Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited - Monthly Newsletter |
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Thank You!
Greetings Club friends! What a gorgeous weekend of weather. I hope you all got a chance to enjoy the fishing opener. We had a great club meeting season this year. Thanks to Joel Nelson for ending our year on a high note. Joel gave an awesome presentation on mastering jig fishing. If you did not get a chance to attend the meeting, it is worth reading through the speaker notes below.
I want to give a BIG THANK YOU to all of you, our club members. Thanks to all the new members and all of you who renewed your membership. We can not do all the things we do without your support.
I’m excited to announce we reached our goal of $2,000 for our GIVE project. The new shed we are donating to Camp Fire MN will be delivered soon. Thank you for making this project a success!
Don’t forget we have our spring club fishing outing on Saturday, May 21 at Buffalo Lake. You can see all the details below.
Also, we need volunteers for our Fraser outing on Saturday, June 4th. What a great day we get to share with our friends at Fraser. Check out the article below for more information and to sign up to volunteer.
I hope you have a safe and fun summer! I can’t wait to see you all in September as we kick off our season with guest speakers Eric and Kevin McQuoid.
Dale Meinders
President - Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited
Connect | Educate | Give
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Take our Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited questionnaire to help the board plan our events & objectives
The purpose of this questionnaire is to gain our members interests and to guide the board as it plans for the future. We would appreciate if you could complete as much as you are comfortable with. None of the information you provide will be shared outside of the club. Those who submit their answers will be entered into a drawing to win a $25 Gift card from Scheels!
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Membership has
it's advantages
Join TCWU or renew today by registering on-line at:
You can find out more information about Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited and our Events by going to our website and on Facebook
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Larry Hanson joins TCWU as
Guest Speaker on Thursday October 6th
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Larry Hanson is the host of Real Talk Outdoors radio show on BOB FM and a full time Professional Fishing Guides with over 30 years of experience in multi species fishing. He features guided trips on our local twin city metro lakes, Brainerd area lakes, and the Upper Mississippi River for smallmouth bass. We are excited that he will be sharing his 30 years of experience with the club at our October 6th meeting and are especially interested on learning fishing tips, techniques, patterns, and presentations for our local metro area lakes.
Make sure to mark your calendars we will see you on Thursday October 6th!
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TCWU Guest Speaker line up 2022-23 |
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Giving Back to the Community |
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TC Walleyes Unlimited donates shed and fishing gear to Camp Fire Minnesota
Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime.
While this proverb catches newbie fishermen, it casts wider when introducing youth to the wonders of the outdoors.
This spring, the non-profit Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited organization helped foster those introductions, building/donating a storage shed that sits on the Camp Fire Minnesota property located on the shores of Lake Minnewashta (3300 Tanadoona Dr., Excelsior, MN).
The shed stores Camp Fire Minnesota’s fishing and water-front equipment.
In an effort to fill the shed’s shelves, Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited also donated fishing poles, tackle and tackle boxes.
“Camp Fire Minnesota is an inclusive nature-based youth development organization, serving a highly diverse population of youth in the Twin Cities metro area” says Becca Fink, Director of Programs and Operations at Camp Fire Minnesota. “Youth have expressed a strong interest in fishing, having this new shed to store and organize our fishing gear will help increase our ability to provide fishing experiences and provide our kids an exciting opportunity to grow new outdoor skills”.
Introducing kids to the outdoors while supporting the sport of fishing plays right into Twin Cities Walleyes Unlimited strength: connecting people to the sport of fishing.
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Special Thanks to our Sponsors |
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Club member Jim Ryks affectionately known as Jiggin Jim, offers Fishing Guide and Taxidermy Service to many of our west metro lakes. Based out of Buffalo Mn, Jim has 40 years of experience
His expertise as an avid hunter and fisherman to legions of aspiring outdoorsmen. His services include taxidermy and guided fishing expeditions out onto the freshwater lakes and rivers of MInnesota aboard his 690-series Ranger watercraft. On those picturesque waters, he shows his charges how to use bait, spin casting, and trolling methods to pull up prime specimens such as largemouth bass and walleye. Open water fishing season lasts from April to November, and taxidermy of the fish is half off with the guide service. When not snaring fish and mounting them, Jim's taxidermy services extend to land-roaming animals such as whitetail deer, antelope, bears, elk, moose, and even bison. Let Jiggin Jim’s Taxidermy preserve the moment you pulled the trigger, let the arrow fly or set the hook by creating a once in a lifetime mount you will be proud to display.
