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4608 Tower St.
Edina, MN 55424
(612) 440-7171
tcwalleyes@gmail.com
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Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited Monthly Newsletter
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Featuring Robert Cardenas
Thursday January 9, 2020
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Robert Cardenas is coming to speak at our January 9th, club meeting. Mark your calendar's and reschedule any conflicts, you don't want to miss out on a chance to get up close and personal with Robert!
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TCWU hosts Robert Cardenas at our January 9, 2019 Club Meeting
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TCWU is thrilled to kick off the second half of our club meetings with talented local Professional Robert Cardenas.
Robert finished among the top 5 anglers in his rookie season on the AIM Pro Walleye Series for Angler of the Year, and has been fulfilling his dream to fish for a living ever since.
You can currently check him out on Facebook managing his F.IN Outdoors Media Company and out on the Cabela's National Walleye Tour.
Don't miss out on this great opportunity to spend the evening with Robert!
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Meeting Location:
BLOOMINGTON KNIGHTS OF COLUMBUS, (aka Bloomington Events Center)
1114 American Blvd. W.
Bloomington, MN 55420
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Socializing - 6:30 PM
Presentation - 7:00 PM
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We Are Moving Toward going Forward….I Can See 2020 Now!
As I sit and write this note to you all, I reflect on this past year and all that has happened. Some good, and some bad, but 2019 has generally been good.
I hope that everyone had a wonderful Christmas and an awesome New Year!
I am still focused on the last 2 weeks of my bird hunting quest but also really excited to kick off some ice fishing adventures as well.
I have been getting reports from Club members that have been on the ice so far and the fish are biting. My brother-in-law Andy (also a TCWU member) went to Upper Red Thursday, and I am waiting to get his report as well. Be sure to send us pictures to our website and Facebook.
I want to send another big Thank You to our friend Nate Winters for his excellent presentation to our group for the December meeting. I found his expertise and international adventure in fishing to be exciting and motivating. Thank you, Nate! We look forward to seeing you again soon.
We are within two weeks of our inaugural Walleye Camp on Mille Lacs Lake, hosted by our good friend, Tony Roach. We will be posting an update on the ice and fishing conditions again before the end of December. Keep an eye on the TCWU website and Facebook postings. Be sure to get signed up soon so you don’t miss out on this great opportunity. See you at Nitti’s Hunter’s Point Resort bright and early January 10.
I look forward to seeing everyone at the January 9 member meeting and I am excited to learn the fishing secrets of our friend and club member Robert Cardenas.
We are at the threshold of a new year and I want wish everyone a very Happy New Year!! I will see you all soon….and send us your fishing pics, too.
See you all in the New Year!
Jim "Doc" Wood
President of Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited
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It has been two years since Tony Roach taught us how to find Walleyes through the ice on big water at our Twin cities Walleyes Unlimited December 2017 meeting.
Now is your chance to learn first hand from Tony at the TCWU Ice Fishing Walleye Camp on Friday January 10, 2020 on
Lake Mille Lacs!
We will be meeting for breakfast at Nitti's Hunters Point Resort and head out fishing soon after. Tony will coach us up at breakfast and lay out the game plan for an all day walleye fish.
If you are interested click on the link below.
Space is limited, Tony can host up to 40 of us at a time.
If you and your fishing buddies want to turn this into a weekend of fishing, contact Nitti's directly (see contact information below). Nitti's offers lodging and a variety of fish house rentals.
Details:
Date:
Friday
January 10, 2020
Cost
: $130 each attendee
Breakfast
- Approximately 7:00 AM
Fishing -
8:00 AM - to 5:30 PM (45 minutes after sunset)
Meeting Location:
Nitti's Hunters Point Resort
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"Once you wear some of it you want to wear all of it"
Simms is featured this month in our Sponsor Spot Light. Simms prides themselves on making performance gear for Anglers, which are also great for anything outdoors. We have all seen their awesome rain gear at our club events, but did you know they also make the best waders in the world, right here in the USA. Simms specializes in cutting edge cold and warm weather clothing, layering, and specialized accessory gear.
To quote President Doc Wood, "
Once you wear some of it you want to wear all of it.
