Outdoors Weekly News Archive

May 8, 2009 - TOP STORIES
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Governor's opener to be held on White Bear Lake

Minn. DNR auctions off 300 confiscated firearms

Youth turkey hunt creates excitement for youngsters

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Walleye season opens, a few changes
Walleye season opens May 9; few regulation changes

The one change that applies to walleye and northern pike is a new regulation that states the “one over” limit now apply to both possession and daily limits.

DNR News
When Minnesota’s walleye and northern pike season opens May 9, fishing regulations will be largely the same as last year.
The one change that applies to walleye and northern pike is a new regulation that states the “one over” limit now apply to both possession and daily limits. Previously, the “one over” regulation applied to the daily limit only.
“One over” applies when regulations protect fish of a designated size range on particular waters. Anglers are allowed to keep fish smaller than the size range and can keep one larger than the size range. The “one over” limit applies to the larger fish an angler can keep.

Other changes include:
• New experimental or special regulations on the St. Croix River, Inguadona and Rice lakes in Cass County, Coon Lake in Anoka County, Sylvia lake (East and West) in Wright County, Pearl Lake in Stearns County, and Red Lake in Beltrami County. Details are on pages 25-26 in the Department of Natural Resources fishing regulation booklet.
• Anglers may possess fish packaged by a licensed fish packer on waters with fish-size restrictions if the packaged fish will be used for a meal.
• Anglers who catch an asian carp must report the catch within seven days.
• A number of lakes have been added to the infested waters list because they now contain invasive species. These water bodies are identified in the fishing regulation booklet.

Anglers who fish Mille Lacs will see same regs
Anglers are required to release immediately all walleye 18-to 28-inches in length. The possession limit is four, with only one longer than 28 inches allowed. Similarly, anglers will be required to immediately release all northern pike 24-to 36-inches in length. The possession limit is three, with only one northern longer than 36 inches allowed
Anglers must release all smallmouth bass shorter than 21 inches (the possession limit is one) and release all muskellunge shorter than 48 inches. The muskellunge limit is one.
Lake Mille Lacs will have a night closure again this year. No one may fish for any fish species or possess fishing gear on the lake from 10 p.m. - 6 a.m. starting at 10 p.m. on May 11 and ending at 12:01 a.m. on June 8. The walleye and northern pike seasons open May 9.

Anglers collecting walleye stamp
More than 1,000 fishing enthusiasts have purchased Minnesota’s new walleye stamp that went on sale March 1.
The stamp, though not required to catch and keep walleye, is available now at all fishing license outlets. Proceeds will support walleye stocking. The stamp validation is $5. For $2 more, the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will mail the actual artistic collector’s stamp to your home.
“This is an ideal year to start a walleye stamp art collection for you or your children,” said Steve Michaels of the DNR’s License Center. “With a single purchase you support walleye stocking, acquire a piece of history and can begin a low-cost, life-long hobby.”

Governor's opener to be held on White Bear Lake

Dennis Merry named as fishing host for Governor Tim Pawlenty for the 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener
ST. PAUL - Dennis Merry, local avid White Bear Lake angler, has been selected to host Governor Tim Pawlenty and First Lady Mary Pawlenty for the 2009 Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener to be held on White Bear Lake on May 9.
“I’ve been fishing White Bear Lake four or five days a week over the years, but never imagined an opportunity like this would come along,” said Merry, who has guided on White Bear Lake for over 12 years, but now concentrates on fishing for pleasure.
Merry should have plenty of ideas on how to catch walleyes with his years of experience fishing White Bear Lake. He purchased his first boat at age 8.
“Fishing to me is a way of life. You only need a rod, a reel and a good attitude to have a successful day on the water. White Bear Lake has been a passion of mine since I was a young boy. This will be a great opportunity to show that the beauty and tranquilly of Minnesota’s 10,000 lakes is not limited to just the northern part of the state,” Merry said. “It’s my hope that the love of fishing and the great outdoors will continue to be celebrated by all those involved with the 2009 Governor’s Fishing Opener. I am looking forward to this experience with the Governor and First Lady”.

