fi ° ckle' via nove. ey • MINNESOTA lakes 08) reams 'Published by The Bureau of Information Minnesota Department of Conservation Room 633 State Office Building Saint Paul eXinnesota SOME OF MINNESOTA'S GAME FISH NORTHERN PIKE WALLEYE Esox lucius Stizostedion vitreum BROOK TROUT RAINBOW TROUT Salvelinus fontinalis SoImo gairdnerii MUSKELLUNGE LARGEMOUTH BASS Esox masquinongy masquinongy Huro salmoides BLACK CRAPPIE BLUEGILL Pomoxis nigro-maculatus Lepomis macrochirus (cuts through courtesy of James Heddon's Sons Dowagiac, Michigan) PUMPKINSEED Lepomis gibbosus MINNESOTA fish Lakes and Streams Published by the BUREAU OF INFORMATION, DEPARTMENT OF CONSERVATION Room 633 — State Office Saint Paul 1 Minnesota RECORD FISH CATCHES BY ANGLING IN MINNESOTA Black crappie ......... 5 lb. Muskellunge ......... 50 lb. Bluegill ................ 2 lb. 13 oz. Northern pike ....... 41 lb. Brook trout ........... 4 lb. 3 oz. Rainbow trout ....... 13 lb. 2 oz. Lake trout ............ 42 lb. Smallmouth bass 8 lb. Largemouth bass ....8 lb. 15 oz. Walleye ................ 16 lb. 8 oz. 1 FISHING IN MINNESOTA By Dr. George A. Selke, Commissioner, Minnesota Dept. of Conservation Minnesota needs no other press agent than the invitation and promise of 10,000 lakes-11,007 lakes to be exact, 25,000 miles of streams and water- ways, and headwaters of the Mississippi. We offer you the matchless climate of Minnesota summertime — the hospitality of the good people of our state—churches for your Sunday wor- ship during your sojourn with us—and hospitals of world renown for your every medical need. We offer you the scenic wonders of our State Parks—the breathtaking beauty of the North Shore Drive—the canoe trails of the Roadless Wilder- ness area—incomparable Lake Superior and Lake of the Woods—the tum- bling cascades of the Temperance and the Baptism—the much visited White- water area—the charming peace and quiet of southern Minnesota lakes— and the far-reaches of rolling prairies and fertile acres stretching into the pine forests and iron ranges of the North. We offer you a vacation designed for everyone—the family group or the most rugged individualist can find the proper outdoor setting. Modern cabins, trailer camps, resort hotels, or camping out in a pitched tent on the bank of some lake or stream are your vacation privileges. We offer you the opportunity to fish our lakes and streams, the diver- sified fishing offered by pan-fish, brook trout, and walleyes, northerns and muskies, and the counter-part of deep sea fishing in angling for lake trout on Lake Superior. We are proud of our Minnesota fishing. Fish and Wildlife Service tells us we have more licensed fishermen than any other state in the nation. On my desk is a report, fantastic but true, of possibly the most phenomenal muskie fishing of modern times. These are the facts. In two days last summer on Leech Lake 51 big muskies were brought into the landing at Federal Dam alone, and within two weeks 200 silver muskies were reported taken, from minnow-sized 18 pounders, to the larger 40 pounders. Minnesota has much to offer. We offer you Minnesota as a place to live and work and play. Once again we extend to you the welcome of the Land of 10,000 Lakes. Link your future with Minnesota. Water is our heritage. Water is our destiny. RULES FOR WATER SAFETY WHILE FISHING By Alfred Nelson, Bureau of Information, Minnesota Department of Conservation Each year several dozen fishermen are the victims of water accidents. Most, if not all, could have been prevented by the practice of a few com- mon sense safety rules. When using a boat for fishing, there are several activities which interfere with fishing and, therefore, may be the cause of an accident. The operation of the outboard motor or rowing with oars, han- dling of the anchor and moving about in the boat while trying to fish, increase the chances of falling out or tipping the boat over. Any one of these hazards is considerably increased by the number of people in a boat. Fishing from the shore, dock or breakwater or some such structure also has its hazards that should be constantly watched. 2 Ninety to 99 per cent of the accidents could be avoided if the following rules are carefully observed: 1. A boat rented from a boat livery should be marked with the number of passengers and should be sound and sea-worthy. Any fisherman is wise to check the boat carefully and never load it with more than the number specified. 