Mille Lacs and the Bassmaster Allstar Tournament

[Mike Cork]

I need some help with a question about this tournament. (Mille Lacs Allstar)

First let me say I am very excited to see Bassmaster fishing some of the northern waters and am looking forward to seeing the smallies they will catch. It puts a new spin on how they will catch them and it will be a great learning curve for everyone.

My question is, will Minnesota DNR provide a waiver for the tournament anglers? With the current slot limit I just read about an angler can only weigh one fish over 16 inches. This will take away from the over all weights. Slot limits don't bother me, everyone has the same rules and it causes anglers to add it to the equation when determining their game plans.

Here in Louisiana, Wildlife and Fisheries does not provide such waivers. We've had major tournaments on our slot lakes and they just have to deal with it. However we are allowed 4 over the slot. Also creating forward thinking in that you will have to have one fish between 12-14 inches to have a complete limit. So do you fish for a limit of unders than get your overs, get your overs and hope for an under or simply pound out the biggest 4 overs that you can get.

Slots are challenging and I personally hope they have to fish with it, but thought I'd ask someone that lives up there.... I know a book to ask a simple question. Sorry guys. But what do you think will happen?

[CraigP83]

You're talking about the Elite Series AOY tournament right? I'm under the impression that the limits will be lifted for this tournament but I haven't seen anything saying 100% that's the case.

Currently the Mille Lacs slot only applies to SM bass, with one over 18''. So in theory you could go get your big Smallie and then target LM, and Mille Lacs is a very overlooked LM bass lake. Other wise a 20'' SM and 4 more 17'' Smallies is still a pretty nice bag.

Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass: Bass season open through February 28, 2016. Combined possession limit is six, with only one Smallmouth Bass over 18".

[Mike Cork]

Guess I didn't think about the possibility of Largemouth Could make for a very interesting event

[earldogg]

I'd bet they waiver for this tournament, people catch 25-33lb bags of smallie's on the regular there. Great opportunity for state to show off this world class smallmouth lake.

[CraigP83]

I'd bet they waiver for this tournament, people catch 25-33lb bags of smallie's on the regular there. Great opportunity for state to show off this world class smallmouth lake.

I agree entirely, the DNR would be stupid not to lift the slot limit for this tournament. The whole reason this tournament is being held is to promote tourism to Mille Lacs since the Walleye issues are well known.

[earldogg]

I agree entirely, the DNR would be stupid not to lift the slot limit for this tournament. The whole reason this tournament is being held is to promote tourism to Mille Lacs since the Walleye issues are well known.

Exactly!