Labor Day is usually a sign in many circles, that the party is over. Warm summer weather fades into early fall levels as the boats leave the lakes during the week just like the kids leave the playgrounds and city parks. So, looking south over the big lake at this time of year can create reflections from the past 3 months. Here is a portion of how I see things now, as summer at the big lake is now in everyone's wake.
Walleye fishing has been good at the big lake this open water season. Better than average for many. A good mix of keepers in the livewells is always the ultimate goal for walleye hunters. Sure, releasing some bigger fish is fun but when it comes to walleyes, admit or not, it comes down to the fact, they are the most sought after table fare that swims. Lottsa a good eatin' for many while at mighty Lake Mille Lacs in 2010. And it ain't over yet! For some, the bite hasn't slowed--just changed as summer winds down. And there's at least 6 more weeks left of fair weather to fry up more.
The muskie hunting is still a mystery, as I see it from my perch, compared to the past 15 or more years. I can't seem to be convinced the population is anything close to what it was 5 years ago and the previous 10 years to that. Actually, the muskie bite is and has been good. But finding one or more to cast to, is the battle. No doubt, as usual, when I find a couple here and there, I can make them attack. The key word is "find". How one does that on consistent basis, as we did over the past few years, is another story. The size of the fish we see and catch is world class. But my casting arms hurt almost as much as my head hurts after trying to find just one!
Typically, unlike the spring time chatter, gill nets are not a part of the local vocabulary this time of year. But I think that should change! That subject should be bigger than ever as election times draw closer. How can you talk it down in the spring and not be very vocal about it at a time the change you want to see could be effected by election outcomes? Yet local media is not forced to or open-minded about the local issue enough, to challenge the politicians on the subject. What are the various levels of potential state Senators and Representatives views on the subject? Will the next Governor allow the state to NOT charge state citizens who put gill nets in Minnesota waters next spring? As the present regime has done to this point with the Tribal members that did so illegally at Lake Bemidji the day before the 2010 Fishing Opener? Could it happen at Lake Mille Lacs next spring, where many non-Tribal citizens will fish for and harvest walleyes with out getting charged? Or will clear discrimination take place as the Tribal members net 60 or more tons of walleyes again? (on that note, my harvest of ONE walleye in the spring of 2010, the same day the Bemidji violators got a pass so far, will be in Aitkin County court November 9th.) What is the clear stand on the potential of most of northern Minnesota natural resources being ruled by the Tribes, beyond the shores of the mess already at Lake Mille Lacs, from our state and local politicians/candidates? Why does the media hide from the issue and give them a free pass on a key element of northern Minnesota voters lives? The subject looks clouded at best, from my perch high above Lake Mille Lacs waters. Who in the media will respresent over half the voters in the state and ask the questions? Which candidate will side with over 2 million voters against gill-netting their walleyes while the walleyes spawn?
In the meantime, we are still fishing at the big lake, now almost by ourselves during the week, and still frying FRESH walleye fillets. Contact Steve at 651-270-3383 or sf1954@embarqmail.com
