M Lacs plan Catches Heat

[Lee Borgersen]

 Mille Lacs Winter Walleye Plan Catches Heat .

10/22/15      (see video)

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It's been a tough time for folks on Mille Lacs Lake in Garrison.
That's because the summer walleye season was cut short. Now that the weather is getting colder, attention is on the fate of ice fishing.
 
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The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources announced this week winter walleye fishing is a go, but there's a catch. It allows anglers to catch a certain amount - a collective 5,000 pounds over the ice fishing season. That's because the walleye numbers are near an all-time low.

And that concerns Mike Bezelheim.

"I've been fishing here for 50-55 years," he said.

He's so hooked on walleye, he lives on the lake too. Bezelheim is one of many who attended a meeting Wednesday night in Garrison, where the lake is located. Dozens showed up.

Tony Roach, a fishing guide, reacted to the limit.

"My concerns is the big elephant in the room, we don't know how good the bites will be. I'm concerned about the 5,000 mark," he said.

Tom Neustrom went on to say, "If you hit a hot streak, the season could be over in 2-3 weeks."

Meaning, another fishing season could be cut short and hurt the bottom lines of lakeside resorts. That's why the DNR met with folks who frequent the lake or own businesses or homes. Experts explained why the restriction on how much walleye can be taken out of the iced-over water.

"Now, the big thing is to keep those fish, keep 'em out there, to protect them, let them reach a size, age and mature to continue spawning to stock and rebuild the fishery," Melissa Treml of the DNR said.

Bezelheim calls the plan short-sighted.

"I care about the long term of businesses, not just this month or this winter," he said. "I care about more than a season. I care about decades; how about our children?"

The ice fishing season begins Dec. 1. Two questions still linger; how many walleyes can anglers catch and how big?

The DNR says it'll monitor the harvest monthly and in January see if adjustments need to be made.


Video:
http://kstp.com/article/stories/s3942827.shtml

[snow1]

Smoke and mirrors! Its really this simple,"BAN the Gdamn Gill Netts" nuff said!!! and fresh off the press,mille lacs IS at a 40year low as far as the walleye population goes,not "near a 30 year low"