I've been on about 15 trips to the BWCA over the years, and I would have to say that the vast majority of fish that we've eaten have been smallies. I would prefer to eat walleyes, and cook them whenever we catch one, but many of our trips have been in August, and we just never caught many walleyes. We enjoy eating the bass. Do most folks eat smallies?

I eat bass, they're great as long as they're not from muddy little lakes.

I like them.

Please, do your part in saving our lakes and keep as many as possible!

JT does

Yeah we eat 'em too

We all like to fish and try to have at least one meal of good fillets during a trip.....so whatever we're catching we will eat

these particular smallies made a good supper...

Woodpecker

If we're not catching fish .......WELL, homemade bisquits and sausage gravy hits the spot too.. Woodpecker

YEP!!!

cedarboy

As a rule we really don't eat them. We have on year's when the walleye bite was off. It's hard to justify eating bass when walleyes are biting. That being said, I'd rather catch smallmouth than walleyes from the sporting standpoint.

If someone filleted them up and you didn't know which was which, could you tell the smallie from the walleye?

YES!!!

Fishing around here on the Mississippi, i only eat walleyes and panfish. Heck, a lot of the guys i know won't even eat crappies. When i get up there i hope to catch the bass for the sport and the smaller walleyes for the lunch :)

Eating smallies - that's like eating your dog!

Why is eating smallies like eating your dog?

People who really like to fish smallies know how long it takes them to reach 17+ inches and they have a hard time killing them. We eat smallies when the going gets tough, but we try to eat smaller fish and let the hogs go for someone else to experience. There's certainly nothing wrong with eating them and I'm guessing there are quite a few lakes that need a few smallies removed to save on the lakers.

They're not a natural fish up here, they tend to take over lakes.

They were introduced as game fish about a 100 years ago.

Ask any locals, the number of bass in almost every lake goes up every year, and the number of other fish go down.

'cept Lake Trout, because they don't really inhabit the same parts of the lake.

The DNR doesn't talk about it because they're such a popular game fish.

Eat the smallies and throw the walleyes back---smallies are an invasive species---if you don't want to eat them throw them on the shore---they are just like carp to me!

Alright I might be talking a little tongue-in-cheek the sportsman in me says it is wastefull to throw them on the bank, but they are not natural and I think they ruin the walleye fishing. I have been seeing more of them on Lake Insula over the years and it is depressing.

Catching walleyes year round is a challenge, while if you can't catch smallies you might as well turn in your fishing pole--there is no hope for you. I'm usually spending a lot of my time trying to figure out how to keep those red eyed bastards off of my line.

So yeah eat-em up!!

Tim

Eat them up, Yummm! ~Barnes and Barnes

My two cents:

Smallies taste better than nothing.
Walleyes taste better than smallies.
Northern (if you get can get those Y bones out) actually have a better flavor than walleye.
Bluegill -- yes bluegill -- are the sweetest, best tasting of them all.

Discuss.

I agree about the bluegills. Mmmmm.

I'd rather eat smallies than walleye. IMHO, walleye are for those that don't like fish. Don't get me wrong, I'll eat walleye, it's just that I think smallies have a stronger flavor (which I like).

I tend to lean towards the side that say smallies are an invasive spiecies and should be wiped out. I may not go that extreme but neither do I advocate catch & release of smallies in the BWCA.

Actually everything I say is a moot point ... I'm talking as if I can actually catch a fish.

Smallies may not be native but they have become part of the Q and BW. They have become a symbol of sorts for the area. I am sure some of you have seen some fishing shows that took place in the BW.(Jerry Mckinnis Fishin Hole..) They don't fish for eyes they fish for smallies. I treat them with the same respect as I do all fish up there. Release all the big females, eat the small males. The last bass I ate had to be 10 years ago.

Besides the obvious bloated stomach of a pregnant female, how does one tell the difference between males and females?

Moheep.

They are destroying the ecosystem.

They are causing a sharp decrease in native fish populations.

There is no challenge in catching bass either, I've caught dozens of 4 to 5 pound bass by accident, and even two or three over 6.

Blah!

Ask them if they want to go shopping. If they raise a fin, they are female.

Trygv.

I wouldn't say that the smallies are destroying the ecosystem in the Boundary Waters. I would simply say that they are changing it.

Also, just because they are easy to catch doesn't mean they aren't fun to catch. I absolutely love fishing topwater lures in the evenings in the Boundary Waters. It's what I dream about when I am at the office.

Bromel

Just like lampreys changed the Lake Superior Ecosystem? It's painful to watch as waters that once produced northerns, trout and walleyes, slowly become dominated by bass.

To some folks they have changed things for the better. I have fished these areas for more than 25 years and I have seen no change in walleye populations. I don't know were these facts are coming from. I would love to read them. There are a bunch of people that take trips to the BW and Q just to fish for SM and many of them are on this forum. The idea of killing a species off just because you don't like them has gotten us in trouble during the course of history. I am with you Bromel I dream about those top water explosions. By the way trygve I have caught many a walleye by accident fishing for smallies!! Many over 28 inches me boy

This is why I try to eat our limit when we can. There is no shortage of smallies. They are, I guess , an invasive species that doesnt catch the flak because of the millions of $$$$ they bring in to the state each year. BW/Q is becoming known throughout the country as great smallmouth waters, just look at how many guides, guide for smallies now as opposed to guiding for eyes like they did years ago. They were stocked without concern for the future. And honestly it is hard to tell them apart fresh out of the skillet. Maybe I dont have a very delicate palet. They are fun to catch though.

cedarboy

Guys, unless you're Native American were all invasive species.

