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<br />they want input from the public and for this to be a collaborative decision. He noted that there is <br />quite a bit of information available on their web site at <br />www.dnr.state.mn.us/areas/fisheries/montrose/rivers.html. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig stated that it ruins things when people don't follow the rules. He stated <br />that he thinks regulation sometimes prevents the good people from doing things and they aren't <br />the ones breaking the rules. <br /> <br />Mr. Altena agreed that the average angler does practice catch and release. <br /> <br />Councilmember Elvig asked about spending more money on getting more officers out for <br />enforcement. He asked about the possibility of managing the tributaries and leaving the river <br />alone. <br /> <br />Mr. Altena stated that listing the regulations for the tributaries would be very complex. He stated <br />that enforcement issues are always tough. He stated that the officers have two or three counties <br />and do the best they can. He stated that this is a unique situation because it is close to the metro <br />area. He stated that one of the best enforcement tools would be if the average anglers call the <br />tip line. <br /> <br />City Administrator Ulrich asked what other factors besides catch rate would influence the size of <br />the fish. <br /> <br />Mr. Altena stated that habitat can have some influence, but overall the population has increased. <br /> <br />Councilmember Dehen stated that because the water in this stretch of the river is low, he feels <br />most of the fishing is done by locals. <br /> <br />Mr. Altena stated that the Creel survey doesn't show that the fishermen are only locals. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that he thinks Councilmember Dehen's point is that this area is <br />already self-protected because of the low water. He asked why the regulation zone ended where <br />it did. <br /> <br />Mr. Altena stated that, at the time, they didn't have the data available that they do now that <br />shows what regulation has done. He stated that they consistently are seeing people seek out the <br />regulated areas to go fishing. <br /> <br />Councilmember Look stated that his concern is that past regulations, for example, on walleye <br />fishing on Lake Millacs, have caused programs. He stated that another concern he has is the <br />attitudes of the Conservation Officers that are out there "milking" fish. He stated that their <br />attitudes make him want to stand way back from regulation. He stated that if there isn't solid, <br />scientific data, then he is full of reservations. <br /> <br />Mr. Altena stated that they have data available since 1978 and it is probably one of the best <br />databases in the whole country. He noted that biological data is rarely able to be concrete. He <br /> <br />City Council Work Session /September 2, 2008 <br />Page 3 of8 <br />