Snaggers Suck

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andy
andy's picture
Snaggers Suck
<p>So I got a new job near a warmwater discharge on the St Croix River. &nbsp;Now that temps have warmed up a bit, I fished it a little. &nbsp;Heard it can be good for all kinds of stuff. &nbsp;I fish right outside of the discharge in the main river for sturgeon in the Fall and Winter, but never up in the actual outflow channel. &nbsp;Went there today after work and mainly looked for shad activity but saw nothing. &nbsp;I brought a flyrod for shad, but ended up tossing a curlytail jig just to see what was available. &nbsp;Long story short, I caught nothing. &nbsp;A couple other guys were tossing jigs and flies, also to no avail. &nbsp;Chatted with them, great guys.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>The whole time I fished, there was a group of about 12 folks down towards the mouth of the discharge. &nbsp;All one party. &nbsp;It was obvious that they were intentionally trying to snag fish, just casting out and doing the jerk/reel thing. &nbsp;Over the hour I was there, I saw them catch nothing. &nbsp;They were starting fires(not allowed in this area - signs prohibit it and say that access will be taken away for everyone), breaking trees and throwing garbage. &nbsp;When my hour of exploration was up, the group was also packing up. &nbsp;I was shocked to see them carrying out at least a dozen smallmouth buffalo,good sized fish. &nbsp;They had them strung up on sticks and ropes. &nbsp;When they left, trash in the form of cans, plastic bags, fishing line and food wrappers littered the bank.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>I guess this rant is pointless because I did not call the game wardens. &nbsp;Next time, I will. &nbsp;Another point is that there appears to be a nice assemblage of buffalo right at the discharge mouth - which could potentially be targeted by angling if these morons weren&#39;t parked there all day screwing everything up. &nbsp;This is nothing new to me, as I encounter snagging of all kinds from folks of different cultures quite frequently in Minnesota. &nbsp;Snaggers just suck. &nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>/rant</p>
TonyS
TonyS's picture
Yeah that spot... I usually a

Yeah that spot... I usually avoid it.  I don't like being pissed when I fishing - the same reason I usually don't fish dams...

 

I wish there would be some enforcement there, maybe that would even knock the crowds down a bit.  I know there are fair numbers of Buffs in there, though I haven't caught one there yet.  And tons of Gar, especially when the main river is too cold - even some decent ones. 

Gunnar
Gunnar's picture
Had a "discussion" once with

Had a "discussion" once with a guy who was attempting to snag in a beautiful, clear pool full of spawning shortheads. They all bolted, luckily, and he gave up. The usual "just trying to get rid of trash fish" excuse, along with "I need bait for muskies." On Lake Michigan (in IL anyway) there is (or at least used to be) legal snagging for salmon, though the few times I witnessed it no one hooked anything.

 

Redhorse ID cheatsheets, gars, suckers: moxostoma.com


2020: 10 days fishing 11 species 0 lifers. 2019: 34/45/13 2018: 39/40/5

Outdoors4life
Outdoors4life's picture
That spot....

Andy that has been going on since before I was born. SOmetimes the wardens put stings out there but I think it is not often enough to make a difference. I have learned to fish there without letting others wreck my fun time.

The main reason they get away with it is because the wardens do not want to walk down there and once they do they are busted right away. If I am feeling bold I do confront.

I wish Officers would look at the fish like they will in Alaska to determine if they were snagged. The only time I have heard of the police come out to have people leave was when they set up tents. There are garbage can out there. I have spent many days cleaning up garbage there it does not take long for the garabage to pile up or go in the river. This year without the flooding this spot will be hit hard and much snagging will go on.

It is all perspective!

Acer Home Inspections

Deftik
Deftik's picture
The sad reality is that event

The sad reality is that eventually there will be no good places to fish because people like this will eventually find them and get us all thrown out. Definite fish commission call next time dude.

andy
andy's picture
It's tricky

I personally tend to take Tony's approach on fishing spots - I'd just rather not be pissed off while I'm trying to enjoy my time fishing so I generally stay away from human-concentrated spots like dams and discharges.  I would rather sneak around the outskirts of these areas and find good fishing by walking a bit further or targeting water types that are a little more difficult to fish.  