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Congratulations to Dan Camp on winning the 2022
TCWU Open club fishing Championship
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May 21st 2022 TCWU members enjoyed a cold spring day chasing walleyes on Buffalo Lake. High water levels and a strong north wind made the outing chilly still multiple species of fish were caught. Pictured above, TCWU member Dan Camp took home the walleye plaque with two walleyes caught. |
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TCWU Member Paul Yanzer caught and released this “future” 30” walleye.
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TCWU Member Jeff Lavigne caught this 12” crappie.
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TCWU Member Calissa Shea with a nice smallmouth bass.
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TCWU Member Kail Lavigne with a nice smallmouth bass!
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One-fish walleye limit set on Mille Lacs Lake for spring, fall fishing
Mille Lacs Lake walleye anglers will see a relaxed harvest slot for walleye fishing beginning Thursday, Sept 1. As announced in March of this year, the one-fish walleye limit will resume and an expansion of the harvest slot, anglers will be able to harvest one walleye 20-23 inches or one longer than 26 inches, with fishing allowed from 6 a.m. to midnight. The original walleye harvest slot for fall fishing on Mille Lacs this year was one fish 21-23 inches or one longer than 28 inches.
Minnesota Legislature Fails to Support MN DNR in 2022
Please read TCWU Club Friend Steve Pennaz's MN-Fish article below, which reminds us all on the importance of the need to create a Unified Voice!
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Join MN-Fish and help support a Unified Voice to improve our fishing future! |
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The MN-FISH™ Sportfishing Foundation and Coalition, led by President Ron Schara, was formed to help reverse negative trends and bring a strong, unified voice to St. Paul advocating for our anglers, our fisheries and our next generation of anglers. |
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There is only one way to take on these fishing related issues and raise awareness and that's By working together!
That’s why fishing leaders, innovators and legends came together to build a fishing advocacy group focused on improving fishing for future generations to enjoy.
It’s your “State of Fishing" and we need you to become a participant. Together, we can accomplish our mission!
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Become a MN-Fish Member
Three ways to join
- Free Charter Membership
- Founding Member
- Life Member
To learn more go to:
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MN-Fish’s 2022 - Successes, Challenges
By Steve Pennaz
If anything, 2022 has been a reminder of why state anglers need a strong voice at the Minnesota legislature. Once again, despite a record budget surplus of more than $9.25 billion, and support from the Minnesota DNR, the legislature failed to invest any funding for critical infrastructure upgrades to aging state fish hatcheries and boat ramps across the state.
MN-FISH’s four experienced lobbyists and several board members, including MN-FISH Executive Director Mark Holsten and president Ron Schara, spent weeks at the state capitol meeting with legislators to gather support for key funding bills.
The legislature refused to vote on any bonding bill before the session ended, leaving anglers across the state frustrated and angry.
Meanwhile, in Michigan, the legislature there passed a bill this spring providing $30 million dollars to improve state fish hatcheries. Dennis Eade, executive director of the Michigan Salmon and Steelhead Fishermen’s Association, quoted in Michigan Outdoor News, said “I think it was monumental! It’s going to set us up for decades.”
There is still a chance Minnesota Gov. Tim Walz will call a special session. If so, the legislature will have another opportunity to make needed investments back into fishing and boating. If the governor doesn’t call a special session, MN-FISH will work to get funding bills passed in 2023.
By Steve Pennaz, as seen in The September MN-Fish Member E-News
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TCWU Pro-tip of the Month
Featuring Eric and Kevin McQuoid
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September guest speakers, Eric and Kevin McQuoid share their “Pro Tip of the Month“ on catching walleyes with Club President Dale Meinders.
Thanks for the great meeting Eric and Kevin!
Click on the photo below to hear what was shared!
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Guest Speaker re-cap
Featuring Eric and Kevin McQuoid
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TCWU hosted Eric and Kevin McQuoid at our September Club Meeting. We were honored to host the two hottest walleye tournament anglers on the planet, Kevin finished 4th in the NWT Angler of Year standings, just 10 points out of first and Eric holds the 2021 NWT Championship title!
Eric grew up in a fishing family at Mac's Twin Bay resort. His parents Kevin and Karen are tournament anglers and introduced Eric into the Masters Walleye Circuit (MWC) tournaments at age 15. In six short years Eric became the youngest NWT Champion at age 21! Not to be out done Kevin responded by taking charge in 2022 and leading the AOY heading into the Championship on Lake Erie on August 23rd.
They are both an amazing anglers and educator who shared years of walleye fishing experience, fishing techniques and strategy's. For those who missed the meeting you will find a recap of Eric and Kevin's favorite fishing techniques, baits, equipment and tips, that are sure to broaden your fishing skills, enjoy!