Well known White Bear Lake resident, Brad Stanius, tapped as Minnesota Lieutenant Governor’s fishing host
Well known White Bear Lake resident Brad Stanius has been named the fishing host for Lieutenant Governor Carol Molnau at this year’s Minnesota Governor’s Fishing Opener on White Bear Lake on May 9.
“I am delighted to host the Lt. Governor! We both have a strong interest in the outdoors,” said Stanius, who served in the state legislature with the Lt. Governor and together worked on outdoor recreation initiatives.
Stanius has a life-long attachment to the White Bear Lake community. He has served on the city council, as mayor, and as a state representative. But fishing has always been an important part of his life.
Stanius lives on White Bear Lake and spent most of his childhood on or near the water. “I’ve loved the outdoor lifestyle and enjoy sharing it with others”. He had is first successful fishing trip at the age of 12 when he took some visitors from Iowa bass fishing. Stanius has guided previous governors and other dignitaries including actor Jack Lemmon and his son while they were filming “Grumpy Old Men”.
For over 25 years, Stanius and his fishing partners were among the most successful walleye tournament anglers in the upper Midwest. He retired for tournament fishing in 1994, but continued to share his passion for the sport with friends and family which include 5 children and 10 grandchildren.
Stanius knows how competitive the Governor and Lt. Governor are when it comes to catching fish at the Opener. “I’ll be using my fishing experience to help the Lt. Governor have the winning edge. It will be a friendly, fun competition!”

For more information, go to www.mngovernorsopener.com

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Fishing: A popular pastime that’s a backyard boon for Minnesota

Just how big is fishing in Minnesota? Big enough that it contributes $4.7 billion to the state’s economy every year and attracts 1.4 million licensed anglers to Minnesota’s 11,842 lakes.

Let’s fillet those numbers into more digestible morsels:
• If every licensed angler ventured out at the same time, each of Minnesota’s 11,842 lakes would have to accommodate 118 anglers.
• One out of every five Minnesotans fish, meaning that 1.1 million of Minnesota’s 5.2 million residents pick up a fishing pole at least once during the year … and that’s not counting youth.
• Minnesota ranks fourth among states with the highest number of anglers. The top three states are Florida, Texas and California. Wisconsin is fifth, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS).
• As a percentage of population among those states, Minnesota boasts the largest number of resident anglers at 28 percent and is tied nationally with Alaska for the largest participation of resident anglers.
• Anglers spend $2.8 billion on fishing each year in Minnesota, according to the American Sportfishing Association’s (ASA) Sportfishing in America survey.
• Dollars directly spent on fishing in Minnesota create an additional $1.9 billion in economic activity, boosting angling’s total statewide economic impact to $4.7 billion, according to the ASA’s Sportfishing in America survey.
• Equipment (rods, reels, line, boats, trailers, etc.) accounted for $1.2 billion of the $2.8 billion spent. Trip-related expenses accounted for $860 million. Other expenses such as bait and equipment rental accounted for $646 million, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• Salaries, wages and business earnings directly related to fishing in Minnesota total $1.3 billion, according to the ASA’s Sportfishing in America survey.
• Fishing creates Minnesota 43,812 jobs, according to the ASA’ s Sportfishing in America survey.
• Minnesota angling generates $350 million in federal tax revenues and $342 million in state and local tax revenues, according to the ASA’s Sportfishing in America survey.
• In 2008, Minnesota fishing license sales generated $19 million in revenue.

