Not a good showing for the DNR.

[Leech~~]

Sent this to the Brainerd Fisheries HQ, we will see what his reply is? 

Good Morning Supervisor Marc Bacigalupi

I was out on Edwards Lake last Wednesday when your crew was pulling test nets.  Very nice guys and they shared a lot of lake info.

After the storm last Friday night these two nice Walleye 20”-23” wash up at WildWoods RV Resort for a few 100 folks to see. 

I understand the need to take stomach content samples and that fish will die to do that, but most non-fishing folks or fisherman who have not caught many Walleye all summer on Edwards may just not understand it and see it as waste. 

Not sure if the guys just missed the buckets and the fish went over board or they took the sample and dumped them back in the lake?

Just not a good showing for the general public. 

Thanks for your time and ask the guys to hit the buckets a little better! 

Thanks.  Steve

[mike89]

 

[Gunner55]

 

[Dotch]

 

Not good to see them going to waste. Could store them in the 6 million dollar morgue! 

[roony]

Wanton Waste, a crime according to the regulations

[Leech~~]

Their reply.
If I knew they sunk um all, I would have brought my snorkel gear! 

Dear Steve,

Those do appear to be walleyes that were caught in our survey nets.  Unfortunately, fish are killed in the survey, but they represent a small fraction, less than 1%, of the population.  They are put to good use; fish are counted, examined for sex, maturity, bony structures such as scales and otoliths are removed to determine the age of the fish, disease, condition and stomach contents are noted.  It is standard practice to cut the air bladder of the fish and return the fish to the waterbody (recycle the nutrients), it is unfortunate that in rare cases, trapped air bubbles from a decomposing fish (occurs exclusively with warm water temperatures that we are currently experiencing) brings it back to the surface.  Thank you for bringing our attention to this matter, and for communicating with your patrons.  We will prevent this from reoccurring.  Let us know if you’re interested in the survey results, or other information.  Edward walleye numbers appear to have rebounded to levels surveyed in 1997- 2002; Edward is surveyed every 6 years.

Regards,


Marc Bacigalupi
Fisheries Area Supervisor | Fish and Wildlife Division

[glenn57]

yea, you really don't want to get me started on what I think of the fisheries dept.

[mike89]

why the heck can't they keep them and donate the dang things...  still going with wanton waste....

[LPS]

I wish we could kill a rough fish and throw them back.  Legally that is...

[Jerkbiat]

why the heck can't they keep them and donate the dang things...  still going with wanton waste....

That is my thought too. Should be cleaned and donated to food banks or retirement homes.

[Gunner55]

yea, you really don't want to get me started on what I think of the fisheries dept.