Trygve

I think it's a little unfair to compare smallies in the Boundary Waters to the lamprey invasion of the Great Lakes. The lampries are truly a totally alien species that came from the ocean through the Saint Lawrence seaway. Keep in mind that the smallmouth bass is native to Minnesota. The Mississippi and most of it's tributaries have smallmouth bass, and the Mississippi watershed is located only a couple hours drive from the Boundary Waters.

Do you have any scientific data to show that the introduction of smallmouth bass to the Boundary Waters is "causing a sharp decrease in native fish populations." I really doubt that you could show me some real hard evidence. Maybe the presence of smallmouth is actually helping the other species by providing additional food sources???

There has been at least one study done on the effects of the introduction of smallmouth bass to BWCA area lakes. A really good book, "The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem" by Miron "Bud" Heinselman, has some great information about this subject. As I recall, the walleye populations on some lakes were negatively impacted, while on other lakes there was little or no impact. Also, on some of the impacted lakes there was partial recovery of the walleye populations over time. The type of lake and type of structure in the lake seemed to make a difference.

Excuse me while I strap my parachute on and bail out!

Brommel--

I can't, I've only been to the boundary waters a couple times.

Sorry!

Maybe I will see you up there sometime. I'll take you topwater fishing for smallies and then fry some up for you. :)

Don't kid yourself--smallies have not helped any of the native fish populations.

Recently in the last year there was an article in the BWJ that talked about the negative impact smallies can have on Lake Trout. In some deep water basins the smallies compete for the ciscoes, and may even eat Lake trout fry. I think it depends on the lake structure again, but smallies have negatively impacted other species. They are very adaptable.

Another example of smallies negative impact is ever decreasing presence of Large mouth bass. Where ever smallies took a foot hold, there has been a decrease in the LMB population. Heck someone even posted on here last month that they were surprised when they had caught LMB---when before they introduced smallies the only bass you could catch in the BWCAW/Quetico was a largemouth. Crooked Lake used to be known as a good largemouth lake----any one here of any being caught on Crooked recently? I don't think so--I'd call that a negative impact on a species.

What about the brook trout lakes up there? Once the smallies get into a brook trout lake--they destroy it. Typically the DNR will poison the lake and just start all over again by restocking trout. I know not the best example since neither species is probably native to the lakes--but just trying to show how they don't help other fish populations.

So we have negative impact on native species Lake Trout, Walleyes, brook trout (maybe native--maybe not), and Largemouth Bass.

When I go to my favoite walleye reef and half of my catch is SMB where I never caught them before---and I catch less than half as many walleyes---I would call that a negative impact as well.

You can damn well bet none of those red eyes I caught on the reef are swimming any more :).

I know they are here to stay---erradication would be impossible both enviromentally and economically----but I don't have to like it.

Okay--finally don't take me too seriously---because I might change my tune after a day of fighting 3-5 pounders :)

Tim

Couldn't have said it better myself Tim.

Boy I wish all the smallies up there would move down here... I just love to catch them... and being a former bass fisherman, tournaments and all that stuff, I have a hard time eating bass at all. Largemouth or smallmouth.
That said, never let it go unsaid that if I foul hook a bass in the gills and there is a chance of it not surviving... it goes into the skillet and they sautee up nicely!! Nothing quite like a nice pan seared fillet, cooked with a small amount of olive oil and a pat of butter... nestled on a plate with ranch potato's with cheese, and some nice steamed brocoli!

Or what the heck!! fry that sucker up with cornmeal and oil, fry the spuds and put corn and Jalapenos in the hush puppies for vegetables!! and enjoy!!

Bruce

I've only fished the Boundary Waters weekly for about 15 years... Winter and Summer.

I really don't know much about the bass up here, though...

I've learned a lot from the all the seasoned bass anglers in this thread.

Thanks!

I don't eat fish much. But some of my group members will eat what they can chatch.

Heres one from the mighty Miss (SW Wi) a couple years back in the spring... Caught by yours truly...

Tasty... guys we aren't talking Carp here! Walleyes are better, but it's a matter of slight degree better.

This thread was sort of fascinating to me. I love to fish smallmouth (walleye too), and had no idea there was so much hostility toward them in the BW. I'm really curious...is this a local thing (in other words, people that live within shouting distance of the BW)? Is it from people who have spent a lot of time in the BW? Is it from people who always fished exclusively for other species?
I ask because most fisherman that I know would go to the BW specifically for SM (I'm in Illinois) and would never view them as a nuisance.

billsta, its probably a regional thing. I lived in Ely for years and the locals would only fish for walleyes. Anything else including pike are thought of as rough fish and killed. The thing I don't get is that you rarely hear of anyone complaining about the big pike eating all the walleyes or musky eating all the other fish period. The locals up there also would shoot most wolves on sight if they knew they would not get caught. The wolves are thought of in a similar fashion as the smallies. Kill em all and get rid of the problem. I happen to love to fish for the sport. There really isn't a fish out there that is more sporting than a smallie. Again my personal opinion. I wish people would just enjoy em. They are there to stay. Go ahead and eat all the males you want. I can't imagine eating a 4 lb smallie, but I am sure some of you do.

