The More Input, The Better The Solution
We have compiled a list of 17 questions concerning the health of the Devils Lake Basin as a fishery. Feel free to answer all, some, or none.
The questions can be answered either in the comments section or sent to our email ([email protected]). In a week, we will tabulate the responses and share with you, our viewership, the results.
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Who should have input on Devils Lake Fishing Regulations?
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Why the ruckus over walleyes?
Why not over Perch?
Why not over Pike?
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What, in your eyes is a keeper Walleye on Devils Lake?
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What is a keeper pike?
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What is a keeper Perch?
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Would you support a closed fishing period on Devils Lake?
Why?
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Would you support a slot limit on Devils Lake?
Why?
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Would you support a slot limit for guided anglers only?
Why or Why Not?
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Would you support a Spring Closed Area?
Why or Why Not?
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Would you support a Spring Slot area?
Why or Why Not?
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Are the fisheries in Minnesota and Wisconsin, 2 closed season and slot limit states, in considerably better or considerably worse condition than Devils Lake?
Why or Why Not?
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Many fishermen are up in arms about the “Spawn Slaughter” in the northern end of the basin, many guides and tournament fishermen are complaining about the keeping of large spawning walleyes. These are the same fish that those same guides and tourney fishermen sometimes remove from the fishery, isn’t that a huge conflict of interest or catch 22?
Why or Why Not?
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Should fishing tournaments be regulated on Devils Lake?
Should they be catch and release only?
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If a Walleye Spawns and lays 100,000 eggs, statistically, how many of those eggs reach adulthood?
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What is the average distance a spawning walleye will travel upstream from its ‘home waters’?
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Do your concerns apply to a statewide closing/slot limit or are they limited to strictly the Devils Lake Basin?
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Who in your eyes is doing more damage, the ‘locals’ or the ‘out of staters’?
Why?
Feel free to pose any other pertinent questions that you believe also need to be answered about this somewhat controversial subject.
Good Luck out there!
Hold On To Your Rod…
And…
CATCH MORE FISH!!
1. Game and Fish…enforcement, fisheries, etc. Public can have say via advisory boards. People who profit from it should have a stake too, but weighed accordingly…
2. abundance, table fare, become accessable pre-spawn.
there is
nuisance fish
3. 14 -21 inches
4. none
5. big enough to clean both sides…no idea on size, 8 inches???
6. Yes. I think the fishery is either deteriorating or low point in cycle.
7. No, I don’t think enough research is done to make it fishery specific. It would take a decade to see results from a general one
8. No, don’t believe they are the issue
9. Funny enough no…I dont think the fishery in these areas has been damaged…YET, and dont think the spring run fishing is as harmful as others.
10. No…
11. Worse, but still hidden treasures. Think it’s pressure related. Think DL is heading that way. I like to use Creel as an example. That has been the area that has had the cabins and resorts and campers 15 years ago. That has been spreading rampant across the lake the last 10 years. The quality of fish has deteriorated to what the fish were like in Creel 15 years ago. Pelican and Irvine havn’t seen the huge boom in trailers yet. Fish of better quality in those areas.
12. Is there evidence that these fish would even return to flats or main bay??? Would be interested to see weights of a “hypothetical” tourney held on Irvine
13. Not any further than they are now…maybe less numbers???
14. 2 % or less???
15. No clue
16. Statewide. Although a slot to encourage catch and release, shore lunch, and not bringing any fish back for tourists sounds good…17. the locals are doing more damage as there has been a huge increase in the number of these “locals”…It looks like MN in spots, wall to wall campers and houses.
12.
1. leave it to the biologists
2. Because everyone thinks they are a biologist
3. 12 to 18 inches
4. All of them
5. 10 to 14
6. No, as of right now the lake is doing just fine. It’s not broke don’t try to fix it.
7. Never! I am a former Minnesota resident and have seen very few positives from slot regulated fisheries. Reduced limits are way better then slots
8. No! No slots!
9. There already is. It’s called the lake Alice refuge.
10. Nooooooooooooo!! So many people don’t know how to handle fish! Keep them out of the water to long and are too foul hooked to release.
11. You will not find a fishery in Minnesota that is consistently as good as devils lake period
12. Everyone is entitled there opinion
13. With smart phones now days no one should ever have to bring a fish in to get weighed, but the lake is still fine so leave it alone.
14. Google it
15. Google it
16. I live here so I am more concerned about this lake.
17. What damage? This is the best fishery I have ever fished. It seems to be doing just fine so leave it alone.
No matter what time of year, eggs or not, when you remove a fish from the system that is one less fish that will spawn.. Things are good, leave them be.
1. Anyone who buys a ND annual fishing licences 2. Don,t know 3. 13inches and up. 4.Every pike should be harvested. 5. 9 inches and up. 6. No, ND mother nature keeps fisherman off the lake at times year round 7.No slots , slots don,t work. 8. No slots 9. No closed area 10. no 11.They have many more fisherman per capita ,they need to conserve with slots and closed seasons. 12. These fisherman should wanna throwback the females,until they spawn,then havest them. 13.There are wardens eh. 14. Where I live we hope for 1% make it to adulthood. 15.Don’t know.16.Neither 17.Locals for sure,Nd unlimited storage in ones residence,is ridiculous.I bet there is lots of waste,feezer burnt fillets thrown away ,oh well just go get some more!