Just who are these anglers and where are they from:
• Most resident anglers – 755,000 of them in fact – are from the seven-county metropolitan area. The remaining 388,000 resident anglers live outside the Twin Cities, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• Men account for 69 percent of resident anglers. Women account for 31 percent, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• The highest percentage of participation comes in the 35-44 year old age group. Most of the remaining participants come from the 45-64 year old age group, with those 16-24 years old accounting for only 12 percent of the people who fish, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• An estimated 40 percent of Minnesota anglers have household incomes of $50,000-$100,000. Households that make less than $50,000 annually account for 27 percent of Minnesota anglers, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS .
• An estimated 388,000 children ages 6-15 go fishing each year, with Twin Cities-area youth accounting for 76 percent of the total. More girls (52 percent) went fishing than boys (48 percent). Participation among age groups (6-8 years, 9-11 years and 12-15 years) remained fairly constant, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.

Finally, here’s a look at where these resident anglers go and what they’re trying to hook:
• Significantly more time is spent fishing on lakes rather than rivers and streams, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• The average Minnesota angler spends 20 days fishing each year, wit h 86 percent of resident anglers never fishing anywhere else but Minnesota, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• Only 3 percent of Minnesota anglers try their luck on Lake Superior, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• The most sought-after fish species, in order of preference, are walleye, bluegill, northern pike, crappie and bass, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.
• Most resident anglers spend nearly half their time fishing for walleye and bluegill, according to the National Survey of Fishing, Hunting and Wildlife-Associated Recreation conducted by USFWS.

Fishing Terms, A to Z
Words familiar to us can be foreign to others. As an example, take fishing. If you are an avid angler, terms such as jig, structure, back-trolling and crank baits are common. For the novice or casual angler, however, they might make no sense. For those new to fishing, here are some basic terms that might be helpful to know.

Angler/angling: An angler is a person who fishes; angling is another word for fishing.

Backlash: Tangled line on a bait casting reel. Tangled fishing line is also referred to as a bird’s nest.

Back-trolling: Technique in which the boat motor is put in reverse, allowing the boat operator to make sharper turns to follow changes in lake bottom structure.

Bait: Usually refers to live bait put on a hook (worms, minnows, insects, crabs, etc.)

Bait casting: Fishing with a revolving spool reel and bait casting rod; the reel is mounted on the topside of the rod.

Bobber: Also called a ‘float,’ they come in various shapes and sizes. They float on top of the water to keep the bait off the lake bottom and signal a fish bite by “bobbing” on the water.

Buzz bait: A large bait with propeller-type blades that churn when retrieved on top of the water.

Catch and release: The act of catching and immediately releasing a fish as a way to conserve the resource.

Crank bait: Minnow-like lure with a lip that causes the lure to dive under water during the retrieve; usually made from plastic or balsa wood.

Drifting: A method of fishing where the angler allows the boat to drift in the wind. Usually involves using live bait.

Flies: Lures made from fur, hair, feathers or synthetics tied to hooks; intended to resemble insects, larvae or minnows.

Fly-fishing: A preferred trout-fishing method using a special fly rod with either live or imitation flies tied to a hook.

Jerk bait: A soft or hard plastic bait resembling a small fish, usually fished by using quick jerks or yanking it to resemble a bait fish.

Jigs/jigging: Jigs are lures with a weighted head and a fixed hook often dressed with fur, feathers, or a plastic body/tail. Live bait can be added to the hook. Jigging is a technique in which the jig is moved up and down frequently.

Leader: Length of monofilament, wire or other stranded material tied between the end of the line and the lure or hook. Provides extra strength and guards against abrasion from sharp teeth or rough mouths of fish.

Livewell: Compartment in a boat that holds water in which to keep caught fish alive.

Lures: Artificial bait made to resemble live bait.

PFD: Personal Flotation Device, such as a life jacket or floating cushion.

Plugs: Type of lure made of wood, plastic or rubber and designed to imitate small minnows, fish, frogs, bugs, etc. Can be either floating or sinking.

Reel: Mechanical device that holds the fishing line. There are various types of reels, most notably spin-casting, spinning, bait-casting and fly-casting. Beginners are better off with a spin-casting reel.

Rod: The fishing pole, usually made of fiberglass, graphite or composite materials. Rods come in various lengths and strengths. Rods are available for fly fishing, spinning, spin casting, and bait casting.

