Forest Service shuts down Cisco harvest in BWCA.

[greatoutdoors]

Three of us were just notified by the Forest Service last week that our Cisco trapping business at an area inside of the BWCA is now over. 
They say that they just became aware of this operation that's been going on for over 50 years, and BWCA Wilderness Bills do not allow for any commercial harvesting of bait. 
This will affect a large area of Minnesota that we supplied, from the Gunflint Trail, Grand Marais, Tofte, Schroeder, Ely, Virginia, Duluth, International Falls and other places that have bait shops handling the product.
The Ciscoes we sold were about 5-7 inches in length, and these will no longer be available at any shop we supplied.
I have been in contact with someone that will be able to supply us with legally tested,frozen Smelt that are legal, and we will be the only shop in Ely with these.
They will be available in two different sizes, 5-6 inches for Trout, and 8-9 inches for Pike, since Northern fisherman prefer a larger bait.

[Lee Borgersen]

Sorry to hear the bad news along with the negative financial impact this will generate. Sounds like the environmentalist groups are attacking from all sides. Come on now after 50 yrs. all of a sudden this pops up. Enviro groups will never stop until they have complete control over the forest service and DNR. They have the forest service running scared and drained of funds from court battles from frivolous law suites.

 They will eat their own young if needs be just to get their way. For example false clams against tow boat operators. Folks that help families of canoe folks that need tows. Many of them are elderly or have young children that can't paddle endless miles to reach remote destinations. Folks that cant risk paddling the dangers of miles of bad weather. Who do they depend on to rescue them in emergency situations. Tow boats and fisherman with motors.

I can't begin tell you how many times tow boats have rescued some of these same environmentalists from danger.

[greatoutdoors]

Yeah, as far as the towboats go, who pays to keep them in business??   
Canoeists, the same ones that want them banned!! 
It's just amazing that some cannot see it!!