Slots and Closing spring seasons

[Migrator Man]

I wouldn't mind a slot for trophy fishing. Only allow one over 24". Just think how many hogs would grow into teeners if they had the chance to live. Eating big walleyes makes me cring!

 

[tikkalover]

Why are North Dakota waters open for fishing year round?

ND Outdoors) --- Up until 1975 North Dakota anglers were forced to hang up the rods and reels for six or seven weeks in the spring.The reason for closing the season at the time was to protect vulnerable populations of spawning fish…

"It was in place at one time with the thinking, the thought process, of protecting fish during the spawn, especially the walleye and pike populations that you could fish. You could potentially have people targeting spawning populations and overharvesting," says Greg Power, the NDGF Fisheries Division Chief.
The Missouri River system opened to year round fishing in 1975 then lakes statewide opened in 1993.
Power says biologists have not seen any evidence of overharvest or depletion of these spawning fish in all these years…in fact, with a few exceptions, natural reproduction is not a major factor in walleye populations anyway…
"In North Dakota, we're a little bit different in that our walleye populations, most of our lakes are stocked so we don't have naturally reproduction populations," says Power.
Power says another factor in establishing year round fishing in North Dakota was to take advantage of an underused resource…
"Pike in the spring of the year are in the shallows and there's a lot of shore fishing opportunities that historically we did not provide to the public but now they can get out there and we have seen people utilizing the pike in the spring," says Power.
Many spring anglers do not target the spawning fish..in fact, in many cases it is just the opposite…if a big
pre-spawn female is caught, she is returned to the water after a quick photo.

Along with your new fishing license, remember your boat also needs new registration and stickers too

 

[KDM]

This topic really grinds my gears sometimes. I think fishermen are the most ego driven, self centered, unsatisfied, crying, ungrateful, whiny, bunch of delusional individuals I've ever been a part of as a general rule. We are NEVER satisfied with any day on the water...........EVER it seems. Fishermen bitch and moan when they catch a limit of 2-3 lb walleyes because they aren't 4-5 pounders. You hear things like "Boy it really would have been a good day if they were all 6 pounders." Like catching a limit of walleyes ISN'T a good day!!!!! I've heard it countless times at the cleaning stations and to this day wonder at the mental conditions necessary for anyone to say something so ignorant and I'VE even said it myself. WTF?!?!?! Guys go to Lake Winnipeg, Tobin, or Columbia River and come back only to say STUPID SHIT like "We only caught 6 over 28 inches." WTF?!?!?! Is every fish you catch supposed to be a trophy you simpletons. IMO we, and I include myself in this, would all be better off if we could just enjoy a day on the water for what it is regardless of what ends up in the live well. All this talk about slot limits and closed seasons is nothing more than a cover up for our own vanity and selfishness when it comes to fishing as both have been proven to NOT be necessary for the protection of the fishery in ND. Talking, asking for, and in some cases demanding these things in reality, only shows how much we as fishermen DON'T care about the fishery and instead care more about our own self glorification when a day fishing doesn't produce a "Bragging" photo of that big fish at the end. It shows how we as fishermen are willing to take fishing opportunities away from other fishermen to further our own interests in getting that "Trophy" fish for ourselves. I enjoy catching big fish as well as the next guy and have several "Bragging Pics" to show for it, but I have come to enjoy seeing other fishermen be successful just as much. If ever there was a group of people in need of a smack in the forehead along with a good stiff reality check.....it's WE FISHERMEN!!!!! Fishing is FANTASTIC all across this great state and neither slot limits or closed seasons had ANYTHING to do with it. We don't need them. 10+ pound walleyes are caught all across this great state and just because "You" haven't caught one is NO REASON to punish everyone with more superfluous and unnecessary laws and regulations. Just Fish!!!!!

 

[Vollmer]

I agree with you KDM. I have always loved my days on the water. I get a kick out of figuring the day out. That's the fun for me. Some days I dont even wet a line. I spend the whole day trying to put my kids and wife on fish. That is just as fun as catching fish myself.

The fun is in the puzzle.

I won't lie ... I do enjoy the idea of catching those giants. Happy when it happens. But also, happy to just get out on the water/ice.

 

[johnr]

You see, KDM is correct on his post on every point.
I have fished less this last 12 months than probably anytime in my adult life, so that alone should have saved a few big un's for the rest of you game pigs.

Many times I have fished and brought back 2 or 3 fish, because the bite was slow, or I was lazy and didn't change up tactics. They seem to taste just fine at the end of the day, and my son doesn't have to feel as though we fish until we catch a limit or we have failed.
Once you kill the good time for the kids, then you have ruined what the time on the water is really all about.

My kids are in the early teenage years, and its already getting to the point that time with dad is not as fun as it was, and I sure am not going to turn it into what I have gone through as a kid, and sit in a boat for 12+ hours, almost wishing for death cause the fun left 8 hours earlier.

Slot limits, and closed seasons can kiss my big white ass. The kids feel like fishing, or mrs johnr, or myself regardless of the time of year its game on, and God bless ND for realizing that.

 

[gst]

Yes. An abundant runoff helps to generate the water quality (less saline) areas of DL that will see successful walleye hatching and rearing of those young'uns in suitable shelter.

So draining adding to run off is a good thing?

 

[Captain Ahab]

Meh. Just make 'sconis with a fishing rod illegal in ND.

 

[gst]

I haven;t shot a buck with a rifle in four years, passed up some really good bucks, but my sons have shot some pretty good ones because of the time I have spent helping them and I get more enjoyment out of that than shooting one myself. Same way ice fishing.

It is a sad reality how fast time goes and kids are not kids for very long.

There is a time in there John r where that happens, and yet now my sons are back thinking hunting with Dad is cool and fun again. They are actually to the point now where they think they need to help the "old man" get a good buck........still can show em a thing or two

 

[Rowdie]

Sounds like this thread needs a bump SMH

 

[Rowdie]

#$%^&>

 

[lunkerslayer]

Get the net

 

[Rowdie]

:;:deadhorse

 

[lunkerslayer]

.....