advertisement

Rules confusion reigns, only hurting well-intentioned anglers

In my opinion, one of the more disappointing and frustrating aspects of fishing and hunting is new or old regulations.

One example in particular: Take one of the most popular Minnesota "diamonds." Lake Mille Lacs has been a steadfast political and territorial walleye football for years. The lake itself is a gargantuan, tourist-angler cash cow and it's been that way for many decades.

In brief, some native bands from Wisconsin came into Minnesota, supposedly met with local tribal leaders, and the result was a complete stoppage of walleye fishing on this huge body of water.

Without out-of-state, as well as local, walleye fishermen local tourism greatly suffered especially at the cash registers.

And even before the walleye breaks were applied, a smallmouth bass fishery exploded and that story quickly became major news within the bass tournaments.

As the smallmouth grew to 7 pounds-plus, the muskie factory kicked in, offering giant fish over 50 inches.

Now that may be news in some quarters. But the real story seems to ooze out slowly, centering on catch-and-release guidelines.

Slot limits are often ignored on Mille Lacs and other waterways because anxious and hungry anglers hold to the tradition of taking non-slot limit fish because these people purchased fishing licenses and believe they are entitled to do what they've been doing for generations.

And for the legal, well-intentioned sport angler, they now believe they should and will take a couple of fish home for the broiler.

In some arenas, there are knowledgeable anglers who believe we as an entity have done our part in helping rekindle good fishing by turning everything back in to the water.

Outside of the Chicago, area in places like northern Wisconsin and Minnesota, smaller, "cigar-sized" walleyes have taken over once productive fishing grounds usually reserved for the jumbo fish.

Common sense tells me that's why angling guru Ron Lindner is now preaching selective harvesting once again.

When various governmental agencies like the Department of Natural Resources go to work stocking fish in various lakes, these hardworking biologists would hear the applause and know their work is being appreciated.

But it's the complaints from anglers about the overabundance of small fish that leave a bad taste in the mouths of the state fisheries people.

And here is the poaching problem. For many law-abiding anglers, fish and animal poaching is looked upon as a major crime.

Poaching is a cultural malady. Not having enough state law enforcement (conservation police officers) is a legislative malady that will forever be resistant to any major infusion of cash and common sense, let alone some kind of bureaucratic antibiotic.

Poachers are thieves. They steal from us on the Fox Chain; the Fox River; Skokie Lagoon, and every other body of water that hardly ever sees an undercover conservation cop.

Those guys want to work, but because they are greatly understaffed and lack the necessary funds to do the job the right way, those folks who don't have a clue as to what a state fishing and hunting license looks like already know they can get away with just about anything.

What's the solution? Let state lawmakers know how you feel and make it clear you vote.

We will never have it as good as Minnesota and Wisconsin, fishing-wise, but we must hold on to what we do have and protect it.

• Contact Mike Jackson at angler88@comcast.net, catch his radio show 7-9 a.m. Sundays on WGCO 1590-AM (live-streamed at www.1590WCGO.com) and get more content at www.mikejacksonoutdoors.com.

Article Comments
Guidelines: Keep it civil and on topic; no profanity, vulgarity, slurs or personal attacks. People who harass others or joke about tragedies will be blocked. If a comment violates these standards or our terms of service, click the "flag" link in the lower-right corner of the comment box. To find our more, read our FAQ.