Mitchell hooks minnows weird, ND tourney fees challenged, Take better fish pics 😉

For the last couple of years, ND has been requiring a 10% tournament permit fee – with no limit/cap to the amount – based on "gross receipts/entry fees of the tournament prize purse to be paid to them in order to secure the event permit."

It used to be the same 10% fee but it was capped at $5,000. Their rationale for the elimination of the $5K cap was the belief that all tournaments – regardless of size – should pay the fixed rate of 10% as a matter of fairness.

The good news is those funds go "toward fisheries conservation projects such as boating access and other fishing infrastructure or educational fishing programs."

The bad news is a bunch of big tourney platforms pulled ND stops off their tourney schedule because of the fee change.

The $5K cap removal in 2020 pushed the conservation fee into the $10K to $30K range for the biggest derbies! 😳

Get this: There were 6 different National Walleye Tour events held in ND between 2013-2020...but NONE since the fee increase.... 👀

It's estimated that 1 regular season NWT event brings roughly $250K+ of outside dollars into the local community (from angler's hotels, gas, meals, gear, etc) where it revolves many times over.

And no doubt you can expect more people and $$$ to make their way over to fish after watching the pros wallop on fish, and spitting out exactly how they caught 'em. Think about the hit those local economies are taking....

As you can see:

Now check out this Kim Fundingsland's write-up in The Dakotan I recently came across, few excerpts below:

> How much the ND Game and Fish Dept should charge for fishing tournaments is the gist of a bill introduced in the State Legislature – HB 1538.

> Since the change in fee, national fishing circuits have chosen to hold major tournaments in states other than ND where fees are considerably less.

> "The big sticking point is the 10% conservation fee," said Geremy Olson, who helped author the bill. "In SD there is no permit fee required whatsoever. MN is $250, WI $25, regardless of entry fees."

And also...

> Olson emphasized that the biggest reason for bringing forth legislation to curtail Game and Fish fees was the financial impact on charities and nonprofit organizations.

> "The way it is now, a non-profit has to give away the funds they raise during a charity fundraising event," said Olson. "Making a charity give back money they raised in their event is not right in any form in ND. This bill allows charities to hold a charitable fishing tournament in their community and keep the funds for the charity."

I believe the initial hearing on HB 1538 was at 9am this morning. We'll have to see where it goes from here....

Thanks for your service, Jason! 🙌

Now, what I'm talking about...

It's crazy how many different ways you can hook a minnow, and Jason Mitchell has one I hadn't seen before. Skin-hooks it just behind the gills, and runs the hook forward to help with the hookup % since most of the time walleyes seem to eat the bait head first.

Also love how he shows in his vid what the minnow looks like underwater...can see how slightly pinching its tail off can be a difference-maker when walleyes don't want to chase.

That and a couple other Jason Mitchell deadstick tricks in this video:

> "The Justin Morneau Ice Fishing Classic opens its 4th year Saturday on Mille Lacs [Nitti's Hunters Point Resort] to benefit military families via the United Heroes League. Last year, the event attracted nearly 2,000 contestants. This year, organizers hope to raise $80K by drawing closer to 4,000 anglers. A $20 ticket covers entry and a chance at door prizes. You don't have to fish to buy a ticket."

3. NY: Sacandaga 'Walleye Challenge' canceled from lack of ice.

All prizes will be raffled off on Sat, Feb 18.

4. MN: Community effort helps create ice roads on Detroit Lake.

> Quality Bait [here's their FB page and website] owner Mike Witt and his friend Don McDougall have been creating and maintaining ice roads on Detroit Lake and other area lakes.

For free. 👀 Actually for a lot less than free because they've ripped the plow completely off their truck twice so far, and busted it several other times.

> "We're hoping to continue doing this every year. Not everyone has a 4wd to get out on the lake in the winter. Clearing a road gives everyone that opportunity."

Man, that is just amazing. Big props, fellas!

5. Elliott has a new technique specific rod series...

...coming this spring called "Identity" that will offer 5 walleye rods and 7 bass rods:

Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He's in it now, but still can't answer that question.... Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a "fishing degree" at the time.... Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com

To send us walleye pics, ice shots or whatever, just respond to this email or click here to email us. Or post it on the Target Walleye Facebook page.

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P.O. BOX 541

Brainerd, MN 56401

(218) 824 5026

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