 

However, we as anglers need to at least attempt to inform either the perpetrators or authorities about bad things that are going on.  Talking with this particular group would be difficult because of language and cultural barriers, so my only recourse would have to be calling the TIP line.  I despise the fact that they are taking advantage of an assemblage of cool native fish by snagging them because they don't want to even try to angle for them.  However, I am more upset by the fact that they are blatantly breaking the rules of this fishing area by starting fires, leaving garbage, etc.  The rules and implications of breaking the rules are clearly stated on signage.  Because of their behavior, ALL OF US could lose the priveledge to fish there.  I have seen it happen before, and it sucks.

 

Like I said, next time I will call the CO's.

Jason E.
Jason E.'s picture
I think that there is also th

I think that there is also that idealistic part of us that just hopes people will reform themselves and that we won't have to intervene or call "big brother" in.  But then, regrettably, too often, people just keep engaging in the same behavior over and over, oblivious to the fact that they are breaking the law and going against common decency.

 

RiverRat
RiverRat's picture
Yup

There is almost always a crowd out there doing some untasteful things. Can't tell you how many times I've tried to say they can't keep certain fish out of seaon. I even called the TIP line once or twice but no one even came out. I've even made a habit out of picking up a bunch of plastic bags and loose fishing line. Come to think of it I caught a carp with a bag over its head a few years ago near that spot.

On a brighter note you are hitting the time about right for those gizzard shad man. Keep at it and I'm sure you'll see 'em. 

Eli
Eli's picture
Garbage people from garbage p

Garbage people from garbage places who take any fish longer than a match stick and leave garbage behind. 

I have nothing nice to say here. I've called the law on these assholes more than once and one time had the satisfaction of seeing a gaggle of them get handed court summons papers. There was also a case here several years ago where a group of locals beat  two poachers within an inch of their lives.

 

Videotape what they're doing, take a picture of their car plates, and forward it all to your enforcement agency. It works.

 

 

Eli

 

 

Dr Flathead
Dr Flathead's picture
I''ve seen those guys doing t

I''ve seen those guys doing that back there before too man.  In the same spot too, all the way down by the end.  Never really getting much but a lot of them shad.  And keeping them too.  But most years the shad are thick as shit back there and snagging them is pretty common.  But these were obvious snagging motions, no doubt about it.  Never seen any buff snagging before.  And the fires and garbage are nothing new either.  I keep the tip line number stored right in my phone for times like this.  Me personally, if I saw that stringer of nice buffs, I'd still call it in and tell the co's whats up.  Cause its probably going on damn near every day back there.  That could be 12 cool buffs getting rip snagged outta there every stinking day.  I mean if they were getting caught fairly, Id say great job guys, enjoy!  Just warn them co's they gotta be xtra sneaky ahead of time.  They could easilly sneak up on them guys and witness first hand the obvious snagging motions from a distance.  Easy tickets I bet.  That will be the only way to correct this behavior in my opinion.  Just because for the fact it has been going back there on for many many years. 

Carp Chaser
Carp Chaser's picture
Hate to see this kind of stuf

Hate to see this kind of stuff going on too. The woods alongside the channel could provide a great hiding spot for a c.o. to keep an eye on things... probably just dreaming that they would do that though.

Back to the gizzard shad, this is a good time for them according to lifelists. Think they'll stack up in the coming weeks?

"There's always a bigger fish"

Outdoors4life
Outdoors4life's picture
I plan to head there possibly today

I plan to head there possibly today and see what is going on.

 

Shad are hit and miss. You almost have to be down there at the right moment or have someone call you and be down there immediatly. My first shad was like that. Got a call from Doc and I was down there in about an hour. I hit the tail end of them feeding and lucked out with one.  I have spent a lot of time chasing them. Much like carpsuckers they are a right time kind of catch.

It is all perspective!

Acer Home Inspections

Hengelaar
Hengelaar's picture
Ugh...

That's some bedshittery right there, man.

 

Snaggering isn't a thing over here. There aren't any places where you could do it, really. We don't have spots where fish are stacked up, or get those superthick runs of anything.

 

Littering, though, is very much a thing.

Fishn sure is neat

GeluNumber1
GeluNumber1's picture
Was at the warmwater discharge today

And saw more snaggers. Again they were hauling out buffalo by the dozen. They were brazenly using treble hooks with weights tied onto the end. One of them tried to claim that his bait had simply fallen off the hook. Infuriating...

 

All fish are beautiful.

TonyS
TonyS's picture
Hengelaar - makes me sad that

Hengelaar - makes me sad that littering is a thing there on your side of world too.  I'm up to 10 gallons picked up and I've only been out a couple times.

