I don't think there are more fishermen in the open water season, as I can very well remember LOTS of boats at parking ramps many many years ago when Nate little, but last winter did see TONS of pressure and if there was alot of fish kept then its certainly going to hurt the population bigtime. Last winter saw a good bite for many months which is something we haven't seen for many years as our ice season has been alot shorter than it use to be up til last year. We have also seen the water levels bounce up and down more often this year too which can throw the bite off. Its VERY important that we ALL remember that this is a small delicate [its not big like the Mississppi River or huge lakes] fishery and if we want good fishing we MUST put most fish back. I'm not saying its not ok to keep some fish for a meal once in awhile but we need to put most back, especially the big ones [the better spawners and better genetic fish] back or we will destroy the gem we have in our backyard so to speak. Granted not every year can be ''hot'' years but we, the fishermen, can help determine how many hot years we get by taking care of the fishery and putting most back. As far as lowering the limit on Lake Zumbro, you bet. I'm definately in favor of that. Thats another step in helping to preserve this fishery. Anyone else feel that the limit should maybe be lowered on the lake along with a push for selective harvest?
I myself have only been out on Lake Zumbro on Thursday nights this summer with the exception of a couple Saturday mornings so I am anxious to hear what others think. The Thursday night onlys is going to change so hopefully I will get a better feel for whats going on. Seems like we have had a storm come through right before the event time on Thursdays which will affect the bite on those nights but I'm not hearing anyone saying the bite on other nights has been great either. Hows the bite been for you? What have you noticed? Thanks, Bill
I'm certainly in favor of some special regs on Lake Z regarding size and quantity of fish kept. Maybe the lake should also be classified as "barbless only" so that the mortality rate of bass from the frequent tournaments will decrease. I agree the lake cannot sustain the pressure it has seen in recent months.
The lake can tolerate pressure. It cannot tolerate all of the multi-limits of fish some people think they are entitled to over the course of a few days.
-------------------- Plastics: making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys!
CT
Quote: I'm certainly in favor of some special regs on Lake Z regarding size and quantity of fish kept. Maybe the lake should also be classified as "barbless only" so that the mortality rate of bass from the frequent tournaments will decrease. I agree the lake cannot sustain the pressure it has seen in recent months.
There's only 1 little tourney on Tuesday's (for bass) that I know of and I havent seen a dead fish come in all year. Plus we arent keeping them anyhow, so going "barbless" wont change a thing.
Just a thought....When people are on this site and others, always talking about the fishing on lake Zumbro and how to catch them and how great it is and that everyone should get out and try it, what do you expect will happen? I believe alot of the extra pressure on Zumbro is a product of internet fishing sites.
Well Coyote, according to others who fish the lake more than me, there are always dead bass floating the lake the next day. Same goes true for the sunnies and crappies. I know there are at "least" 3 tourneys on the lake each week, small for sure (<20 boats). I don't know if barbless hooks are even 1 iota of the answer but I do know that barbless hooks for trout sure up their survival ratio once released. This is getting to be a very emotional topic with some of us oldsters in the Rochester area. Perhaps the DNR will help us out with some thoughts and ideas.
Well Lungeye, I've been talking to a few guy's that fish the Tuesday night tourney's(I fish them also) and no one knows about two other tourneys that you say go on. All I know is the guy's that fish the Tuesday night tourneys work hard at quality fish care once the fish is in there livewells. If you truely want things hosed up, get the on that DNR involved Enough said on that topic. Just because you "oldster" have fished the Zum longer than must of us doesnt mean we youngsters dont feel the same as far as the future of the Zumbro. Eric's post above is very,very true.
In all of my years of fishing that lake, I have never seen dead bass floating all over except for maybe one that got deep hooked by someone and those very, very few instances are more than likely from a live-bait user.
Bill Cadwell and Nate have a Thursday night tournament and that about caps it except for the Eagles Club 1 day tournament earlier in the year. The Thursday night tourneys are lucky to see seven boats. There was a Saturday tournament that died early on this summer, but it got very little attention.
I think the issue Cadwell brought before us was dealing with panfish and that shots like this taken at the bass anglers is a cheap shot. Also, another site has this conversation going on and it is pretty much leaning not to blame the tournaments, but is looking more at the illegal fishing activities taking place by a select few.
I say this thread needs to continue but not by aiming cheap shots at a group of anglers who have shown nothing but respect for that lake. Keep the bass commentary out of this.
-------------------- Plastics: making better fishermen without bait! Good Fishing Guys!
CT
Quote: In all of my years of fishing that lake, I have never seen dead bass floating all over except for maybe one that got deep hooked by someone and those very, very few instances are more than likely from a live-bait user.
Bill Cadwell and Nate have a Thursday night tournament and that about caps it except for the Eagles Club 1 day tournament earlier in the year. The Thursday night tourneys are lucky to see seven boats. There was a Saturday tournament that dies early on this summer, but it got very little attention.
I think the issue Cadwell brought before us was dealing with panfish and that shots like this taken at the bass anglers is a cheap shot. Also, another site has this conversation going on and it is pretty much leaning not to blame the tournaments, but is looking more at the illegal fishing activities taking place by a select few.
I say this thread needs to continue but not by aiming cheap shots at a group of anglers who have shown nothing but respect for that lake. Keep the bass commentary out of this.
