Outdoor Notes Sept 4th

[Lee Borgersen]

  Outdoor Notes for Sept. 4

 
Mille Lacs Lake open water walleye season to close.

Walleye season closes on Mille Lacs Lake after fishing hours conclude on Monday, Sept. 4. Anglers fishing for all other species from shore, dock or pier may use live bait during daylight hours through Thursday, Nov. 30.

"We're pleased the DNR can fulfill the community's desire that shore fishing opportunities be available, particularly for children and families," said Brad Parsons, central region fisheries supervisor for the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources.

The live bait restriction remains in place for anglers in watercraft.

Anglers can fish for muskellunge and northern pike at night using artificial lures longer than 8 inches or sucker minnows longer than 8 inches. Bowfishing for rough fish also is allowed at night but possession of live bait or angling equipment is not allowed and only rough fish may be in possession.

With the final open water walleye season closure on Mille Lacs, anglers cannot target walleye when fishing for other species.

Deer lottery application deadline is Sept. 7

Firearms and muzzleloader hunters who want to harvest antlerless deer in a deer permit area designated as lottery this hunting season are reminded they must purchase their license by Thursday, Sept. 7. Hunters who purchase their license before this date are automatically entered into the lottery for the deer permit area or special hunt area they declare.

This season, antlerless deer permits are issued by lottery in 48 of Minnesota's 130 deer permit areas. No application is needed to take antlerless deer in permit areas with hunters choice, managed or intensive designations.

Hunters who want to participate in special firearm deer hunts also need to apply for permits that are issued through a lottery, and the application deadline is Sept. 7.

More information about deer permit areas, how their designations are set and special hunts is available on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/deer and in the 2017 Minnesota Hunting and Trapping Regulations Handbook.

DNR seeks comments on northern pike regulations for Sissabagamah and Long lakes in Aitkin County

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources will be hosting open houses this fall to gather input on the future of northern pike regulations on Sissabagamah Lake and Long Lake.

The first open house will be on Sept. 27 from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. at the DNR Central Office, 500 Lafayette Rd, St. Paul.

The second open house will be on Oct. 6 from 4:30 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the Aitkin DNR Office, 1200 Minnesota Ave. S., Aitkin.

These open houses are intended to provide background information, answer questions, and take public input on the future of experimental and special regulations on these waters, which may be modified, extended or dropped.

Experimental regulations for northern pike on Long Lake currently require that all pike from 24-36 inches must be immediately released. Possession limit is three, with only one over 36 inches. This regulation was implemented in 2003 to improve the size structure of the northern pike population in Long Lake.

Special regulations on Sissabagamah Lake require that all pike from 20-30 inches must be immediately released. Possession limit is three, with only one over 30 inches. This regulation was implemented as an experimental regulation in 1991 to improve angling for large northern pike on Sissabagamah Lake. In 2007, it was reviewed and retained as a special regulation.

"A statewide initiative was proposed last year that would manage northern pike with a three zone approach, with northeast, north-central and southern zones," said Aitkin area fisheries supervisor Rick Bruesewitz. "If that happens, the north-central zone approach that would be implemented here is expected to produce similar or better results, so the experimental and special regulations for these lakes may no longer be needed."

Comments on these regulations can also be mailed to Rick Bruesewitz, area fisheries supervisor, DNR Aitkin area fisheries, 1200 Minnesota Ave. S., Aitkin, MN 56431, or sent by email to aitkin.fisheries@state.mn.us. Comments will be accepted through Oct. 31.

The MN Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers to hold its first 'Pint Night' at Roundhouse Brewery

The Minnesota Chapter of Backcountry Hunters & Anglers will be holding a Pint Night

event at Roundhouse Brewery on September 14th. This casual event will kick off at 5:30 with a social hour and then a brief presentation. The event is for local members and anyone interested in learning more about BHA.

BHA seeks to ensure North America's outdoor heritage of hunting and fishing in a natural setting, through education and work on behalf of wild public lands and waters. The organization has a strongly held belief that freedom to hunt and fish depends on habitat, and that public lands provide some of the best habitat for our fish and wildlife.

BHA is a nonpartisan group of sportsmen and -women who are standing up for these places and for the outdoor opportunities they represent.

Learn more about BHA at its website at www.backcountryhunters.org/ as well as on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

Surplus permits available for Camp Ripley archery hunts

Hunters who missed the lottery deadline for the Camp Ripley archery hunt can purchase surplus permits on a first-come first-served basis beginning noon on Friday, Sept. 15. Hunters who already received a permit will not be allowed to purchase a surplus permit.

A total of 1,269 permits remain for the first hunt which runs Thursday, Oct. 19, and Friday, Oct. 20, while 513 permits remain for the second hunt which runs Saturday, Oct. 28, and Sunday, Oct. 29. A person may only purchase a permit for one of the hunts.

Hunters can purchase a surplus permit at any Minnesota Department of Natural Resources license agent or online at mndnr.gov/buyalicense. Permits will remain on sale as long as they are available, or until Friday, Oct. 6. The cost of the permit is $12.

Hunters will need to use surplus permit code 677 and then choose from one of the two hunt dates: Oct. 19-20 (Thursday and Friday, code 668) or Oct. 28-29 (Saturday and Sunday, code 669). Successful applicants will receive a hunt packet in the mail, which includes a notice that is required to enter Camp Ripley.

The bag limit for this year's hunt is one deer. Hunters may use their regular archery license, which is valid for either sex, or may use a bonus permit to take an antlerless deer. Additional rules and instructions are available on the DNR deer hunting web page at mndnr.gov/hunting/deer.

The archery hunt at Camp Ripley is an annual event. The DNR coordinates the hunt in collaboration with Central Lakes College Natural Resources Department, and the Department of Military Affairs.