 

GeluNumber1 - that is some brazen shit... I've never seen that in WI/MN, when I have seen snaggers it has been the "my spoon/jig just happens to have a huge treble hook stinger"

 

I hope people are making calls, enough complaints and maybe the DNR will try and do something about it.

roughfish29
roughfish29's picture
Gah, shitty to hear man. Snag


Gah, shitty to hear man. Snaggers really do suck. Bottom of the scum bucket type of people. I've seen the same type of fncksticks on the mississippi lately. It's maddening to pull up to your spot only to find it covered in snaggers.

 

I've called the TIP hotline several times on snaggers and have yet to see any sort of response from them. One time I even had the operator tell me "Well, I don't see what they're doing that's illegal besides snagging fish." Frustrating doesn't even begin to cover it.

Eli
Eli's picture
I'm telling you fellas, make

I'm telling you fellas, make a video of whats going on there! Forward it to your enforcement guys and they'll pretty much have to act. It's easy and can be done without anyone seeing you're taping them.  

 

Eli

 

 

Outdoors4life
Outdoors4life's picture
Eli

I will likely take that advice.

I was out there on Saturday and saw guys from a distance ripping but not much and I saw no fish snagged. On  the way out I did see about a 20 pound bigmouth in a net being taken to the car. I was giving one guy the eye and he picked up and left right away. I will not confront when I am by myself. It is too dangerous and video taping them will draw attention.

It does us no good complaining about it without action but like Ben said you call and feel like you don't matter.

No shad to be seen.

Gelu did you go out after 5 on Saturday?

 

It is all perspective!

Acer Home Inspections

Mike B
Mike B's picture
Where I am snagging is a ment

Where I am snagging is a mental disease where it seems to be spreading in the almost complete absence of angling etiquette. The only solution the fisheries department seems to have to this problem is to close down the fishery.

mike b

Waxworm
If listed gamefish were being
If listed gamefish were being snagged, perhaps the co's might take the problem more seriously, but because buffalo, (and so many other disrespected and under appreciated species) are not included on that list but instead labeled roughfish, the powers that be just don't care. Same with the littering and fires - it seems until property is damaged or stolen, or someone is physically assaulted, such problems are generally ignored by assigned law enforcement. Very discouraging to lose a cherished fishing spot thst way - much sadder for the fish! I'm currently exploring more out-of-the-way spots, hopefully overlooked by the neredowells...for a little while anyway. Seems until roughfish are given their long over-due respect through specific legislation and enforcement, such sad situations will continue indefinitely. Not sure if or how law abiding anglers can make a tangible difference without sincere support from game wardens and law enforcement.
Corey
Corey's picture
CO Contact Info

Part of the problem here might be that the CO responsible for this area is the Maplewood CO. Bayport is in the extreme northeast corner of his operating region. Anyway, his contact info is:

Maplewood Enforcement Area

Officer Name: Brad Johnson
Phone: (651) 646-8200
Radio Call: K375

This time of year can be very slow for CO calls, so it would be a good time to get this problem addressed - especially if it's during the week.

You guys already have the TIP line for Minnesota, I'm sure, but it's 1-800-652-9093 in case you don't already have it in your phone.

Even if you don't directly report the infractions through the TIP line, you can later make note of their vehicle information on this automated web form: http://www.dnr.state.mn.us/enforcement/tipreportingform.html. These reports are followed up on when there's time, which might be a good way to get it in the hopper. If the same vehicle license numbers continue to show up in these reports, it might make the owner of the car less likely to drive people out to their illegal fishing forays.

The fires and littering should be a no-brainer, but some CO's might need to be reminded that snagging is illegal, even for "rough fish". It is important to stop this abuse of the land and water so that this area doesn't become yet another forbidden area for responsible people, too.

Videotaping the activity and the vehicle license plate is something everybody can do very easily. You can then email the video to enforcement and they'll take it from there.

 

 

Outdoors4life
Outdoors4life's picture
Thanks Corey!    

Thanks Corey!

 

 

It is all perspective!

Acer Home Inspections

Waxworm
Thanks for posting the CO con
Thanks for posting the CO contact info - hope it helps all the folks who fish there
Corey
Corey's picture
Surveillance?

Is there any legal problem with putting a small camoflauged time-lapse or motion-activated camera in the area?