2. Even though all people in a boat may be excellent swimmers, it is common sense to carry a safety belt or cushion for each. 3. If it is absolutely necessary to change positions, be sure that everyone cooperates by keeping low in the boat and watching the balances; it is better not to shift places once you are away from shore. 4. No one should stand up to cast, pull in a big fish, pull in the anchor, lift the minnow bucket or try to reach something that has fallen overboard. Such action is an invitation to trouble. 5. Unless you are thoroughly familiar with wind and weather ac- tions on the lake so that you know what is dangerous, it is best to move towards shore at the first sign of an approaching storm. 6. If something happens to swamp the boat so that the boat begins to fill with water, remember that the boat will sink just so far and it is possible to be safe by staying with the boat. The same thing applies if the boat is capsized and overturned. People have been rescued one, two, and three hours after clinging to an overturned boat; but many have drowned by leaving a boat in an attempt to swim to the nearest shore. An overturned boat will float and usually drift toward shore or quiet water and it is a good rule never to leave the boat under such situations. 7. A considerable number of accidents have occurred when the anchor rope or the fishline becomes fouled on the outboard motor. Attempts to pull up the motor or reach overboard to untangle the line have been the end for some fishermen. 8. There are several hazards when fishing from shore; wading out too far and falling into a drop-off; slippery and insecure foot- ing on the bank or rocks or structures; and stumbling over ob- jects which causes a fall into the water. The very large majority of water fatalities have occurred by violating the above safety rules. It should be no hardship or curtailment of fishing pleasure to remember and follow safety rules. Therefore, in the excitement and pleasure of being out-of-doors, riding the waves of one of Minnesota's sky-blue lakes and experiencing the thrill of pulling in your limit of fight- ing fish, do not forget that a single moment of thoughtlessness or careless- ness may end it all for you and others in a boat with you. Nothing can justify the lack of common sense safety precautions. SUGGESTIONS FOR THE CARE AND PRESERVATION OF FISH FOR FOOD USE By Hjalmar 0. Swenson, Supervisor, Bureau of Fisheries, Minnesota Division of Game and Fish When the fish is intact with head, tail and entrails still attached, the fish is whole or in the round. 8 A drawn fish has been cut down the center of the belly and the entrails removed. A dressed fish has the scales, entrails, fins, head and tail removed. Fish should be packed in ice as soon as possible after they are caught if they are to be shipped or transported any great distance. Check your fishing synopsis for information on shipping. Inquire locally for freezing and packing service. Scaling is done by holding the fish firmly with one hand and scraping the scales off with a knife or a fish scaler. The head is removed by cutting behind the gill cover. The pectoral or front fins can be removed with the head. The dorsal fin is removed by cuts down by each side of it and a pull forward. Filleting is done by cutting with a sharp, thin knife down to the back- bone from behind the head and along the backbone to the tail. The opera- tion is repeated to remove the other side. The ribs can be removed easily with a sharp knife. The fillets may be skinned by laying them skin down, the tail toward the operator, on the edge of a table. A cut is made down to the skin close to the end of the fillet. Holding on to the tail end of the skin, the operator turns the edge of the knife toward the head and pushes the knife along the skin. After dressing the fish, they should be washed thoroughly in cold water. Steaks are cross sections of fish—a dressed fish cut at right angles. Suggestions for the Care and Preservation of Fish for Mounting Purposes Care should be taken to protect the scales and skin of the fish. The fish should be wrapped in cloth as soon as possible, packed in ice and taken to a taxidermist. They may be frozen. CARE OF FISHERMEN AND FISH By Dr. John B. Moyle, Supervisor, Fisheries Research Unit, Bureau of Fisheries, Minnesota Division of Game and Fish Fish hooks will catch both fish and fishermen, so here are a few hints that may save you and your friends from inconvenience or even injury. Always carry a good wire-cutting pliers in your tackle box. If clothing or flesh is hooked beyond the barb, shove the hook through and cut off the barb with the pliers.