MNFish

[glenn57]

so......there is quite the conversation about this group over on IDO. thought what the hay......anyone hear of this group..yea dutchy i know you did!!!!! the head cheese is supposed to be  Ron Schara. lets just say the conversation over there doesnt think much of them. supposedly the who's who of fishing in Minnesota are the names attached to this group.

i did get some info and flyer a long time ago to join, almost did but decided to wait until i actually seen what they do. anyone else get any info from them of join???

there supposed to be looking out for the best interests of the resource and outdoors people via brow beating the politicians!!!!!

dutchy brought it up over there and i agree.........wht doesnt MNFish use these forums to push there agenda and membership!!!!!

[Jerkbiat]

I've never heard of them. 

[roony]

If its the who's who of fishing why did they invite smurphy?

[glenn57]

I've never heard of them. 

thats the thing????i did a quick google search, and there dont have much of a website either from what i could see. 

the general complaint is there always brow beating for money and yet really have no way of communications to let people know what they are actually doing!!!!

[glenn57]

If its the who's who of fishing why did they invite smurphy?

they know who can fish!!!!!!!!! 

[HD]

Nope, never heard of it...

[glenn57]

Nope, never heard of it...

wowzer.......thats kinda crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dutchboy]

Nope, never heard of it...

wowzer.......thats kinda crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I been tryin to tell ya.   

[LPS]

I saw the commercial with Ron on the Sportsmans Channel I believe the last couple of days.  He says it is to help raise more walleye fingerlings to release and for better accesses to lakes for fishing.  ???  I wondered what to think about it too.  He has done a lot for hunting and fishing over the years but I wonder if he is having a hard time retiring. 

[roony]

I like his daughter more better

[glenn57]

Nope, never heard of it...

wowzer.......thats kinda crazy!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I been tryin to tell ya.   

I'm a believer now!!!

[Boar]

Ita a group dedicated to teach people how to fish, how to properly use a rod and reel, and thru time actually twaxh yu how to put line on yur reel. It why most of us hear have never hear of then and only reach out to glenn. Glenn i say go for it little buddy!!

[Pulleye16]

not a fan. I don't think we should have a private organization stocking fish or assisting in DNR agenda's. I've seen this in other fields where a private company comes in to "help assist," and before you know it, they are the ones in charge. MNFish has their own agenda, one of which was to raise money to build a shrine for themselves. They are VERY pro walleye, which scares me some. They want more public access and docks for shore fishing. While I love fishing and the great outdoors, I don't feel we need MORE access to our lakes...in fact, I think we need less access to help protect the lakes...which I'm sure is not a popular opinion. But, like the ATV world has done to forests, boating is ruining the lakes. Don't tar and feather me, I just think the lakes and woods should be peaceful and enjoying. Its been a shat show lately in both those areas. Well, thats my rant LOL

[glenn57]

Ita a group dedicated to teach people how to fish, how to properly use a rod and reel, and thru time actually twaxh yu how to put line on yur reel. It why most of us hear have never hear of then and only reach out to glenn. Glenn i say go for it little buddy!!

and we'll is it true then, that you where it's very first member??

[glenn57]

Pulley, I don't disagree with you that they may be self serving to a degree but my understanding they do want more improvement in accesses, not necessarily more. I could be wrong.

And yes I think they should be more then just a walleye thumping organization.

While I'd to like a quiet lake or woods I do disagree with you in regards to less access to these resources!

[Pulleye16]

Glen,

Yeah, I know it’s not a popular opinion regarding lake access. But not everything needs to be made available to everyone. And by everyone, I more or less mean the lazy. Lol. I’ve had two walk-in only lakes get ruined because they put in a road with a boat landing. Everyone had access to it but you had to carry your gear a few miles.  Boy the crappies used to be huge and plentiful.

My old hunting ground got over run when they put in a mile long road through the middle with a huge parking lot…everyone had access to it before, but not many wanted to walk that far.

I’ve had off road mountain bike trails ruined because they wanted to “improve” them so more people can use them. Now you could drive a geo metro down them.

