On eating fish:
"I eat some, not a lot. Very seldom do I freeze any fish. I tell people, just take enough fish home for a meal and let the rest go. We need to preserve the fishery."
On conservation:
"Now we have fishing pressure year-round. These lakes cannot sustain that. It's really like balancing a checkbook -- you can only take out so much if you don't put anything in."
On opening the walleye season earlier:
"I don't like it. It's just common mathematics:
The more time people are allowed to fish, the
more fish people will take. It has to hurt the
fishery."
On fish limits:
"We need to consider reducing the limit on walleyes to maybe four. We should take a strong look at putting sunfish and crappie spawning areas off-limits for fishing. They're too easy to catch when they are spawning, and too many people go out and take their limit day after day."
On fishing's future:
"We hear fishing is better than ever. I disagree. It's good on many bodies of water, but my concern is with water quality changing and fishing pressure [increasing]. We need to reevaluate what we are doing out there."
On favorite lakes:
"I really don't have a favorite lake. I usually move around. I do have a permanent ice fishing house on Mille Lacs."
SOME TUMA TIPS...
• Most anglers get on the ice too late. The morning bite can be very good. Get out before sunrise.
• Don't be afraid to experiment with different lures, colors and jigging action.
• Try lighter line and lures. I usually tell people if you drop down a pound in test (line), you'll increase your success by 50 percent.
• If you have persistence, confidence and attitude, you'll always catch fish.
HEAR HIM ONLINE...
To hear a series of ice fishing podcasts -- audio broadcasts you can download or listen to on your computer -- by Terry Tuma and the DNR, go to www.startribune.com/a1161. The newest is mid- and late-season ice fishing for walleyes. Tuma also will give seminars on camping and fishing at the RV, Vacation & Camping Show this week at the Minneapolis Convention Center.
DOUG SMITH