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I would have to agree. I bought the Guide Insulated Shacket in November. and it'
s unbelievably warm. It features light weight
PrimaLoft
insulation, and high quality snaps, which makes it so easy to wear. It's literally the only thing I have worn all winter.
I have a hard time keeping it from my wife who loves it. Doc is featured above in the Challenger Insulated Ice Fishing suit, which is stuffed with
PrimaLoft
to keep you toasty all day out on the ice.
Simms' summer gear features a strong line of lightweight innovative shirts, shorts, hats and gaiters.
The unique BugStopper Shirts are made with a polyester-nylon blend, that dries quick, wicks moisture, and have two zip-secure chest pockets perfect for small tackle boxes. They feature long sleeve shirts with 30 UPF sun block and fight swarms of bugs thanks to advanced InsectShield technology.
The SolarFlex series is extremely comfortable and features,
odor-fighting, sweat-wicking, and a UPF-50 protection rating against harmful rays.
Check out the Holiday Deals at Simms on-line Store!
The TCWU Club definitely recommend Simms' gear. Check out what they have to offer at
SimmsFishing.com
and like them on Facebook to keep up on the latest innovations and sales promotions. There is some really cool stuff at great Holiday prices available, but it won't last long. The most common sizes are getting snapped up.
Russell Nelson
TCWU Board Member
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Minnesota DNR provides sound advice on 2019 ice conditions
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Unseasonably early cold weather mixed with heavy snow and unseasonably warm weather over the December Holidays means ice making has been extremely inconsistent on many lakes across the state. Minnesota Department of Natural Resources conservation officers advise people to be extremely careful
because ice thickness is highly variable and subject to the whims of Mother Nature.
Emergency responders already have responded to incidents where anglers have fallen through thin ice or been stranded on ice sheets that broke off from the shoreline due to heavy wind. Anglers and others who recreate on the ice should stay on shore until there’s at least 4 inches of new, clear ice. Anytime people are on the ice, they should check its thickness every 150 feet.
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For some people, going out onto the ice as early as possible is a badge of honor, but the reality is they’re putting their lives in danger – and the lives of the people tasked with coming to their rescue should things go wrong,” said Col. Rodmen Smith, DNR Enforcement Division director. “The risk to you and others isn’t worth the reward.”
It will take several consecutive days of below-freezing temperatures to ensure enough solid ice has reformed to support normal traffic. Once the ice has had more time to form, it’s up to each individual to make sure it’s thick enough.
“Don’t take someone else’s word about the condition of the ice, and don’t assume it’s safe just because that’s what you read on social media,” Smith said. “Check for yourself, and make sure you’re prepared for the worst.”
Each year, unexpected falls through thin ice lead to serious injury or death. Wearing a life jacket is the best way to avert tragedy should you fall through the ice, since the initial shock of falling into cold water can incapacitate even strong swimmers. A good set of ice picks will help a person get out, and a cell phone, whistle or other communications device makes it more likely they will be able to call for help.
Kids and thin ice
As excited as they are about the holiday season, many kids are equally curious when it comes to the ice. Talking with children about ice safety now will help them stay safe during this festive time.
“We want families to get out on the ice and have a good time when conditions allow— but we also want parents to make sure kids know ice is never 100 percent safe,” said DNR conservation officer Adam Block. “
They should never go on the ice alone, and they should wear a life jacket and bring safety equipment, including ice picks and a cell phone in case of an emergency.
Also tell them to never follow a friend or pet onto potentially dangerous ice.”
Lakes and ponds that appear frozen are inviting spots for ice skaters and children looking to explore. But ice thickness varies greatly at this time of year. Measure ice thickness in multiple locations before walking on it. There must be at least 4 inches of solid, clear ice for safe walking. Even if the ice is thick enough for walking, always watch children closely.
“By all means, get outside this holiday — but if you’re hosting a party and you live near a pond, lake, or stream, be sure someone is keeping an eye on any kids near the ice,” said Lisa Dugan, DNR recreation safety outreach coordinator. “And make certain that all the adults know who the designee is.”
