The Saint Paul globe., 1904-05-28
BASS SEASON WILL
OPEN TOMORROW
St. Paul Fishermen Preparing
to invade Feeding Grounds
OF Black Fellows.


Scores of st. Paul fishermen will
leave today and tonight for the feeding
grounds of the big black bass, for on
Sunday the bass become legal victims
to rod and reel.
inquiry among the st. Paul sporting
goods stores develops that not for
years have, there been so many pur-
chases of fishing tackle as this season.
The leading emporiums We're crowded
yesterday with sportsmen buying their
outfits and it was said that the great
bulk was still to come today. 1t was
explained by one proprietor that the
spring had been SO backward that lit
tie outdoor life had been possible
for city people, and with the prospect
OF good weather several hundred busi-
ness men had determined to take a
day off and go a-f1shin'."
Experts say that the bass fishing
should be better than usual this sea-
son. It is not because the fish are
more plentiful than usual, but the cold,
late season has prevented the maturity
of the spawn, and the fish have not yet
deposited their eggs. In this condi-
ton the female fish is ravenously hun
CRY and seizes on bait if it drops any
where near her. And while the fact is
to be deplored, from a sportsman's
standpoint the fishing promises to be
unusually good.
Spawning Season Not Over.
'1n lot Of bass seized yesterday by
agents of the game and fish commits
sion in st: Paul. said a st. Paul en-
thusiast last night, spawn was found
in nearly every one of the fish. The
law was framed to protect the fish un-
I'll the spawning season was over, but
this spring is 1an exception in several
ways, and while June 1 is, of course,
no earlier than the corresponding date
Of any year, it is two or three weeks
too early to accomplish the intent Of
the law, which is of course to propa-
gate the fish by protecting them until
they have. deposited their spawn.
have no doubt that Minnesota sports
men will thissSeason uneonSciously de-
stroy millions and millions of fish by
catching the parent fish before the roe
has been left in the sand to ripen and
develop. 1t is too bad, but of course
there is no help for it. The fishing will
be better because of the condition. but
this will hardly compensate for the
loss"
The bass is the last game fish which
the state protects to be placed at the
mercy of. the fisherman. Trout, pike
and other varieties are protected, but
their seasons arrived some weeks ago.
Reports from UP the state are to the
effect that conditions are ideal for sue
cessful fishing, and a number of parties
plan to leave tonight. for the feeding
grounds. Minnesota affords the best
bass fishing, in the country, but there
are some few lakes in Wisconsin that
offer attractions to the sportsman who
delights in the thrill of the fighting fell
low at the end of his line.
Perhaps as good fishing as is to be
obtained within the distance is Wright
county. Lakes at Buffalo, South Hav-
en-, AnnandaIe and half a dozen other
points attract the fishermen and yield
good returns. Paynesville and Glen
| wood are. touted as good points,
Browns Valley has a deserved reputa-
tion, Green lake, In Kandiyohi county,
is delightful place for an outing, and
there are many other lakes in the west
ern part of the state which promise
| we'll
Many Parties Prepare for Trips.
The Detroit lakes, in the famous park
region, iafford excellent fishing, and
| these will attract many Twin City fish
ermen for the opening of the season,
while Battle lake, with a half dozen
| lakes scattered through Otter Tail
county, afford good fishing grounds.
1t is to the Douglas county lakes,
however, that larger parties go, for
hotel accommodations are said to be
| ample, while the bass fishing at Osakis,
Miltona, Carlos and the score of beau
| tiful. lakes inv the famed region, an
nually brings hundreds from widely
| separated points in the country.
A large party of ST. Paul and Grand
| Forks men have arranged to meet at
| Osakis for an outing, and Elmer II.
| Dearth, state insurance commissioner
for Minnesota, will be one of the num-
ber. y 81
A party consisting of DR.. Justus
| Ohage, Gen. H. w. Childs, Conde Ham
| lin and S. f. Fullerton go tonight to
| Osceola, Wis., near where DR.. Ohage
has a fine bass preserve, and where the
party will spend two or three days.
The railroads report many small par
| ties as having engaged transportation
\ to points in the state.