The reason lifetime locals wouldn't complain about northerns and muskys eating walleyes or other fish is because they are NATIVE species. Not introduced species.

Hey Trygve, could you tell me a couple of lakes where I can find those 6# smallies that you want killed? I'll even put your name on the brass plate under the carcass when it's on my wall.

Rose lake, Seagull, Saganaga, Saganagons, the ENTIRE Falls Chain, Kenny, Kawnipi, Duncan, the Granite River, Pine, Swan, ALL the Cone Lakes, Brule Lake. And many more.

I have caught really big 5+ smallmouth in all those lakes.

Seagull, Leo, Hungry Jack, East Bearksin, West Bearskin, Flour, Saganaga, Alpine, Jasper, Ogish, Rog, Tern, Fern, Red Rock, Saganagons, the Falls Chain, Kenny, Kawnipi, McFarland, West Pike, East Pike, John, The Man Chain, etc.

These are all lakes that I've personally noticed significant increases in Smallmouth bass populations and significant decreases in native fish populations.

It's a "local thing" because it is our HOME, these woods and waters mean a heck of a lot more to those that were born and raised in them than to some weekend warriors.

And it bothers me, along with a lot of other people to sit around and watch our native fish slowly vanish.

(Update to an earlier post) The book "The Boundary Waters Wilderness Ecosystem" by Miron "Bud" Heinselman has some great information about this subject. There has been at least one study done on the effects of the introduction of smallmouth bass to BWCA area lakes - Johnson and Hale 1977. The 20-year study involved four lakes in the BWCA area. The lakes in the study were Hungry Jack, Big Lake, Pike and Two Island. In three of the four lakes, the walleye population decreased as the smallmouth population increased, while on the fourth lake (Pike) the walleye population actually increased along with the bass population. In Pike, the walleyes fed more heavily on fish while the bass fed more heavily on crayfish. On the three impacted lakes, the smallmouth populations peaked and then declined. After 20 years, neither population had fully recovered in the three lakes.

It's simple math. When you introduce non native species, it will compete with the natural fish for the limited resources. The native populations will always suffer the effects to some extent. It's not too hard to figure that out. There is only so much food and habitat in the low fertility Candian Shield lakes.

Trygve, I'm not a local, although I am a Minnesotan. I'm concerned, too. I guess what hits me is that there used to be "trout lakes", and "walleye lakes", and "smallmouth lakes", and "pike lakes" (though basically in all lakes some northern pike could be caught). When you went to a walleye lake you may catch a few pike but primarily you caught walleye. And that was like that not very long ago, less than a short 15 years ago. Now the smallmouth have become so invansive that you catch them everywhere. And it's just not a few accidental ones.

All this has happened in a reletively short time as well, but you probably know better than me. One that comes immediately to mind is Insula. I'd say 10 years ago it was unheard of to catch a smallmouth there. Guys made that trip so they could catch lots of walleye. Now the lake has tons of smallmouth.

Billsta--I'll try to answer your question. My roots are in Minnesota, although I was raised in Iowa. I grew up catching SMB on the Iowa river, but when we went up to visit relatives in MN we went to fish walleyes. I don't know if you call it a culture or tradition or both. To us on almost any given day fishing meant walleyes. The joke/stereotype of my relatives was that smallies were stocked for the southerners (anybody south of MN is considered being from the south) who couldn't catch walleye. They needed to stock something easy to catch. So that is partly my bias---it has been drilled into my head since I was a babe that only people that can't fish target smallies. There I said it---I'm a smallie racist :).

My main bias against smallies though is what I said earlier. They spread like wildfire. Bannock makes a good point--10 years ago you caught the occasional SMB on Insula and usually it was in a current type area. Now I am catching them out in the mid lake reefs where I never caught them before, and guess what it is getting harder to get those walleyes.

The Ontario Ministries of Natural Resources has classified the SMB as an invasive species and has recognized that they have negatively impacted the walleyes in some lakes. They have talked about taking away creel limits on SMB and have begun an educational program encouraging the harvest/eating of SMB and catch and release of walleyes.

Let me put it in local terms for you. Let's say you grew up your whole life hunting wild turkeys or quail, but some local outfitter decided it was too hard to teach us northerners how to hunt those birds so they introduced a non native bird that reproduced faster and was easier to hunt--- but really didn't give you the local much of a challenge at all. Then you start to notice these new game birds are pushing out your quail and turkeys to the point the old spots you used to hunt only have this new bird. You would like to pass this tradition of hunting along to your son, but now you can't--you have to hunt this easy bird. Of course all of these guys from the north love it because they travel along ways and want to be guaranteed success---they try to tell you how much better the hunting is because of this new stocked bird--how much better this new bird is----but I guarantee most of you wouldn't like any more than I like seeing the SMB take over where the walleyes or trout are.

There is nothing I can do to change what happened, but as I said before I don't have to like it. If the roles were reversed I'm sure many of you would feel the same.

Tim

Trygve,

I have to say that I resent the comment you made that, "these woods and waters mean a heck of a lot more to those that were born and raised in them than to some weekend warriors." It's pretty presumptuous and arrogant of you to think that since you live in the local area you have some kind of advantage or "corner on the market" when it comes to how much you care about the Boundary Waters.