It can be easy to overlook precautions during outdoor holiday celebrations, so put safety first by following ice safety guidelines.
General ice safety guidelines:
No ice can ever be considered “safe ice,” but following
these guidelines
can help minimize the risk:
- Always wear a life jacket or float coat on the ice (except when in a vehicle).
- Carry ice picks, rope, an ice chisel and tape measure.
- Check ice thickness at regular intervals; conditions can change quickly.
- Bring a cell phone or personal locator beacon.
- Don’t go out alone; let someone know about trip plans and expected return time.
- Before heading out, inquire about conditions and known hazards with local experts.
The minimum ice thickness guidelines for new, clear ice are:
- 4 inches for ice fishing or other activities on foot.
- 5-7 inches for a snowmobile or all-terrain vehicle.
- 8-12 inches for a car or small pickup.
- 12-15 inches for a medium truck.
- Double these minimums for white or snow-covered ice.
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Does my ice shelter need a license?
As more anglers prepare for ice fishing, the DNR sometimes receives questions about ice shelter licenses. Minnesota fishing regulations recognize two types of shelters: portable and non-portable. A portable shelter is one that collapses, folds or is disassembled for transportation. Portable shelters only need licenses and identification when left unattended, which is defined as all occupants being more than 200 feet away. In contrast, all non-portable ice shelters must be licensed. Wheeled fish houses are not considered portable and must be licensed.
An annual shelter license costs $15 for residents and $37 for nonresidents, not including issuing fees that may be charged. A shelter license is valid from March 1 through April 30 of the following year, and a shelter license is not required on border waters between Minnesota and its neighboring states (Wisconsin, Iowa, North Dakota and South Dakota). Licenses can be purchased in person, by telephone or at
mndnr.gov/buyalicense
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Appointees named to Game and Fish Fund oversight committees
December 23, 2019
Minnesota Department of Natural Resources Commissioner Sarah Strommen has appointed 20 Minnesotans to two-year terms on citizen oversight committees that monitor the agency’s fish and wildlife spending.
The new appointees join other members with continuing terms.The appointees are responsible for reviewing the DNR’s annual Game and Fish Fund report in detail and, following discussions with agency leaders and others, prepare reports on their findings.
Appointed to the Wildlife Oversight Committee are
: Karli Cich (White Bear Lake), Phoebe Cole (Warroad), Burl Haar (Afton), Peter Hunt (Excelsior), Benjamin Meyer (Saint Hilaire), Naomi Walker (Saint Louis Park), Brent Walz (Rochester), Matt Weegman (Houston), R John Wells (Saint Paul), Karen Wortman (Bigfork) and Andre Xiong (Oak Grove).
Appointed to the Fisheries Oversight Committee are
: Dana Carlson (Zimmerman), Faith Connors (Princeton), Kirk Duholm (Eagan), David Engels (Menahga), Lindsay Hewitt (Eden Prairie), Samantha Lee (Coon Rapids), Cathy Piepho (New Richland), Courtney Schurhammer (Rochester), and Thomas Wood (Rochester).
In addition, Steven Okins (Willmar) has been appointed to chair the Budgetary Oversight Committee during 2020.
The committees will resume work after the mid-December publication of the DNR’s Game and Fish Fund report for fiscal year 2019.
“We look forward to working with these Minnesotans and bringing diverse voices to the table,” said Bob Meier, DNR assistant commissioner. “The appointments continue our commitment to share detailed budget information, bring new participants into the oversight process and ensure revenue generated by hunting and fishing license sales is used appropriately.”
A total of 161 Minnesotans applied for oversight committee positions. Factors in choosing the new appointees included experience and personal commitment, as well as diversity in geography, demographics, and outdoor interests.
In the weeks ahead, each committee will select a committee chair and four members to serve on an umbrella Budgetary Oversight Committee (BOC). The BOC will produce an overall report on expenditures for game and fish activities. Those BOC report, which includes recommendations, is delivered to the DNR commissioner and legislative committees with jurisdiction over natural resources financing for further consideration.