Sinker: Weight used to sink lures in the water. Sinkers come in different weights, shapes, and types.

Slip-sinker: A sinker that slides up and down on the line rather than being locked in place.

Snap/snap swivel/swivel: A snap is a hook-shaped piece of wire with a clasp that is tied to a fishing line. A lure is attached to the snap. Snap swivels are the same concept but also help prevent line twisting.

Split-shot sinker: For the novice angler, this is the preferred sinker. These are very small round weights with a slit for the line. The slit in the weight is pinched together to hold the sinker in place.

Strike: A “hit” from a fish attempting to take a lure or bait.

Trolling: Fishing from a boat with the motor kept in forward gear at a slow speed. Live or crank baits are preferred for this type of fishing.

Zebra Mussels: Zebra mussels are an invasive species that foul beaches, interfere with food webs, smother native mussels, clog water intakes and are linked to fish and wildlife die-offs. Mussels attach to boat hulls, fishing equipment, nets and boat lifts. They can be transported on those materials or aquatic plants that remain on marine equipment and fishing tackle. Microscopic larvae may be carried in the water of undrained bait buckets or livewells. It is illegal to import, possess, transport and/or introduce zebra mussels into the wild.

Minn. DNR auctions off 300 confiscated firearms

ZIMMERMAN, Minn. (AP) – An auction of confiscated firearms has resulted in a standing-room-only crowd of bidders in Zimmerman this weekend.
State Department of Natural Resources warden Chad Thesing estimated Saturday's auction attracted more than 1,000 people.
The gear included nearly 300 shotguns and rifles that state officials confiscated from people who broke the law while hunting or fishing.
One bidder was Erin Conley, who started deer hunting about three years ago. She paid $475 for a Remington .30-06 rifle. She says she's not sure if it was a good deal, but she's glad she got it.
Gun buyers have to clear a federal background check before they can collect their purchases.
It was the first DNR firearms auction in about four years.

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Youth turkey hunt creates excitement for youngsters

See more stories and photos in the May 8 issue of Outdoors Weekly!

More than 300 youth from throughout Minnesota experienced their first wild turkey hunt April 18 and 19 during the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and National Wild Turkey Federation (NWTF) annual youth hunt.
Youth age 12 to 17 who never had purchased a turkey permit are eligible for the hunt provided they have firearm safety certification and attend a mandatory turkey hunting clinic. The hunt, which occurs the first Saturday and Sunday of each spring turkey season, has grown exponentially since the DNR and NWTF conducted the initial hunt in 2004.
Everyone had a great time, said Mike Kurre, DNR mentoring program coordinator. The NWTF mentors had as much fun maybe even more than the kids.
Youth hunted in 35 of Minnesota turkey permit areas this year. The hunters had a success rate of 42 percent, with 131 of 305 youth hunters taking a wild turkey. During the hunts first year in 2004, eight of 29 youth hunters took a bird a success rate of 27 percent.
Minnesota Viking center John Sullivan, a beginning hunter who caught the bug when the team drafted him in 2008, visited with youth hunters, their parents and NWTF mentors during the Saturday lunch near North Branch. Youth hunters from each permit area gathered at a nearby place to share their morning hunt experiences, have lunch and get a crack at door prizes.
After seeing these birds here, I’ve really got the bug, said Sullivan, a native of Greenwich, Conn. I cant wait to get out in the woods at a great time of year and try this myself.
Kurre said creating that kind of excitement for the outdoors and what it offers is the reason hundreds of NWTF volunteers throughout Minnesota put in hours of work each year finding private land on which to hunt, scouting birds and working with youth hunters and their parents or guardians.
They’re all working to create a bond with the outdoors today that will stretch into these kids futures, Kurre said.
Landowners interested in helping develop that bond can assist by allowing a youth to hunt wild turkey on their land. Rules of the hunt require that youths only hunt on private or specially designated lands.
Said Kurre: Landowners can help pass on the legacy by simply contacting their local NWTF chapter. They’re more than welcome to venture out in the field but they don’t need to.