04-15-2008, 12:10 AM
If the fish are going to die anyway, state officials figure that they might as well let anglers take as many as they want.
That's the thinking behind allowing unlimited fishing at Lake George in Cass County.
The Brainerd Area Fisheries Office of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said that Lake George is experiencing a winter kill. This happens when sunlight fails to penetrate the ice, pushing down oxygen levels in the water. Fish are often unable to survive in these low oxygen conditions.
The 720-acre Lake George, about 4 miles northwest of Outing, is now open for unlimited fishing until March 22. The lake is known for northern pike, bluegill and crappie. Large- and smallmouth bass also are caught.
Lake George joins nearly three dozen other lakes where the state has employed liberalized fishing. Fish taken from such lakes are usually lethargic and found just under the ice or near springs. Anglers should use caution and check ice conditions before beginning to fish on the lake.
"Rather than just let those fish go to waste, we like to give anglers an opportunity to harvest as many of them as they want," said Dave Bolander, assistant area fisheries supervisor in Brainerd.
A resident angling license is required, and anglers cannot take fish through the use of seines, hoop nets, fyke nets or explosives. Fish can be taken in any amount by spear, gillnet or angling.
For the latest information on lakes that are open to liberalized fishing and for detailed information about those lakes, visit www.startribune.com/a4085.
PAUL WALSH
That's the thinking behind allowing unlimited fishing at Lake George in Cass County.
The Brainerd Area Fisheries Office of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources said that Lake George is experiencing a winter kill. This happens when sunlight fails to penetrate the ice, pushing down oxygen levels in the water. Fish are often unable to survive in these low oxygen conditions.
The 720-acre Lake George, about 4 miles northwest of Outing, is now open for unlimited fishing until March 22. The lake is known for northern pike, bluegill and crappie. Large- and smallmouth bass also are caught.
Lake George joins nearly three dozen other lakes where the state has employed liberalized fishing. Fish taken from such lakes are usually lethargic and found just under the ice or near springs. Anglers should use caution and check ice conditions before beginning to fish on the lake.
"Rather than just let those fish go to waste, we like to give anglers an opportunity to harvest as many of them as they want," said Dave Bolander, assistant area fisheries supervisor in Brainerd.
A resident angling license is required, and anglers cannot take fish through the use of seines, hoop nets, fyke nets or explosives. Fish can be taken in any amount by spear, gillnet or angling.
For the latest information on lakes that are open to liberalized fishing and for detailed information about those lakes, visit www.startribune.com/a4085.
PAUL WALSH