Could you imagine what would happen to Mille lacs and it’s fishery if you allowed every resort to plow out roads all over the lake in the winter making access to hundreds of thousands of fisherman?

https://www.kare11.com/amp/article/news/local/ice-fishing-popularity-grows-so-does-waste-garbage-left-behind/89-066216f7-44fa-4e46-a995-435eb1befe0f

The more people that you have, or that have access to something, the more problems.

I’m not trying to be greedy, just responsible.

But, that’s just me and my reasons for not joining. 

[LPS]

Just like what has happened to LOW up here.  It has turned into a trash dump in the winter time. 

[Steve-o]

It looks to me like MN-Fish is more of a Political Action Committee than a conservation group.

Groups like Ducks Unlimited and Pheasants Forever and Trout Unlimited work with local governments and private citizens to coordinate habitat conservation projects.  Some government advocacy, but lots of hands-on volunteer work too.

I'm not sure Ron wants to work that hard.  I think he just wants to schmooze legislators as a lobbyist and have MN-Fish pick up the tab.

I could be wrong.

[glenn57]

Glen,

Yeah, I know it’s not a popular opinion regarding lake access. But not everything needs to be made available to everyone. And by everyone, I more or less mean the lazy. Lol. I’ve had two walk-in only lakes get ruined because they put in a road with a boat landing. Everyone had access to it but you had to carry your gear a few miles.  Boy the crappies used to be huge and plentiful.

My old hunting ground got over run when they put in a mile long road through the middle with a huge parking lot…everyone had access to it before, but not many wanted to walk that far.

I’ve had off road mountain bike trails ruined because they wanted to “improve” them so more people can use them. Now you could drive a geo metro down them.

Could you imagine what would happen to Mille lacs and it’s fishery if you allowed every resort to plow out roads all over the lake in the winter making access to hundreds of thousands of fisherman?

https://www.kare11.com/amp/article/news/local/ice-fishing-popularity-grows-so-does-waste-garbage-left-behind/89-066216f7-44fa-4e46-a995-435eb1befe0f

The more people that you have, or that have access to something, the more problems.

I’m not trying to be greedy, just responsible.

But, that’s just me and my reasons for not joining.

and I respect your opinion!!

And Steve-O.. I kinda think so to, there goal is to push politicians  but as they have stated there is no group to advocate for fisherman at the capital.

[Boar]

Glen,

Yeah, I know it’s not a popular opinion regarding lake access. But not everything needs to be made available to everyone. And by everyone, I more or less mean the lazy. Lol. I’ve had two walk-in only lakes get ruined because they put in a road with a boat landing. Everyone had access to it but you had to carry your gear a few miles.  Boy the crappies used to be huge and plentiful.

My old hunting ground got over run when they put in a mile long road through the middle with a huge parking lot…everyone had access to it before, but not many wanted to walk that far.

I’ve had off road mountain bike trails ruined because they wanted to “improve” them so more people can use them. Now you could drive a geo metro down them.

Could you imagine what would happen to Mille lacs and it’s fishery if you allowed every resort to plow out roads all over the lake in the winter making access to hundreds of thousands of fisherman?

https://www.kare11.com/amp/article/news/local/ice-fishing-popularity-grows-so-does-waste-garbage-left-behind/89-066216f7-44fa-4e46-a995-435eb1befe0f

The more people that you have, or that have access to something, the more problems.

I’m not trying to be greedy, just responsible.

But, that’s just me and my reasons for not joining.

and I respect your opinion!!

And Steve-O.. I kinda think so to, there goal is to push politicians  but as they have stated there is no group to advocate for fisherman at the capital.

In regards to milacs coment... yes i can imagine. You get lake of the woods... i used to have a great bear spot on pub land, no one touched it, but got so tired when the DNR would mower the walking trials juat prior to grouse hunting. Ruined it for me, yes ive take abear of that site but got more picture of grouse hunter than anything else

[Gunner55]

  'Bout the only place I hear of it is when I watch http://mnbound.com/ as there's usually a commercial for it near the end of the show. Not real big of the show either but often there's not much to watch in the AM on the weekend, so I'll check it out.

[Steve-o]

I gotta apologize for the cheap shot I took at Ron.  There is no doubt he is committed to MN outdoors.

And there is a place for PACs and lobbyists - especially in this state when certain perspectives dominate the public forum.

I guess all I was saying is that I hope they aren't selling themselves to be more than they are.  And given the fact that virtually no one has heard of them...  They probably aren't.

