New to the board...have visited many times !
With the new fishing regs in area 17, I plan to be putting out a hut in South bay of Balsam lake. Depth range of 11' - 14'. This is where I have caught crappie, perch, walleye, smallmouth, muskie,(have yet to catch a pike in 15 years of fishing Balsam) in spring, summer and fall. This spot is about 1/2 mile from my cottage shoreline and about as far as I would like to drag a hut.
I'm concerned about coincidental catches...I think the best thing I can do is cut my line if you find you have caught something other than what is allowed. I think there is a very small window to revive these fish and get them back in the hole, before they freeze, and no chance if someone pitches them out on the ice...un hooks them and then tries to put them back.
It seems, although I love the opportunity to fish Balsam in the winter, these regs may hurt the fishery more than help it. Will everyone be able to save these coincidental catches, or will others simply poach ?? Is the only defence to call TIPS ?
If someone can give me a humane way to releasing coincidental catches, it would be greatly appreciated.
Cheers,
Balsam Laker