Just because I live in Washington, DC doesn't mean that the Boundary Waters mean less to me than they do to you. In fact, I would argue the exact opposite. I would say that the Boundary Waters mean a heck of a lot more to me because I don't get to go there any time I want, and when I do get a chance to go, I really appreciate it a lot. If you look at the facts, it's the folks in the local communities who are generally the ones who push harder for more motorboat use in the Boundary Waters, more motorized portages, and more snowmobiles in the winter. Wherever you go in the United States, you will find that the locals are the ones who usually take their natural and cultural resources for granted.

I am proud to be a Boundary Waters "weekend warrior," and the Boundary Waters mean a "heck of a lot" to me. I'm sure that I am not the only one on this website to feel this way.

End of rant.

Awesome point Bannock.

It seems that even though bass have been around for a long time, it's just been the last 10 years when they've really exploded.

I have no idea why.

The whole local motor thing is blown way out of proportion, especially on the Eastern side of the BWCA.

Sure, there are still people who are bitter about '78, but they're a tiny minority nowadays.

The majority of folks up here realize the reason we get to eat is because of the BWCA.

Those of us who live here, and realize the value of this land, are connected to it in ways that few could ever understand.

Today's Trivia Fact: I just noticed that this is the longest thread to ever appear in this Fishing Forum. Never expected that when I posted my question about who eats smallies!

We love the Non Native Ringneck Pheasant, we hate the SM Bass, we love the Non Native stocked Brown Trout in the BWCA, we hate the Small Mouth Bass, lets face it its for purely selfish reasons.

I have no love for any of the Designated Trout Lakes in the Boundary Waters.

The stocked trout in the BWCA CANNOT REPRODUCE! They are in isolated small lakes and will never spread.

You think that caring about our native fish and waters is selfish?

Good grief...

Moheep "We love the Non Native Ringneck Pheasant, we hate the SM Bass, we love the Non Native stocked Brown Trout in the BWCA, we hate the Small Mouth Bass, lets face it its for purely selfish reasons."

Who is more selfish. People that want a nonnative fish stocked that has been proven to negatively affect the local fish population--just because it is easier and fun to catch or someone who feels we should have left mother nature alone????

I don't understand your statement at all????I don't remember anyone saying they love the ringneck pheasant but hate the SMB. My guess is some of the same discussions arose when pheasants were stocked and the prairie chicken population went down? I don't know of any lakes that have Brown trout stocked in them anymore in BWCAW?? I know they stock brook trout---which are native to MN and the area but not native to the lakes they stock--but once again I don't remember anyone saying they were for it but against the SMB? Above I used brook trout as an example (one of many) on how SMB damage fish populations but I never said if I was for or against it?

I guess it is all a mute argument---the SMB is here to stay---it has damaged some of the local fish populations---some of us don't like it---never will---that is all there really is to it. Call us nostalgic if you like, but I really don't see how we are selfish. The eradication of SMB comments/jokes should be taken as tongue-in-cheek we know that will never happen. We will just never hold the SMB in as high as esteem as you do--that's all. Besides there is no reasonable way of doing this anyways---except for the secret formula I am working on in my mad scientist lab which only attacks SMB DNA :) LOL

Enjoy your SMB fishing! Keep some of the runts for shore lunch and you will be helping those walleyes AND the big smallies.

Tim

Tim, once you perfect that "secret formula", let me know! (I do have somewhat of a background in genetics/biochemistry so if I can help out in any way...:)

I eat carp.. great smoked... not many smallies...

I'm just glad to know that we all like to eat smallies.

Dry lake has some nice Brownies in it. Lets just hope they don't get into High or Bass and eat all the eggs of the "natives". The selfish statement may have been to harsh, all I was trying to say was some non native species are ok because people love them. Some are not because people don't love them and its for there own personal gain to not like them. The bottome line is that its fun to see that we all have such passion for this area, even if it is for different reasons. It is the most special place on earth to me and always will be. I just happen to love fishing for smallies and my opinion is that they have added to my experience in the Q/Bw and some of you feel they have taken away.

Just because people love them does NOT make them okay.

It has nothing to do with personal gain!

We are concerned about an invasive species that is harming our native waters.

Why do you have natives in quotes?

I am sure thats all you are concerned about

What else should I be concerned about, "Zee Germans!?"

trygve, do you use live bait?? I saw you on the transporting leeches thread. Are they native?? Minnows?? I hope you don't let any one of those get away off your hook or you could contaminate the entire BWCA me boy.

All the bait I have ever used in the Boundary Waters has been trapped in local lakes and ponds.

Right..... Right.....

Ok, Moheep and Trygve, I think you to have said enough. Let's keep this nice. That said, I'll do my part for the environment and eat as many smallies as I can.

Those smallies are witches: BURN THEM!

Seems like everytime we trifle with the environment we always seem to "Bugger" things up. Case in point the Asian beetles- brought here to eat aphids- now they're out of control. Can't even go outside in the fall without being swarmmed by them. Thank you US Dept. of Agriculture! I don't mind catching a smalley once in awhile, but not at the expense of our walleye, Northern pike, and our lake trout fisheries.

Thanks Trygve for the information. The same thing is happening here in NE Wisconsin. I actually don't mind catching them, they're fun....for a while. But as someone else on this thread mentioned, if you can't catch them give up fishing. I'll be sure to eat more than my fill on my next BWCA trip!

