People around Mille Lacs, Minn., are sending out an SOS – save our smallmouth. They have banded together to stop what many see as a regulation that could devastate the world-class smallmouth bass fishery.
The Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliance is spreading the word that the excessive taking of smallmouth will hurt the fishery and affect the local economy. It hopes to educate anglers, businesses and visitors about the benefits of catch and release and institute change in state regulations.
The creel limit of smallmouth on Mille Lacs changed in the past few years, causing the outcry. Anglers can take six smallmouth daily. There are reports of large party boats that take 20 or so anglers out to areas where smallmouth congregate.
“As good as Mille Lacs is, no lake can take the butchering that is taking place there,” said Mark Zona, Bassmaster TV host and honorary board member of the alliance. “I can only hope that change is soon – before it’s too late.”
B.A.S.S. will be making a visit to Mille Lacs next Sept. 15-18 for the 2016 Toyota Bassmaster Angler of the Year Championship. With an economic benefit projected at over $3 million, the event is being used by the alliance to show that sensible management of the fishery is important.
“Mille Lacs Lake is the best smallmouth fishery in the world right now and it’s on the verge of being destroyed!” said Bassmaster Elite Series angler Seth Feider, who lives in Bloomington, Minn. “Please take care of it and release these trophy fish to fight another day.”
Throughout the rest of the state, the bass season is limited to catch and release in the month of May and from mid-September through end of February. The current regulations in Mille Lacs allow six smallmouth per person in possession with one over 18 inches. There is a daily possession allowed in May and the winter months.
“Due to our cooler climate and slow growth rates, it may never return to what it is right now if we let the mismanagement of this one-of-a-kind lake continue,” Feider said.
The Mille Lacs Smallmouth Alliances is in the process of securing non-profit status. Its mission is to rebuild, preserve and maintain Mille Lacs as a trophy smallmouth fishery. To support its cause, go to millelacssmallmouthalliance.com.
Powerball wishes, big bass dreams
That $1.4 billion Powerball lottery had some Elite anglers dreaming big.
Tyler Wade, social media and B.A.S.S. nation editor, surveyed a bunch on what they would do with a cool billion. Church, charities and helping others were first and foremost in everyone’s thoughts.
Although Aaron Martens hogged money with two wins and the AOY in 2015, he said he’d “find people in need and help them. That’s way too much money for one person.”
Yes it is. Martens, however, said he would like one very practical thing – “a house where my boat could fit in the garage.”
There were a myriad of great answers, and several really fun ones. Greg Vinson envisioned a bass fishing stadium “that would make Jerry Jones jealous.” His trophy fishery would have stands, big screens, trams … sounds like he’s been thinking about this for some time.
And all of us here at B.A.S.S. sure liked what Boyd Duckett planned. As one of several pros who said they would buy B.A.S.S., Duckett added he’d give all the employees a 50 percent raise.
Check out what all the other big spenders would do.
Spotted bass record submission
For the fourth time in nearly two years, the IGFA has received a world record submission for spotted bass that could potentially set the new All-Tackle world record.
On Dec. 27, angler Wes Roberson caught an 11-pound spotted bass while casting a jig on New Bullards Bar Reservoir, about two hours north of Sacramento, Calif. Roberson landed it quickly, weighed and documented it, then released the fish alive.
The current IGFA world record is 10-6. We reported on a potential record in November 2015. Paul Bailey caught an 11-4 spotted bass in northern California, but he worried it might be the one that got away.
The IGFA requires stringent documentation and Bailey, even though it was taped for a show, wasn’t confident he had enough to have it certified. Jack Vitek, world records coordinator, said the IGFA never received a submission from Bailey.
Diehard anglers small group
There are roughly 33 million people who fish each year, but only 4 percent purchase a fishing license every year. That was an eye-opening finding in a 10-year study conducted for the American Sportfishing Assocation.
Southwick Associates surveyed anglers over 16, asking about their fishing habits and loyalty to the sport. They found there is that aforementioned diehard group, but there are others who come and go – about the same number join the angling ranks as the number who leaves each year.
Those most retained are the guys fishing B.A.S.S. who earn steady checks – just kidding. The rural folks are noted for the highest retention while females, those 18 to 24 and urbanites don’t stick around so well. To see more on the subject, click here.
Weldon moving on up
A chip off the old block, Hank Weldon has been promoted to Senior Manager of College, High School and Youth, B.A.S.S. was happy to announce.
Yeah, if you didn’t know, Hank is the son of Trip Weldon, Tournament Director at B.A.S.S. Hank’s been following in dad’s footsteps for awhile now. He started in the college ranks in 2011 and helped build that enterprise to where it is today.
In 2013, the College, High School and youth properties were combined and Hank took over management of that new Youth Nation. Since that time, the college and youth properties have continued to grow in popularity, however, the high school property has become the fastest growing demographic in B.A.S.S.
Congrats, Hank.
Culling
Jimmy Houston was already in a bunch of fishing hall of fames, and now his home state of Oklahoma is recognizing him. The Oklahoma Sports Hall of Fame included Houston in its 2016 class of inductees. Houston, the first fisherman to ever be inducted, will be going into the hall alongside football’s Brian Bosworth and golf’s Scott Verplank, among others.
Jason Christie didn’t have much contact with Ken Cook, saying he was entering B.A.S.S. just as Cook was retiring. But he was affected by Cook’s passing, and showed his respects. “If a young angler has a question on what is the right way, I’d tell them to just look at the life of Ken Cook,” Christie wrote in his column, What I learned from Ken Cook.