,500 pounds this year, which leaves 398,500 pounds to state anglers. The DNR estimates that state anglers harvested 271,000 pounds last year, which leaves 126,500 pounds if state anglers are as successful/lucky this year as last. Anyway, my two cents.
Nope... leave it. I too have gone through it every year for the last 20.... makes for some good bar time too !!! I think it makes the quiet evenings on the rocks, even more to look forward too, when it's finally lifted. JMHO
I think it is a great thing. The only bad part is alot of boats trying to get off the lake between 9:45 and 9:55. Remember be courteous to other boaters.
As a Mille Lacs Lakshore owner for most of my life, I favor the night ban; it takes some of the pressure off of the walleye population, and we can all go have a cold one. The main point is take some of the fishing pressure off the walleye population at a critical time.
I find the slot size much more frustrating -- especially when you have an injured fish to deal with that is not in the slot (and is visibly injured to release).
The night ban was done for some good ecological reasons, I believe and so I support it.
A big advantage: I can finally find Tat2jonnie and Glen we I need get them a cold one at Formica Flats hopefully.
I rarely ever fish past dark, so I don't see a reason to change it.
Some recent discussion on netting during the spawn, the two lines per person bill, closed walleye seasons, and slot limits got me thinking about how much biological reasoning was really behind this rule. My Dad always told me the reason for the night ban was to protect the large females who usually feed at night that time of year. Since then slot limits have been put in place to protect those larger fish anyway. As far as overharvest, limits are limits and they are set for a reason. The lake is healthy and anglers haven't reached the "safe harvest level" lately.
The mad dash to the landings is always a sight to see. Tune into the bobbercam every Friday and Saturday night during the night ban at 9:30 for some entertainment.
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Humana Insurance Representative-Brainerd and Mille Lacs Area