[dutchboy]

The founders are a group of very talented, successful, smart businessman. Their idea is to lobby St. Paul for funds to get things fishing related things done. Very good idea. They initially offered free memberships, this I believe was to show St. Paul they were a large organization with a large voting membership. Shortly after they started selling memberships to raise money. Again, not a bad idea. 

Here is where it went off the rails for me. Their egos wouldn't let them convey to the anglers of Minnesota what they were up to. Since the beginning until about 2 weeks ago nobody knew what they were up to. No e-mails, no posts here or on IDO, nothing to their members, no public announcements. It was as if they were ghosts.

A couple of weeks ago it comes out they have this big pow wow planned with the DNR, Strommen & Herr Walz. They also announced they had or were in the process of hiring lobbyist. Nobody knew how or if you could attend unless invited. As of today those questions still haven't been answered.

I'm still trying to find out what went down yesterday. I would expect a announcement begging for more money but not explaining what was going on or the progress.

I've been told to be patient, just join and see what happens. Every time I think ya maybe I should I start thinking about what happened on Mille Lacs. The DNR circled the wagons and kept everything inside their little office in St. Paul (actually huge building) there isn't and never was any transparency regarding the discussions with GLIFIC on lake management. They (DNR) formed a lake advisory committee to make recommendations regarding management. To my knowledge they have never once considered what was offered by the committee. The committee is nothing more than a PR move to say hey..." we have a citizens committee what more do you want."

Back to MN-FISH & the DNR. MN-FISH gives me the same slimey feeling as when I think of the DNR. They want to operate with no accountability or responsibility to the people paying the bills.

Each year the DNR receives taxpayer money (plus license fee's) from the state to manage our fishing resource. Part of that money is for stocking and maintaining the lakes and accesses. MN-FISH announced they were going after $90+ million dollars of the surplus (taxpayer money) to repair accesses and fix up the fish hatcheries. Lets assume MN-FISH is successful. What happens to the money (tax payer money) that goes into the DNR coffers to do the same job? Aren't the tax payers being bent over and taking it in the butt twice? Unless of course you believe they will double up on the money for accesses and hatcheries.

Without accountability and transparency how are we to know? This whole thing (MN-FISH / DNR) smells just like the bedroom arrangement the DRN has with GLIFWIC.

There ya have it. As Glenn knows I get a little opinionated at times. At times I get opinionated and pissed off.

MN-FISH can kiss my  before they get a nickel from me until I know what they are doing.

Rant over.

[glenn57]

 Nicely put and very well explained Dutchy!!

And I even mostly agree with your opinions.... Now your taste in beer....

[Dotch]

"I've been told to be patient, just join and see what happens."

*cough* Obamacare *cough*

[Jerkbiat]

Nicely put and very well explained Dutchy!!

And I even mostly agree with your opinions.... Now your taste in beer....

I like his taste in beer. 
And like LPS said we are seeing the full effects of resorts plowing roads all over the lake. The fishery is going to heck in a hand basket. The worst part is the idiot resorts are just shooting themselves in the foot. Pulley was spot on.

[snow1]

Also never herd of this org....sounds likew I'm not missing much.

Gotta agree with pulley,well stated,as far as mille lacs,resorts plowing hiways...kinda over these days icefishing,maybe open water as well,no keep walleye program has wounded the local businesses,another dnr shete show with no future for us non-natives fishing this once great walleye lake.

Not sure about shara's agenda? I do know alot of our walleye pro guyz have a very low opinion of him,not sure what shara has done to they're sport?

[LPS]

The whole Mille Lacs thing in my opinion is that the white people involved have no back bone anymore.  That means with every subject.  They are letting this basically no fishing thing go on and the resorts are closing and the indians are taking over the lake.  Just as they planned it.  LOW will end up in a similar situation I do believe.  Except here it will actually be over harvest.  Not the fake overharvest of white man on Mille Lacs.

[Jerkbiat]

Well put LPS!!! 

[dutchboy]

My biggest gripe with the Mille Lacs thing is how stupid the fisherman are. If it's a wet cold opener the casino parking lot will be filled with trucks & boats financing the very institution trying to kill the lake. Shame on all of them.