Letter from the President
MN-FISH - A Letter From The President
Hi Fellow Anglers:
Oh, the opening day countdown has begun….beware walleyes. Most of our fishing water is ice free. Crappies are moving shallow now or soon and they’re anxious to bite. All good news.
Now more good news: The second annual MN-FISH summit held recently in Alexandria was successful and well attended. Talking, learning and discussing are the best ways to iron out the kinks in maintaining Minnesota as the State of Fishing.
Your MN-FISH organization is also waiting for news that hasn’t happened yet. As you may know, MN-FISH supported a bonding bill for $3 million to look at the St. Paul Fish Hatchery, the only one in the metro area. The question is: what to do with a 125 year old facility relying on duct tape to raise walleyes and muskies. What isn’t known at this writing is: Will the Legislature pass a bonding bill with the hatchery funds included? Stay tuned.
Now for some sad news: Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources recently announced serious cutback in fish stocking and pheasant stocking. Two fish hatcheries will be closed down next year. In addition, wildlife surveys and habitat work also will be reduced.
Why is this happening in Wisconsin? Because of serious funding shortages in Wisconsin’s DNR. Get this: Wisconsin lawmakers approved a $38 million appropriation but did not give the DNR the authority to use that money.
A sad story indeed. Well, guess what? Our Minnesota DNR fisheries program is also operating with an insufficient budget impacting creel surveys, lake management, outdated fish hatcheries, and crumbling boat accesses.
While we anglers discuss forward facing sonar, two-line fishing, reduced walleye limits and the like, our political leaders ignore the basic foundations of fish management.
Wisconsin’s plight ought to serve as a warning to all of us who cherish good fishing. We must start paying attention to more than the price of nightcrawlers. We’ve been too quiet too long in St. Paul, but no more. If there’s such a thing as the greatest mission for MN-FISH, it’s to be a squeaky wheel at the State Capitol.
Good fishing,
Ron Schara, MN-FISH President
Chore Warrior Challenges Anglers, Again!
Chore Warrior has leveled a $25,000 Challenge Grant benefiting MN-FISH. Here’s how it works…now through Mother’s Day, Chore Warrior will DOUBLE any donation to MN-FISH up to a total of $25,000.
One hundred percent of money raised through the Chore Warrior Challenge Grant will be used by MN-FISH as it fights on behalf of Minnesota anglers. Since 2023, we’ve helped push through more than $120 million in state investment benefitting anglers and boaters.
Help us meet this challenge and support MN-FISH and “Keeping MN Fishing Strong!” To donate, DONATE HERE!
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