These oversight committees continue a citizen oversight function first established by statute in 1994. Minnesota’s Game and Fish Fund is the fiscal foundation for much of the state’s core natural resource management functions. About $110 million a year is deposited into this fund from hunting and fishing license sales, a sales tax on lottery tickets, and other sources of revenue including a reimbursement based on a federal excise tax on certain hunting, fishing and boating equipment.
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Special Thanks TROPHY Level Sponsors
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February Club Ice Fishing Outing at Long Lake
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Attention all Twin City Walleye Unlimited Members!!!
Hi club members, we are hosting a local club Ice Fishing event on Long Lake. This is a cool opportunity to fish with other Twin City Walleyes Unlimited Members, make new friends, learn from each other and best of all do some fishing. Hope to see you all there, last year's event was a really fun time.
Our 2020 winter ice fishing outing will be held at Long Lake in Hennepin County. We will meet at Nelson Lakeside Park on Saturday February 1.
Look for the Club Banners out on the ice. We are getting started at 1:00 and will be fishing hard at prime time 5:00 pm. Everyone is welcome to stay as long as they want of course.
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Event Details
Date:
Saturday February 1, 2020
Location:
Long Lake - Long Lake MN
Lunch:
- 2:00 - 2:30 (hot dog dinner, chips, chili)
Fishing -
1:00 to 5:00 pm (Many of us will fish past 5:00)
What to bring:
Bait, comfort snacks, beverages, and all your necessary gear.
Long Lake Fun facts…
- Long Lake is a 284-acre lake with a max depth 33 feet.
- Walleye were last stocked in 2017
- Average size walleye according to the DNR is 19 inches.
- Birch’s on the Lake - Brewhouse and Supperclub has a public dock for recreational boaters during the summer months.
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TCWU Member Pat Horan hoists a beautiful Long Lake Walleye.
Below a nice catch of Long Lake Walleyes and Crappies.
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Don’t overlook Long Lake when trying to decide where to fish, its close proximity to the metro area offers anglers with good crappie fishing and of course good walleye fishing. Long lake also offers quieter lake fishing option to nearby Lake Minnetonka during the summer and winter months.
Dan Camp
TCWU Board Member
Directions to Nelson Lakeside Park Lake Access
(1860 Symes Street Long Lake MN 55356)
From Highway 169,100 or 494
- Take Highway 394 (Hwy 12) West
- Exit on Wayzata Blvd to downtown Long Lake (County road 112)
- Turn Right on Lake Street continue straight to Nelson Lakeside Park.
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Did you know there is a
Take a Kid Fishing weekend, and its FREE!
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Minnesotans 16 or older!
who take a child fishing who is 15 years or younger do not need a fishing license of any kind on this special weekend.
Click on the Take A Kid Fishing Logo for more information and helpful tips.
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Thank You LUNKER Sponsors!
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A direct and compelling headline
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Guest Speaker re-cap featuring
Nate Winters
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What a treat to have Nate Winters join the Club at our December Meeting. We all appreciate you trekking in from Ogdensburg, WI. Thanks for sharing so many cool fishing insights and strategies. Here is a re-cap of Nate's presentation For those members who
couldn't make it.
Here is a little bite about Nate:
Nate is 30 years young from small town Ogdensburg, Wisconsin.
His passion for the outdoors led him to career as a outdoor photographer, a videographer working for several TV shows and a competitive ice fisherman.
His ice fishing career began on the Team Extreme Ice Fishing Circuit, where he achieved early success with a 2015 second place finish at the national championships. Since then, Nate began fishing the NAIFC circuit and will be competing in his third season fishing on the USA Ice Team this year.
“People who fish share a universal language throughout the world; whether it’s, recreational fishing, transportation, tournament fishing, tackle or commercial fishing for food, we all can connect through fishing.”
International Fishing with the USA Ice Team
Nate’s first international opportunity was in 2017, in Russia on the Volga River. No live bait was allowed or any lures made with natural materials such as hair. Nate brought 50 lbs of tackle as Bait shops in Russia do not carry anything close to what we have here in the US. The game fish he was targeting were Zander, Northern Pike and Perch.
Nate had a little luck on his side, he commented with a chuckle “ I got to fish out of a luxurious little Jon boat in 20 mph winds, and with a boat driver that didn’t speak English.” No electronics were allowed and all the maps were in meters. Lucky for Nate his Navionics were operational and accurate.