If you want to see an invasive fish take over your waters,bring your boat down here to Illinois and take a ride down the Illinois river.If these were only smallies I'd be in hog heaven.
copy and paste this video
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwMSy7xK218

It's just a matter of time as they work their way up the Mississppi to Minnesota.An even sadder thing is that the only thing that stands between these fish and the Great lakes is an eletrictal barrier up in Chicago that has a history of power outages.Imagine going up the North Shore and seeing this at Gooseberry Falls.

Think they would survive with our winters and cold water?

I don't water ski anymore because of those Asian carp. Had too many close calls. Oh, and I eat the small ones and have the large ones mounted.

Eurasian Watermilfoil was a nice addition to our waters also.

Trygve, do a google search on Asian carp,alot of interesting reading.Actually ,they prefer cold water.

That is really scary.

Thanks to everyone, especially timatkn & trygve for giving me a pretty clear picture of the bias against SMB in the BW. This thread has definitely been educational for me.
I don't want to "stir the pot" again, but I am left with the impression that there may be a similar bias against "non-Minnesotans" too (weekend warriors, etc.). I'm probably wrong about that...I've been in Minnesota a heck of a lot and have always felt welcome.

If it wasnt for humans,would there be such a thing as an invasive species? Walleye tastes much better on my pallet.

billsta,

I can see after reading some of my posts how you would get the thought of bias against non-Minnesotans---sorry about that. I was more trying to give examples of how others would feel from different regions if the roles were reversed. We all have different opinions on this subject because we come from different perspectives.

People that were not raised in the area don't know what the lakes used to be like (how would they?)---they only know the SMB fishing is great, and they like it. I actually get that---they fight hard and attack lures---I can really see how they are fun. It is just that I see a natural resource changing because of man's intervention. Those of us that live here in MN year round see this impact a little easier since we are right here observing it all the time. No bias against out staters---just a different perspective.

As a Minnesotan I can honestly say please keep coming up here and please keep catching the smallies. We welcome you and your money :) LOL just kidding a round.

Tim

Holy Schnikey!
Here is a paragraph from epa.gov

What effects might Asian carp have on the Great Lakes?
Asian Carp are a significant threat to the Great Lakes because they are large, extremely prolific, and consume vast amounts of food. They can weigh up to 100 pounds, and can grow to a length of more than four feet. They are well-suited to the climate of the Great Lakes region, which is similar to their native Asian habitats.
Researchers expect that Asian carp would disrupt the food chain that supports the native fish of the Great Lakes. Due to their large size, ravenous appetites, and rapid rate of reproduction, these fish could pose a significant risk to the Great Lakes Ecosystem. Eventually, they could become a dominant species in the Great Lakes.

Well actually the biggest fish I have chaught any whare was a carp. I'm not sure if it was an asian carp or not. The river I chaughtit in dumps in to lake michigan about 40 miles downstream. The carp was well over 10 pounds, and quite a bit long. It deffinatly was compeating with the rivers catfish and salmon.

So smallies are not native while?

Walleyes, Pike, Lake Trout are native?

brook trout?

We have brown trout around here and i know they aren't native. They are fun to catch, however...and can get pretty big.

Northern Pike and Lake Trout are the only widespread native gamefish up here in the sticks.

Walleyes are somewhat native, especially on the western part of the BWCA, but their popularity caused them to be stocked everywhere and they also spread naturally.

The only native trout up here are lake trout, unless you are fishing in a tributary of Lake Superior, then the stream trout can be native.

All the stream trout in lakes up here are Government fish, stocked to be fished for. They cannot reproduce.

Smallies do NOT have red eyes. Those are rock bass, and they annoy me too (although I am confident they are a native species). I am curious, though-- anyone eat a rock bass?

We have rock bass here in the Mississippi too. Sometimes you'll catch them when fishing for panfish...especially around wingdams. It looks like they are native to this area, along with walleyes and smallmouth.

Norm "Smallies do NOT have red eyes."

It is a derogatory nickname (redeyes) for smallmouth--precisely for the reason you mentioned---comparing them to a rock bass---also if you examine the picture posted above they have a reddish-brown color to their eyes. Just joking around with the redeye name :)

Tim

I have never eaten a rock bass, tho I have heard of some people doing so. I have heard that they are 'wormy' so I have never even attempted to do so.

I don't know if they are native to MN or not.

throwing a smallie would be equal to going to the madison, galatin, or yellowstone river, catching a brown or rainbow trout, and throwing it on the bank

it would also be the same as going to lake superior, catching a steelhead, kamloops, or salmon and throwing it on the shore.

Those fish do not cause the harm that smallmouth bass cause.

You cannot argue like that, every species is different, some are more destructive and spread rapidly like bass.

Some, like the stocked stream trout up here, die if you look at them funny.

And there are native Brook Trout Lake Superior. Dang poor Northern Minnesota schools telling me lies.

Lake trout are not native to Yellowstone Lake in Yellowstone Park however, someone thought it would be a great idea to stock them there- the result the yellowstone cutthroat trout is in trouble. That is the effect that we see over and over with invasive species. While Lakers are desireable species they simply just don't belong in that ecosystem. Now they are just begging anglers to take and eat all the lakers they catch.

actualy, steelhead are a introduced species to L.S. they were introduced in the 1800's

I was wronggggggg.

