Let’s consider the fish within a slot limit.
Minnesota’s Lake Mille Lacs for example had a recent walleye slot (which expires Nov. 30) of 20 to 23 inches with one over 28 inches. The new slot begins Friday, Dec. 1, when Mille Lacs anglers can keep one walleye 21 to 23 inches long or one longer than 28 inches. I was wondering how old those walleyes were in the slot, so I did some investigating.
I’ve been working on lakes for more than 40 years, and one thing I’ve learned is that not all knowledge comes from books. The best tips, observations, and insights have come from longtime anglers and lake observers. It’s local knowledge.
A few years ago, I was having a beer at a northwoods tavern with some locals, and the discussion veered into the old logging days. Little Bearskin Lake (Wisconsin) had a lot of shoreline log cabins, and I asked why. The backstory was that at the turn of the century, loggers went on strike, and the boomed logs on the lake froze into the ice over winter.
The Minnesota waterfowl-hunting season opened Sept. 23, and ducks should have been enjoying a smorgasbord, because aquatic plants were extra-abundant in lakes and ponds this summer.
A number of factors contributed to impressive aquatic plant growth, including low lake water levels, June heat, and clear water. Sunlight penetration and heat are perfect ingredients for promoting plant growth. Several abundant aquatic plants observed in plant surveys I conducted this year were water celery, sago pondweed, and water stargrass.
Reports coming across my desk indicate it’s been a weedy summer in many Minnesota lakes: plants clogging personal watercraft propellers, pontoon motors operated in reverse to clear weeds, and uprooted plants washing ashore. Although these are recreational problems, I’ve investigated how plants might be affecting fish and anglers.
Boiling lakes are typically associated with geothermal activity. McComas was investigating dewatering impacts of an open-pit gold mine in Nevada a few years ago.
As midsummer lake conditions approach, several things can be counted on: swimmer’s itch, algal blooms, and predictions that don’t always pan out.
What’s interesting is that every year, a lake can be different. This spring, high lake water levels, a deep snowpack, and murky water from high runoff muted sunlight and likely contributed to lower curlyleaf abundance in some lakes. Next year could be a different story.
The history of Minnesota DNR Fisheries can be traced back to the Minnesota Fish Commission, which was created in 1874. DNR Fisheries was involved in stocking various fish species, and one of its priorities was stocking common carp in Minnesota lakes.
New findings from wintertime settings indicate algae are important under the ice, and shorter ice seasons have ramifications for summertime conditions as well.
For a limited time, you can get full access to breaking news, all original Outdoor News stories and updates from the entire Great Lakes Region and beyond, the most up-to-date fishing & hunting reports, lake maps, photo & video galleries, the latest gear, wild game cooking tips and recipes, fishing & hunting tips from pros and experts, bonus web content and much, much more, all on your smartphone, tablet or desktop For just a buck per month!
Some restrictions apply. Not valid with other promotions. $1 per month for 6 months (you will be billed $6) and then your subscription will renew at standard subscription rates. For more information see Terms and Conditions. This offer only applies to OutdoorNews.com and not for any Outdoor News print subscriptions. Offer valid thru 3/31/23.
Already a subscriber to OutdoorNews.com? Click here to login.