Nate made and keeps in touch with the many good friends that he meets on his international events, which is representative of the Universal Language of fishing Nate referred too. Fishermen are able and willing to connect with each other regardless of communication barriers.
Nate also mentioned that there are professional leagues in Russia, which is cool. It’s fun to know the competitive aspect of fishing can be found everywhere there are fish.
Nate fished in England in 2018 and their plan was to fish shiver minnows for Zander. They were accommodated with 16 foot drift boats a 30 foot anchor and high winds, so windy in fact that his team overnighted a trolling motor to help with the high winds
Bulgaria 2019 – the lake they were scheduled to fish had open water, so they were bused to a new lake only one team knew about. There was 9 inches of ice, tons of snow and knee deep slush. Exhausting!
The US struggles in world tourneys due to not having time to fish the lakes overseas. Advantage goes to the home team for sure.
There is no money in these competitions, it’s all for the medal, the title, friends and the experience.
The European fishing philosophy is to bring the fish to them by using bait piles to attract the fish. The trick is to get an established bait pile under your hole at a certain depth and lure them in. European fish are conditioned to this type of fishing, opposed to the US were we go find the fish. Our fishing techniques do not work in Europe, which is another reason why it is so difficult for us to compete over there.
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The rules in these tournaments require the angler to pack light and store everything they need on their person. Below is a picture of Nate all geared up. Where are his fishing rods you might ask?
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Nate has a dozen tiny palm rods packed in his gear packs somewhere?
They are definitely unique and are extremely efficient. Check out Nate in action with one by clicking on the video.
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Equipment
Believe it or not, Nate doesn't use tiny palm rods to often in the US. He actually prefers a conventional custom ice rod that we all can relate too. He is a big fan of one of our local Pro shops
DH Custom Rods
.
Below are a few of his recommendations
For Pan fish Nate uses the 24 ½ inch Pro Staff Seven Deuce Noodle rod with the ultra-sensitive ABS Carbon handle. Nate called out the sensitivity of the ABS handle and the transfer of energy from the rod to the handle into the feel of your hand. These rods are designed with sensitive tips and are quick on hook sets, due to the significant backbone in the rod blank. The backbone kicks in about 5 inches from the tip and you won’t experience bend over at the handle like most noodle rods, which is a huge plus on bigger fish.
For us Walleye Club anglers Nate recommends three different rod options:
The Perch Pounder -
is a medium moderate rod designed for small to medium size ice spoons and yet it features plenty of backbone to handle a big Walleye.
The Walleye Stinger -
is a medium heavy extra fast rod designed for Larger Spoons, Jigging Raps or Lip-less Rattle baits.
Both of these rods are designed for fishermen who like to fish with feel. They are made with ultra-sensitive Japanese carbon blanks and have even better feel when you add the DH Custom ABS Carbon handle. Rod lengths can be customized to your preference as well.·
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Below Shawn the "Beard" Schlosser from DH Custom Rods demonstrates the toughness and backbone of the Walleye Stinger.
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The Big Boy Noodle
– is a new innovative rod to consider. This is the only Glass rod that can handle lures ranging from ¼ ounce up to 1 ounce or larger. It comes in custom lengths from 28 to 48 inches. It has excellent backbone and is virtually unbreakable.
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Click on the DH Logo for more information on DH Custom Rods, and to check out all of their custom options.
Owner Dusty Hafner posted several short informative videos that are really helpfully for picking out you favorite custom rod options. You can also stop by in person at their shop in Navarre and talk to Dusty or Shawn in person.
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Nate's Fishing Tips
- Big fish will sometimes hang with other big fish, sometimes you can catch a nice mixed bag in one hot spot.
- Use a camera to see the things that sonar can't show you. Know what you are fishing for, could be an entirely different species under the hole.
- Fish will run sparse weed lines in lakes with heavy predators, don’t ignore these areas.
- Aerial google earth photos can tell you more about the lake than maps. A Lake's clarity is easily visible on these images. Weed lines and significant structures are clearly outlined on clear lakes, which make identifying prime fishing locations a breeze.
