Joe Fellegy writes about the ongoing Mille Lacs controversy, A look at the record lake trout, MN-FISH, and Mille Lacs Outdoor News August 30, 2019. His report starts with Ron Schara’s question raised in Schara’s last Ramblings column in Outdoor News: Schara asks “The status of walleye fishing on Mille Lacs needs some kind of resolution, but who, what, when?”

Fellegy’s take was “Yes, the unethical and unjustifiable playing out of the state-tribal co-management quota system must end. And higher-ups in state government, especially the executive branch, must be held accountable.”

Fellegy continues with his impression of two DNR hosted “community conversations” about Mille Lacs management that he attended. What stood out was the “amazingly skimpy attendance” adding that it was “like a combined three-meeting total of only several dozen non-DNR folks!”

The […]

‘Limit Reached’ based on a pyramid of estimates

Well, the MN DNR has just announced that Mille Lacs Lake will be closed for targeting walleye on Sept 6.  How many times, throughout its history, has Mille Lacs Lake been closed down entirely or limited to catch and release of walleye, prior to tribal gillnetting during the spawn? Ever?

DNR/tribal co-management has once again mismanaged this great lake. When is the MN DNR going to manage this lake for ALL anglers ahead of tribal interests? The quotas are negotiated, not court-mandated, as these two parties would have us believe.

The determining factor behind such prompt shutdowns is “hooking mortality” being used as an absolute number. In fact, it is an estimate of walleye killed, based on […]

Long-expected appeal to be heard September 19

Joe Fellegy asks some great questions to keep in mind about the attempt to expand 1855 Treaty rights. This case may have far more consequences than the Mille Lacs 1837 Treaty case. This decision could bring Mille Lacs style co-management to most of Northern Minnesota lakes.

PERM stands by all treaties with the tribes as they are written.

Gull Lake netting, 1855 treaty rights case

By Joe Fellegy Outdoor News August 16, 219

Several years have passed since the on-purpose violations of state laws by tribal gill-netters on Gull Lake and by tribal wild rice harvesters on nearby Hole-in-the-Day Lake. Along the way, three judges recused themselves. The cases were narrowed to one defendant, James Northrup.

Naturally, […]

Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee (MLFAC) will meet from 5 p.m. to 8 p.m. Monday, Aug. 12, at Izatys Resort, 40005 85th Ave., Onamia. The agenda will cover an open water season update and a lake management planning discussion.

Members of the public may observe MLFAC meetings, but these meetings serve primarily as a way for the committee to hold group discussions. Fifteen minutes are reserved for public comments and questions.

The committee has been active since October 2015. Its purpose is to advise the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) on the State of Minnesota’s fisheries management program for Mille Lacs Lake.

PERM encourages its members, and concerned citizens to attend. The agenda’s Lake Management Planning discussion may include what the DNR heard at three recent Community Meetings on Mille Lacs.” If you […]

DNR seeks input on its fishing management plan

August 1 is the last day for DNR Mille Lacs survey

The Mille Lacs Messenger recently reported on one of the DNR’s’ three “Community Conversations about Mille Lacs.” (Will an increase in walleye harvest be in sight?) by T.A. LeBrun, July 24, 2019). This one was held at Kathio State Park on Thursday, July 16.

The meetings were held by the DNR to gain public input in creating their fisheries management plan on Mille Lacs Lake. It started with DNR Mille Lacs Fisheries Supervisor Tom Heinrich covering what the DNR had to say. He explained the biological, legal and social, for why the DNR can’t do whatever they want on the lake.

Biological reasons would be […]

Discussion will recognize ‘co-management’ as a factor

PERM encourages all Minnesota anglers to attend and have their voices heard.

*** Thursday, July 11:  Northland Arboretum,14250 Conservation Drive, Brainerd

*** Tuesday, July 16: Mille Lacs Kathio State Park classroom, 15066 Kathio State Park Road, Onamia

*** Thursday, July 18: Indian Mounds Regional Park Pavilion, 10 Mounds Boulevard, St. Paul

All of the meetings run from 6 to 8 p.m.

If you can’t attend there is an online survey at www.dnr.state.mn.us/millelacslake

According to an Outdoor News report today by Javier Serna, Assistant Editor, DNR gears up for three Lake Mille Lacs planning meetings this month, the DNR wants to hear from anglers around the state. “A first step in putting together a new lake management plan.”

Tom […]

Attend a Mille Lacs Lake community conversation

MN DNR’s Minnesota Fishing Newsletter
June 24, 2019

DNR is developing a fisheries management plan and wants to hear from you. You can hear a presentation from DNR Mille Lacs fisheries supervisor Tom Heinrich, participate in discussion groups, and all ages are welcome. Join us 6-8 p.m. in person:

• Thursday, July 11, at Northland Arboretum in Brainerd
• Tuesday, July 16, at Mille Lacs Kathio State Park classroom in Onamia
• Thursday, July 18, at Indian Mounds Regional Park Pavilion in St. Paul.

Can’t make a meeting? Go online for information anytime. Share your vision for the lake online from July 11 through Aug. 1 at the Mille Lacs community conversation page.  (Or below)

*** Mille Lacs community conversations ***

Help build a vision for the lake

You’re invited to help […]

This letter shows that legal and illegal gill netting is going on all over the state. The DNR doesn’t pay much attention unless there is a lot of ruckus raised. Typically most everything goes under the heading “allowed in the treaties” whether or not that area is treaty-specific.

Doug
President, PERM

Letters to the Editor
Outdoor News, Vol. 52, No. 23 June 7, 2019

What’s so special about the gill nets in Boulder Lake?

Wow. So the DNR is finally going to look at gill nets in Boulder Lake? Well, what’s so special about Boulder Lake? What about the other lakes, like Leech, Cass, Portage, (south of Bena)? I could go on, but you get the point.

I live on Leech Lake, and I have seen numerous gill nets. I have taken pictures of the gut piles […]