I am 100% positive. I took a college course last semester about lake superior stream ecosystems. as a part of the course, we went fishing for steelhead.

proof...

http://www.duluthstreams.org/understanding/rainbowtrout.html

http://www.glfc.org/lakecom/lsc/stateofsuperior/Non-NativeSalmonids.ppt#257,2,History

http://www.glerl.noaa.gov/pubs/fulltext/2003/20030016.pdf

Anyways, we're not talking about Lake Superior.

If I had my way, the only fish we would be catching out there would be Lake Trout.

And I won't defend walleyes or stream trout or any other semi-native stocked fish. I'm not attached to them at all. Two wrongs do not make a right.

Hey, they are part of the Sunfish family arent they?
Mmmmmmm Sunfish...

Throughout the history of the world the same scenario has played out in every civilization and in just about every eco-system since man began to think about "improving" them! It is still occuring throughout the world in different scenarios now, more finacially motivated take overs than actual physical... and now man after thinking to "improve" is trying to re-invent the wheel by trying or attempting to undo the damage he has done, not only to the eco-systems, but to the atmosphere (global warming) as well! Now we all are reaping the benefits or woes depending on your viewpoint! Life goes on...

This comentary is not to elicite controversial response... it is merely to make a statement that nothing has changed throughout history... and it is going to take a huge effort on everyone's part, working together, not pointing fingers or saying who is right or wrong to rectify the situation... And no I don't want everybody to hold hands and sing Kum By Ya!!

Bruce

The one constant throughout time has been change, whether man contributed to it or not. Stoneage man probably agonized over the disappearance of mammoths. Ancient Middle Eastern and Asian man probably wondered why his irrigated, salt-laden soil would no longer grow crops and was turning into desert. Ancient Anazazi only lived in their cliff dwellings about a hundred years before drought forced them out. The plains Indian horse culture only lasted 50-200 years, depending on when the horse reached them, only to be followed by the white man.
Out here in California, before any introductions, we had the Sacramento Perch, a fish that probably rivaled the yellow perch in its sporting qualities. There was no other warm water game fish. Now, the Sacramento Perch is almost impossible to find but we do have various bass, including LMB and SMB, various panfish, including bluegill and crappie, various kinds of catfish, stripers, etc. Few sportsmen would wish to return to the pre-introduction past.
What would be flabbergasting is if no changes had occurred in over half a century in the BW.
When I see the BW for the first time, this summer, I will have to imagine the changes most of you have seen.
Jerry

AHH, head throbbing, must lay down... that was deep, and well written. kudos arkansaw .

Thanks chadwick. I was inspired to copious verbiage, something I am usually able to resist.

I replying so this thread can hit a record-breaking, mind-boggling 100 posts. Woo hoo!

101
now Im not the only one left to post on this thread

102 this thread has actually gotten pretty dirty and off topic many times. On topic there are maybe 30 clean post.

Bah!

jeriatic makes some very good points, the environment will always be changing, with or without human interferiance.

I heard there are bears in the Boundary Waters. Anybody know anything about that???

There were.

Until the smallmouth bass ate them all.

See why I'm so angry?!

That's the smallmouth I want to catch... the one that eats bears... Do you troll the bears or work them as topwater??

Bruce

First of all I would like to thank everyone for keeping this thread relatively civilized--there were several chances to really veer off in a negative direction and people either ignored certain comments or held their tongue appropriately.

One thing to remember is that we're all on the same basic "side" of things--we all love the BWCA.

My two cents would be that I don't fish all that hard up there. We fish a bit each day (usually on our way to or from somewhere) and if we catch eater-size fish (be they SMB, walleye, pike, etc.) we will keep one or two for dinner. Lakers would be the only fish that we target on occasion (since the lakes that hold them aren't as common).

The poor bear will be getting a drink of water, and a pack of those disgusting bass with jump it, just like you see the crocodiles doing on the National Geographic Channel.

I'm not kidding in the sightest.

What was the exact color of those bears? I want to buy the right set of "bear imitation" lures.

Getting back to the original question before the "origin of species" discussion took over:) Yep, you can eat smallies and they're not bad. In fact, it is hard to determine what fish you are eating if cooked properly over a hot outdoor fire.
One method you may wish to try.
1. Fillet the bass, rinse them off, and dry with paper toweling.
2. Apply mustard over the entire fillet (plain mustard, French's, Plochman's etc)
3. Roll the mustard coated fillet in the breading of choice.
4. Toss it into the hot grease.
5. Take it out when just turning from golden brown to dark brown.(this is when the mustard "evaporates" for lack of a better term)
6. Sprinkle with Real Lemon (in a bottle) and salt. Very good. The same recipe can be used for Walleye and Northern. When cooked correctly, it will be hard to tell the difference between the three.

god, that sounds good.

I kind of feel good that I should have absolutely no guilt whatsover if I keep every legal smb when I visit at the end of May. I didn't realize until reading this thread the invasive nature and the amount of hostility toward them. But honestly, unless you're a local and have developed your own hotspots and methods you are confident in, I have always found catching fish in northern Minnesota and Canada very hard work. The last time I was there was about 8 years ago, and than 8 years before that. Am I correct in interpreting this forum as to mean that in the last ten years smb populations have exploded and don't seem to be affected much at all by fishing pressure? I remember fishing on a Lake Vermillion resort with my family about 20 years ago and we didn't catch a single bass in 3 days of hard fishing. We ended up trying the Vermillion river and caught lots of nice Northern (which, by the way, I think taste atleast as good as walleye). I fished on Lac La Croix a few years before that at Bill Zup's and we had to work our tails off to catch a few nice smallies. Again, northerns were easier and we caught a few walleye too. Even back than these places were written up in the fishing magazines as smallmouth heaven. So again, my question is, has the populations gotten to the point where the fishing pressure on most lakes in the BW area is not limiting their abundance?

