Caledonia Argus

Fishing proposals get thumbs-down

Posted: 3/30/04

By David Heiller
Argus News Editor

Some were polite, some full of cuss words.

But all the comments at a special meeting last week in Caledonia opposed a proposal to make much of Winnebago Creek a catch-and-release-only stream.

Thatís what the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources is proposing for 2005.

Catch and release means that all fish that are caught must be released. It also bans the use of natural bait.

Public hearings will take place on it in August and September, but a preliminary testing of the water on March 25 got a chilly reception indeed.

About 30 people who own land along Winnebago Creek attended the meeting at the Four Seasons Community Center in Caledonia. They were notified of it by mail from the DNR.

They sat in a huge circle, and took turns giving their opinions about the idea, which is aimed at producing larger fish in a 12.4 mile stretch from Camp Winnebago to New Albin.

The affected area is from the lower end of the trout stream designation (T. 101 R.4 S.28), which is 0.25 miles upstream of County Highway 5, upstream to the road crossing (township road) below Camp Winnebago (T.101 R.5 S.7).

Many people had questions. Norlin Hein said he wanted to know what kind of pressure wildlife like otters and great blue herons have on trout populations. ìIíd like to know how many fish are going out of there from wildlife versus fishermen,î he said.

Like many others, he said the DNR and concerned fishermen should concentrate on improving the habitat of the creek.

Several people said the proposals seemed dictatorial and undemocratic. Leo Whalen said the DNRís approach reminded him of the Gestapo that he saw in Germany during World War II.

Whalen also expressed another theme of the night when he said, ìI think if my grandson wants to come down and catch a fish, he should keep it.î

Many of the people said they would post their land no-trespassing if the regulations went through. That would put a big pressure on the two miles of the creek that the DNR has easements on, they said.

Jim Hammell said that when he moved to Winnebago Valley 46 years ago, there were no trout, and now there is an abundance of them. ìWhy are you spending resources to fix something that is not broke?î he asked.

Peter Johnson, who owns Dunromin Campground on Winnebago Creek, said families like to fish when they come to his facility, and they like to bring those fish back to camp and fry them up.

Many Twin Cities people go north for their vacations because of the fishing, Johnson said. The first question he hears when they call is, ìDo you have fishing?î

Joe Hauser called the plan asinine, and said that catch-and-release kills fish.

Referring to the ban on natural bait, Lindsey Meyer said that she likes to sit in the sun and fall asleep when she fishes. ìI canít do that with a fly rod,î she said.

ìIf I own the land and I want to fish with a worm, whose going to tell me I canít?î Gordon Smerud asked.

Robin Gaustad wished that DNR workers would come out and talk to local landowners. She said sheís never had anyone say, ìHereís what you can do to protect the creek.î

DNR Conservation Officer Larry Webinger said that NRCS funds are available for improving creeks on a cost sharing basis.

At the end of the meeting, DNR workers encouraged people to contact them with more questions and comments. They took down names to send people information on some of the issues that were raised.

Jason Moeckel can be reached at 507-280-5063, or by e-mail at jason.moeckel@dnr.state.mn.us.

Top of Page