Garmin Live Target LVS34
- Best Detail
- Can follow the fish and watch them come up for your bait
- Pitch an 1/8 ounce jig and a minnow and see it out 70 feet and 25 feet down
- Use the low setting and 72% on the gain – you may have to adjust settings slightly
- Forward mode is a 120 degree side to side and 20 degree down
- Can be frustrating because you see a lot of fish that you realize you can’t catch
- Target the fish off the bottom they are more active!
Bobber fishing
- Use premium slip bobbers with a brass insert to help get your line down to the bottom effectively
- Bobber stop set 2 to 4 feet above the fish or bottom and you’ll have more success
- 1/16 or 1/8 ounce jigs
- Fun to watch with your Garmin, Eric commented on seeing walleyes taking your bait and swimming sideways for 10 seconds before the bobber moved
- 7 foot rod – helps you make better casts
- Keep your distance - Anchor above the sweet spot and place your cast so that your rig drifts into it
- Large leeches work best, perch color jigs, and hook below and not in the sucker for longer life
- Hook crawlers wacky style
- Prefers 8 lb Trilene mono for smooth casting. Will use braid but you need tie on a leader
- Roll the bobber stops between
- Prefers the unweighted bobber because they will signal to you when they are on bottom by lying flat. You lose this opportunity when using a weighted bobber
New Baits
- New Gulp leeches have been good
- Can use them bobber fishing but you will need to create bait action by twitching the bobber rig
Lindy Rigs
- Medium rod fast action
- 8 lb Trilene XL mono
- 1/2 to 5/8 ounce weight
- Use a big enough swivel to hold the weight and not get stuck – Use a bead to protect the knot
- 8 foot leaders especially in clear water
- Leech and a Chartreuse Bead
- Purple, white and green hooks
- Runs Lind’s at .7 MPH
- Doesn’t use spinners too often, but runs them at 1 MPH
- Let out enough line to run at a 45 degree angle
- Use a floater if you are encountering Zebra Muscles
- Pro Tip – every 15 seconds check bottom – drop your rod back hit bottom and lift it back up. They experience quite a few hits when checking bottom
- Doesn’t drag the bottom likes to be just off the bottom
- Open bail and lets them take it 7 seconds to start. Will change the count
- If walleyes are swallowing count less
- If missing them try a longer count
Creek Chubs
- Work all fall
- Focus on Deeper rock piles or rock points
- Windy days = Walleyes - Calm Days = Big Smallmouth
- Shorter leaders 5 feet to keep them out of Zebras
- Uses 1 aught wide gap hook
- Speed 1 MPH
- Feeds them 7 seconds, some anglers feed them 30 seconds to a minute
Lead Core Trolling
- Don’t need an expensive rod
- Use a line counter to ensure accurate distance for calculating lure choice
- Use the precision trolling app
- Uses a snap swivel for quick lure changes
- Likes to keep contact with the bottom and will let more line out to get there
- Use baits colors that Match the bait fish in the lake
- Starts with Perch colors on Mille Lac and adjusts from there.
- Bright days = bright flashy lures – Dark days use darker less flashy
- #5 and #7 Flicker Shads are their go to lure
- Pro Tip – Tip your lures with one inch of crawler to add scent
- Check out the new Berkley Money Badger – The pro’s are have good success with this bait.
Glide Baits (Jigging Raps)
- Uses a medium fast action rod with 14 lb braid and a 4-foot Fluorocarbon leader. Uses an Albright Knot to connect lines
- Use a snap Swivel
- Eric won the NWT in 2021 with the Hyper Rattle
- Changes his cadence until he finds what is working. Uses longer lifts further from the boat and shortens them as he works towards the boat.
Mille Lacs
- Opener = ¼ ounce Jig and a Shiner minnow. Eric likes to use 3 to 4 inch plastics to change it up
- Ned rigs, Fluke minnows, Paddle tails, drop shots
- Fish the weed edges
- Early June Bobber rigs, works all year
- Fall pulling larger minnows on deeper rock points
- Try Planer Boards to get away from the boat
- Strong winds will cloud the lake and give you an opportunity to change your approach
- Pro Tip – Fish the south end of the lake in the rocks or find shallow resident fish when there is a May Fly hatch. Avoid the Mud!
Special thanks to Eric and Kevin for kicking off our 2022/23 TCWU club event season. We had an amazing meeting and appreciate all the walleye fishing tips you shared. We urge you to keep in touch by following Kevin and Eric's social media to for continued the latest outdoor news on equipment, lures, and fishing updates.
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TC Walleyes Unlimited, Inc. |
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