Fishing pressure doesn't seem to do anything to their growth.

Most people release them anyways.

Yes, in the last 10 years their population has grown substantially.

Hey this thread is getting so long that I had to check it out. I too have always been bugged by smallies because they are non-native. (Yes I eat them if I don't have pike or walleyes, yes they are fun to catch). Anyway, my question is: how many lakes in the BWCA don't have smallmouth and whats the fishing like in those lakes? The one I can think of is Oriniack which is off of vermilion trout. Used to have lots of walleyes, though there got to be a direct access to it and it was getting hit pretty hard by the locals about 5-10 years ago. I'm thinking Ramshead (EP 16) doesn't have 'em. Used to be a good northern lake, though I hear its been fished down. There must be others.

Yes, there are lakes that don't have bass.

Most are isolated lakes, with minimal inflowing and outflowing water.

quite a few dont have bass. lakes isabella, perent and many of there surounding lakes dot have them.

Funny, I've caught bass in both those lakes.

realy, according to both the surveys and personal experience fishing them Ive never caught 1 in them.

I am a bass master.

The thing about DNR surveys is that SMB don't really show up much. They have two main methods for lakes--trap nets and gill nets. Bass don't really go in either, at least not to an extent where their populations can be assessed. I have read some of their lake reports where the technicians brought rods and reels to determine if bass were in a lake.

Yeah you really cannot believe those DNR surveys---the poster above really covered it well. Also some lakes haven't been surveyed in the last 10 years so SMB could of easily moved in the last few years.

A couple of examples. A lake in Quetico call Wicksteed used to be known as a strictly Largemouth Bass/big Northern lake---according to an article in the BWJ in the early 90's there were no SMB in this lake at the time the article was written. Just fished it last summer--no Largemouths, but a ton of smallies there now. If you look at the surveys for Insula Lake you will not see any small mouth surveyed, but those 40-50 SMB I caught two years ago would say otherwise.

Tim

What the hell?
Back to the question at hand.
I DO!

butthead

Yum!

Bah!

Trygve,
I am the bassmaster!
Anyway Smallies are delicious.

I hate to say this guys but we haven't reached the record on legitimate posts. I just counted an Trygve posted 30 of the posts on this question. I think he stacking. I believe 3 of them just said "bah". Seems like cheating. Just playing Trygve, but I love smallie fishing evasive or not. I live in Michigan and the Great Lakes it seems are nothing but evasive species. Every year we get a new one. We just deal the best we can.

Nothing like pulling a ten pound lake trout out of lake superior, with a 3 foot lamprey attached to it.

The first time I saw that I just about lost my lunch.

Post 31

...but who's counting, right?

130+ posts and still going. What a debate. There have been a lot good points made and some off topic fluff. After investing 30minutes reading through this I've got to add my 2 cents.

Do I eat smallmouth? Not unless I'm starving.
Why? of the big 4 species in the BWCA I rank the flavor #4.
#1 Walleye
#2 Pike
#3 Lake Trout
#4 SM

Are they invasive? Yes, when they were introduced. Would they be here today if never introduced? Probably, nature seems to find a way.

Do they compete with native species? Absloutely, there is only so much food to go around.

Out of 130+ posts I'm shocked that Arkansaw Man was the only one to bring up global warming. I've read several mentions of smallmouth populations exploding over the past 10 years. You can get this information watching the weather channel or even reading the latest in-fisherman. 7 of the hottest years on record have occured over the past 10 years. Quicker ice-out, warmer mid summer water temps, longer growing season, all favors the warm water species.

Jeriatric posted about change and change is happening. It's all part of natural selection. As the average temperature goes up the balance of nature tips the scales in favor of the smallmouth and against the lake trout and walleye.

Even though they are consisdered evasive, would they have found thier way and thrived in the BWCA/Quetico anyway just due to climate changes?

I embrace the explosion of the smallmouth bass. Why not? Pound for pound they fight like beasts, they smash topwater baits and are generally pretty easy to catch may - september. If I want a challenge I would take up Musky fishing. Or jig and troll the blind depths searching for mid summer lakers. I can always do battle with the slimey toothy pike that bites off my $5.00 lures. There is always the finicky walleye. Tastes good but fights like a wet sock compared to smallmouth.

You can fry up or bank flip all the smallmouth you can but another ice age is the only thing that can turn the tides. You're better off buying a gas/electric hybrid car and stop burning your leaves.

I am flattered.

I have a fan club.

That should read: "I'm flattened. I have a fan with a club." :-)

And I thought I made bad jokes.

Yikes.

smallies are good. I just make sure that I cut off the belly meat.

I am curious about the idea of throwing the SM up on the shore and the comment about "None of them are still swimming" Is this to say that you killed the bass on purpose?

It is very easy to catch a Northern Pike. Also, how many times have the bass fisherman had a northern bite off one of their topwater lures? Does this mean that we should start throwing them up on shore too?