- Fish over mud bottoms for pan fish, they will not feed over sand.
- Humminbird flashers don’t experience any interference except for other Humminbirds. Not many folks use them smart to own one.
- Widen your hook gaps, on hooks and jigs for crappie.
- Consider different line or leader options. The German Stroft fly tippet fluorocarbon line has a .001 diameter line that doesn’t float, has a consistent diameter and 3 lb test break strength. Common 2 lb test lines in the US have a .005 diameter.
- Buy quality rods. It is important to use quality rods for feel, hook sets and fighting the fish. The reel on the other hand doesn’t need to be anything special. Nate uses the $5.00 Schooly reel for pan fishing, which keeps your line from coiling and spinning your lure.
- Drop your cameras slowly in basins, fish are curios and will come in and look. Spin it 360 and slowly.
- Nate lives and dies by live bait. He like using spikes over wax worms because waxy's are too big. Every fish in the water will eat a spike and you can use multiple spikes. Since spikes are a little smaller you might be able to scale down a jig size. They are perfect for cold fronts.
- Change up your colors when using plastics until you find the one they want.
- Skandia Cream and Green glow jig is his secret jig. Use glow in stained water.
- Sometimes you can move from hole to hole a little too fast. You may spook the fish away when approaching your spot and cutting your holes. Let them rest for a while to allow the fish to return. Nate has gone as far as to take off his ice cleats on his approach, hand drill holes and sit there not moving for a half hour waiting for the fish to return.
- Nate uses tungsten almost always. Use smaller jigs for slower drops.
- Plan your fishing outings around stable weather patterns for the best fishing. Two or three days of stable weather equals the best time to go.
- There is a specific cadence to every bait and rod. Take the time to practice your techniques and match your tackle to your equipment.
- Fluorocarbon line has less stretch and sinks.
- Nate ties the length of his leader from the micro swivel to equal the depth of the ice so he knows when the fish is approaching the bottom of the hole. It’s a key indicator to slow down so he can play the fish. Crappies will bang the bottom of the ice to dislodge a hook.
Thanks for the great meeting Nate and continued success!
Russell Nelson
Board Member Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited
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Doc's Pro Tip of the Month
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President Doc Wood interviews Nate Winters who shares this
"Pro Tip of the Month" segment. Click on the image above to link to
Doc and Nate's discussion.
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TCWU Club Outing, Walleye Camp and Ice Fishing Clinic with Tony Roach
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Hey great news members, we have scheduled Ice Fishing outing and clinic with TCWU club friend Tony Roach as our guide and coach on Friday January 10, 2020 on
Lake Mille Lacs!
We will be meeting for breakfast at Nitti's Hunters Point Resort and head out fishing soon after. Tony will coach us up at breakfast and lay out the game plan for an all day walleye fish.
- If you are interested click on the link below. Space is limited, Tony can host up to 40 of us at a time.
If you and your fishing buddies want to turn this into a weekend of fishing, contact Nitti's directly (see contact information below). Nitti's offers lodging and a variety of fish house rentals.
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Ice Update
Ice conditions are improving and the snow has settled down. With a few cold nights the ice should be looking good. 7 - 10 inches currently with the potential of 12 to 14 next week. Rental houses are getting put out but still limiting wheeler's and sleds only.
Event Details
Date:
Friday
January 10, 2020
Cost
: $130 each attendee
Breakfast
- Approximately 7:00 AM
Fishing -
8:00 AM - to 5:30 PM (45 minutes after sunset)
Meeting Location:
Nitti's Hunters Point Resort
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Newsletters are now posted on
the TCWU Website!
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Hey great news members, We have made a few changes to the www.tcwalleyes.com website, which include PDF's of our past newsletters posted to the News and Newsletters tab. If you are looking for those missing Guest speaker fishing tips, well now you got them any time you need.
Click on the link below to check it out.
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Thank You KEEPER Sponsors!
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Thank you VALUED Club Donors
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Click on their logo or go to www.targetwalleye.com to check out
their website and see what its all about
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TC Walleyes Unlimited, Inc.
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