Corey
Corey's picture
Adopt-a-River

Another alternative to consider would be for roughfish.com to officially adopt this section of the river under the Minnesota DNR Adopt-A-River program. While we would then have to run annual trash cleanups, we would also have additional official clout to stop the fires and trash and to report when these activities occur. People who witness abuses could then speak on behalf of the adopt-a-river program and ask (nicely) for compliance on behalf of the DNR and roughfish.com. It would also give support to the continued access for anglers at this location and give us a voice in how access is handled.

TonyS
TonyS's picture
I've always thought it would

I've always thought it would be a good idea to do some river cleanup officially under the site, as good press for underappreciated species and fishing in general.  If anybody wants help with something like that I'd be happy to volunteer. 

 

While on the subject, does anyone know how to get signs (legally) put up at public access points?   You know maybe something with a picture of a Lake Sturgeon and/or some of the protected species (mostly a WI thing I guess).  Because last summer at a very popular access on the lRC an angler came over to us.   He had a "4 foot long 'sucker mouthed' fish on a stringer and wanted to know if it was any good to eat" - he had no idea he had a Lake Sturgeon or that the fish had to be released.  He did release it when we explained that to him but if we hadn't been there, that fish might have ended up dead (might still have...)

Outdoors4life
Outdoors4life's picture
Signs...

Tony Signs are up at this access point with the rules and regs.

 

Corey that would be awesome and I would particiapate in an annual cleanup at least one.  Also they know it is illegal. I was watching them close from a long distance and 2 people would block my view and take turns snagging.

 

I plan to go out tomorrow around 2 or so if anyone else is free. I like to have a bodyguard when I fish.

Click the link below to get my phone number.  I own and inspect for Acer Home Inspections.

It is all perspective!

Acer Home Inspections

TonyS
TonyS's picture
Yeah I know this spot has sig

Yeah I know this spot has signs.  I'm talking about places like the LRC dam - where the guy was trying to keep the Sturgeon, thinking it was just a huge sucker... The guy seriously appeared to have no clue.  I'll probably have call the WI DNR to see if anything can be done there.

Dr Flathead
Dr Flathead's picture
That would be a kick ass plac

That would be a kick ass place for roughfish.com to adopt.  I'd be down to help out as needed.

andy
andy's picture
Emailed Turn In Poachers

I sent a detailed email to the enforcement division's TIP line.  Hopefully a CO will at least go down there some day to check things out.  Plan to be down there this week again some day, but the plant hasn't been cranking out smoke so not sure.

CoolWater
CoolWater's picture
Snaggers suck, and in Ohio -

Snaggers suck, and in Ohio - for the most part it is legal, as long as you are only snagging rough fish.  A few other site restrictions and time of year restrictions but it is allowed.  It makes me furious.  So you can have a pickup truck bed filled with buffalo and its no problem, but one walleye and you're illegal.  To me, this just reinforces the negative public opinion on these species we love arond here.  Guess I'll stop my rant as well...

Defnately some good advice on the thread, video what they are doing and get the license plates.  The "Adopt A River" also a neat idea.

CoolWater's Blog:  www.coolwaterfish.com

johnny
johnny's picture
I have called the Washington

I have called the Washington County non-emergency number a few times while fishing down there.  First time was for people setting up tents and bonfires.  A pickup truck from the plant had parked on the northern side of the trench and was just watching them.  The other time I called was the following year as I was leaving.  Someone had smashed all of the older model car windows in the lot in the hour I was fishing.  I have mixed feelings about fishing that spot.  Seems like it is a lot safer in Jan/Feb as most people aren't willing to brave the cold temps.

 

If anyone needs or wants it, the Washington County non-emergency number is 651-439-9381

Just your run of the mill Orvis Boy.  Fly fishing elitist.  I cannot hear you over my false casting.  All guided trips every day.

Fishing for compliments since 88.
 

Waxworm
Interstate State Park murder
Google the subject line of this post, and very tragically you will see that it is indeed true...extremely scary stuff. Even more unsettling how little things can escalate in a New York minute. Play it safe everybody...sincere condolences and prayers to the family.
andy
andy's picture
Murder

The guy who was stabbed in the heart on the riverbank actually worked at my company.  Sad stuff...

vanner
vanner's picture
I made the mistake about aski

I made the mistake about asking some fishermen at work about places to find lots of suckers. Unfortunately every one of them has told me about how to snag them. When I told them that I wanted to actually catch the fish, they all treated me like I was the fucking idiot, and not them.