OK guys, not meant to throw darts at anybody here EXCEPT the meat hogs you guys talk about and have seen on the water/ice. I personally have not seen dead bass (as I mentioned I read it here) so my apologies to you bass guys...I'm just one of many wanting to keep this fishery healthy and well managed.
not trying to fan the flames but I have personally seen many a dead bass floating in the lake, along with bow shot carp, dead gills & crappies. I elluded to tourneys as 1 possible cause on another forum. but I believe CT & know the non ethical multi-limit keepers are to blame not the 15-30 guys fishing tourneys once a week. C&R guys (like myself) & tourney fishers promote a healthy fishery as we want to continue catching great fish from our favorite lakes and rivers. it is a shame there isn't more policing going on, being the Rochester area "mecca" should have a CO on full duty during peak hours IMO.
I have NEVER seen a dead floating bass out there. In fact I can't ever remember seeing a dead floating panfish either. On Thursdays if fishing the event you are allowed to weigh in 4 gills and 4 crappies, thats all. ALOT less than a limit of each if you were not fishing the event and wanted to keep fish for a meal. I personally never keep fish, I don't eat fish. I put them back so they can be caught another day. The fish seen and heard about being caught during this open water season lends me to believe that way too many fish were kept by people ice fishing last season. We MUST practice selective harvest for those who want fish for a meal and practice carefull catch and release for those not wanting to keep fish. This needs to be very much stressed/pushed in order to maintain a good fishery no matter what body of water a person is talking about. Other than the amount of pleasure boats on weekends I don't believe there are anymore people out there fishing than I use to see many years ago. I was out yesterday [Sunday] and the lake had a ton of boats on it but only saw maybe a dozen boats fishing. Thanks, Bill
I am to agree with eronn he has a very true point to the amount of action on that lake and it is internet fishing. What ever happened to the "SECRET" fishing hole?? And the "SECRET" lures? Posting on the internet invites the people and shows them what to use therefor they tell a buddy who tells a buddy and so on. The people posting are worried about the lake after they have told how many thousands of people exactly where at what.
Thank you for your response. It shows you care about our resources [fisheries]. You will notice that ''spots'' are not given out in reports. Techniques and the lures yes but never spots. We will point people in the right direction but its up to them to catch the fish. Some succeed and some don't. Do I have all the answers, certainly not. But I am willing to share what I do know or learn, to help others enjoy their time on the water more. People seeing me on the water will see me fishing many different places on that body of water. I like to learn more about different areas so I mix my fishing up with fishing some spots I know and alot of spots that I don't know and may not hold fish. The only way to see if it holds fish that are willing to bite is to try it out. That must be why they call it ''fishing'' and not ''catching.'' The internet can have, and is having, a very big influence on people catching and relesing and also on selective harvest. It can teach/express the importance of taking care of a fishery by letting the big ones go and only keeping what you will eat in a meal. The days of keeping everything a person catches are long gone and through magazines, fishing shows, and through internet fishing sites anglers are learning more about releaseing fish and doing what it takes to benefit the fishery. And you know what is cool about this internet site? Its that I can learn just as much from your sharing/posting as you can from my sharing/posting. We ALL learn from each other here. And that helps to make all of us not only better fishermen but also better at protecting our fisheries too by putting fish back to be caught another day. Thanks, Bill
I used to fish the mighty Zumbro pretty hard during the hard water period several years ago. Seems Lake Zumbro would be a great candidate to be managed for quality fish. Nobody wants that fishery to become stunted like the fairbault fisheries. Pressure will kill small fisheries no doubt about it. This isn't really a pointing the finger issue, and all lakes have a few game hogs. Hopefully if they are operating outside the confines of the law you are turning them in to proper authorities. The fact is fisherman are becoming much efficient at catching all species. I know nobody want more rules and regs, but a reduction in limits for your fishery and some size restrictions may do you well in the future. Here on Rainy Lake some very wise men instituted some special regs for our fishery before it was "COOL". It has payed off huge. Our fishery continues to get stronger year in and year out with lots of big fish being caught and released "PROPERLY". Sure there are those who didn't like it at first, but it is much better to be proactive than reactive on something like this. Just thought I'd interject a little non-biased opinion. I think all those who really care should gather together and join as one to try get something resolved. You all surely have the fisheries best interest in mind, and your on the same team. Even if some of you guys are bass guys! LOL!
-------------------- Chris Granrud - RainyDaze Guide Service World-Class Walleye, Crappie, Pike & Smallmouth Bass Fishing! Visit RainyDaze Guide Service to book your next adventure!
Quote: Just a thought....When people are on this site and others, always talking about the fishing on lake Zumbro and how to catch them and how great it is and that everyone should get out and try it, what do you expect will happen? I believe alot of the extra pressure on Zumbro is a product of internet fishing sites.
The internet has make more pressure not just at Lake Zumbro but Silver Creek, Willow Creek and other resivoirs around town. It is the same for pool 4. How many guys do you see walleye fishing in the winter now compared to even a few years agao?
Lundg, I have fished the Tuesday night Bass tournaments for years now. I have never and I mean never seen a dead bass floating. If a bass were to die in the live well, they are taken home, not throwen in the water. I have seen some pan fish floating over the years, but very, very few.
Like Coyote said, we do as much as possible to protect the great fishery that Lake Zumbro has become. Remember the when the DNR gets involved, things do not always go as planned and at times, everyone suffers. Just see what is happening in WI and MN with tournaments and strict regulations.
-------------------- Tim Domaille -
Pro-Staff- Brovarney Baits
Lake Zumbro Fishery - Too many Fish Being Kept?
Enough said on that topic. Just because you "oldster" have fished the Zum longer than must of us doesnt mean we youngsters dont feel the same as far as the future of the Zumbro. Eric's post above is very,very true.