Seems to me that any true outdoorsman would not kill the game fish because they don't like them. It's not like we are talking about eelpout or dogfish here. If you want to catch Walleyes without the so called "nuisance" of the SM then go to Whinne or Mille Lacs.

As far as the actual first question goes, I love to fish and eat SM. We usually need the mid-sized and throw the hogs back so somebody else can enjoy the fight as we did. As a rule we also throw back the spawning females. Outside of that, SM are one of the fish I go to the BWCA to catch and eat. I see them as a resource, not an "invasive problem"

One mans trash is another mans treasure.

kinda like royalex for me (couldnt resist) Jan

Mattbrome---

People throw the bass away because they're invasive.

Not because they're pissed at catching them.

So the point is we should eat or at least kill any SM we catch? Just want to clarify...

Well, some people feel like that.

I don't like bass at all. But I could never bring myself to catch them and just throw them away.

Exactly.....some people feel like that .....even though its not too cool...I mean it's too bad they are considered an invasive species, but they're there to stay so enjoy catching and eating them.
Woodpecker

Yup. You can't put that genie back in the bottle. I'm just going to make the best of it. I'll admit I do enjoy catching AND eating smallmouth. Let's concentrate on keeping those asian carp out of the BWCA. You think smallmouth bass have messed up the ecosystem...

Good to get the clarification. Is sounded like, from the earlier posts, that we had people going out and throwing the bass un on shore or killing them on purpose.

Lots of people do, do that, Mattbrome.

Yup, it's kinda disgusting.

But it happens all the time.

" am curious about the idea of throwing the SM up on the shore and the comment about "None of them are still swimming" Is this to say that you killed the bass on purpose?"

Hey I said something like that? You gotta read all of the posts before you can ask a question like that: ever heard of tongue--in--cheek? LOL

MattB, Don't let Trygve get to ya. His posts rarely add anything to the topic but some sarcastic remarks.

Mattbrome, IMO bassfishermen from elsewhere kinda look upon bass as sacred, especially big bass. They always, or nearly always, release them. IMO we need not take that attitude with smallmouth in the BW because they are not a native species. IMO we can be guilt free for eating them.

I, too, would not condone just throwing them up on the bank. Nor would I condone throwing an ellpout on the bank. Why would you do that? They're (supposedly) are good eating!

Eelpout are great eating.

And they're also native.

From a Reformed Southern Bass Fisherman... Smallmouth have always been on my list as a favorite to catch. Simply because they are not found in but a few AR Lakes. Mostly in creeks and smaller rivers. My largest here is 4.73 lbs caught in a tournament several years ago! I come north to catch large smallmouth, not to eat them! The friends I made on my first trip used to tease me when they would catch a smallie, clean and eat it! Of course when I said I did not eat smallies, I really meant all bass... I was of the philosphy of "why eat what could win you money" and you could always catch and eat catfish anyway! While I now really have no preference one way or the other, and I would rather eat walleye, and I also like Northerns, I will only eat a bass that is going to die from hooking too deep, be it spot, black, or brown... of course we really don't come north just to catch and eat fish, but rather to fish, catch and release, and have the occasional fish meal. Other than that it is the wilderness challenge that brings me north!

And I would hate to see anyone throw a fish on the bank to waste just becasue they did not like the fish!! Thank God we are not judged that way!! Bruce

Well said AR Man. I really don't think "it happens all the time" like Trygve said. I have made well over 70 trips and never seen anyone or any sign of it happening. It is probably a small group of wackos.

I've fished the BW for several years. I've always tried to eat the walleye or pike and throw back the smallies (we were aware of their slow growth ). I was not aware they are a non-native specie. It has always been a struggle within our group of campers-which fish to target. The tastier walleye or the more sporting smallie. In the past we have considered walleye fishing kind of a chore and part of our group would be assigned "diner duty" the rest would go nuts on the smallies. After reading this string though,I think we might have to rethink our attitude toward eating smallies. On this year's trip I may just fish walleyes only when it's too windy to throw a popper on a fly rod.

I do eat smallies, just not the breeding females... Good meal if you ask me, nothing like a fresh walleye, but still good. Helps rally the troops to have a fresh fish dinner!

I just read through this old thread and had to bump it. Great thread, great read.

I've never eaten a walleye and won't untill I catch it clean it cook it and then eat the fish I caught. How ever I have caught and eaten smallies. The first time I ever ate a smallie was in the bdub ad it was 5 days into the trip with nothing but frezze dried food and frezzing my butt off. Caught a bunch of smallies and cooked them up for dinner. I love fish but I kid you not it was the best fish I've ever eatten. It could of been all the frezze dried food or all the work but dang!!

Ill never forget that dinner!!

quote Amok: "YES!!!"

I like seeing old posts with Amoks name on them.

No

Rather not.

Rolled in Shore Lunch and fried in Crisco, smallies taste great when the walleye aren't biting and that's the truth. I'd prefer to eat any other species while I'm in the BW but if smallies are all I catch, I will eat smallmouth.

That cold, clean water up there makes a huge difference. I would not eat a smallie from most bodies of water but in the BW, why not?

quote Trygve: "Mattbrome---



People throw the bass away because they're invasive.



Not because they're pissed at catching them. "

Next time you are in GM stop by the DNR and ask Steve Persons if walleye are native to Cook county. His answer will be no. I don't hear of anybody throwing them up on the bank as "invasive". BTW, largemouth were introduced by man with the SMB likely by accident. Ask Steve.