Back when “selective harvest” meant selecting the biggest fish to harvest...
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Came across this post by The Structure Cafe on FB (fun follow!) showing an old newspaper photo from April 1971 in the Brainerd Dispatch:
> THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER provided over 200 walleyes the past weekend for a group of anglers from this area, fishing below the dam at Alma, Wis. Shown holding up some of the larger walleyes included in the string are (left to right) Ron Christopherson, Gary Roach, Al Lindner, Ron Olson, Curly Lehn and Rod Romine. All but Olson are guides out of Nisswa Bait Shop during the summer.
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> Lindner reports "Fishing should reach a peak in a week or so with the big females biting very good. The water was a little cold for real good fishing – it was 33 degrees and it's best around 39. This area is about a four hour drive from Brainerd. This coming week or two will be fantastic with the really big fish moving in." All of the fish were caught on Lindy Rigs with fatheads and nightcrawlers and in 10 to 15 feet of water.”
Wonder how many walleyes have been caught on the Lindy Rig ever since Ron Lindner invented it in 1968?!
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This awesome throwback was shared on the Lindner’s Angling Edge Instagram page showing Al Lindner’s first Lindy Rig walleye EVER:
> “He just returned back from Vietnam and was living in Rhinelander, WI. This is the first walleye Al caught on a Lindy Rig – a rig system his brother Ron designed while he was away. The fish was caught on Lake George.”
And of course it was a giant!
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Btw that might have been Al’s first walleye ever on a Lindy Rig, but it wasn’t his first catch using ‘em.... The first Lindy-Rig-catch picture EVER was actually with Al and Ron absolutely lighting up the largemouth. 😅
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Some comments about that pic ^ from Ron before he passed. 🙏
> Ron: “...we were trying to catch walleye, but bumped into a big school of bass instead...it was late in the year (3rd week of Sept). We had not put the Lindy Rig on the market yet (that would take another year) we just invented it and we were still experimenting with it.
> “Brother Al was just back from Vietnam. The catch came from Lake George, WI...we were using 4” chubs.
> “What I like about the photo (it was before “catch and release”...we still were using stringers...no beards...and notice the antenna arms on the TV) it takes me back to the old days.”
How cool is that?!
But gotta admit the very first thing that came to my mind was...
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"I’m not saying it’s the best bait ever for each of these species but it catches them all."
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That's CAN Bassmaster Elite pro Jeff "Gussy" Gustafson talking' why he loves the Northland Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon. Don't let that title fool ya', Gussy is a Lake of the Woods hammer, ex-guide, and can tear up anything that swims out there. Here's more on why he says that spoon is the deal in this post:
> In the early 2000s, after I finished school and guiding was my way to make a living, I was on the ice a bunch and I fished for everything with my Buck-Shot Rattle Spoon.
> I spend most of my time fishing the north end of Lake of the Woods, walleye paradise, but we also have some of the best multi-species options available anywhere.
> Of all of the above-mentioned species, I have tricked plenty of each on the Buck-Shot Spoon, in my opinion – the best ice fishing lure I have ever tied on the end of my line.
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> I’m not saying it’s the best bait ever for each of these species but it catches them all...but it would be hard to argue a better all-around bait for perch, walleye and whitefish.
> If you’re on good water for perch and walleyes and want to catch a bunch of fish, tie on a 1/4-oz spoon. I've caught fish on every color over the years but my top 3 are probably Super-Glo Goldfish (especially on LOTW, where gold is always good!), Super-Glo Perch and Pink Tiger UV.
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> If I’m on big walleye water or I’m looking to trick a lake trout, I might move up to the 3/8 or 1/2-oz spoon.
> I always fish my spoons for perch and walleye on an 8-lb braid, with a 6-lb fluoro leader. If I’m hunting big fish I might fish heavier line but I’ve landed plenty of big fish on that set-up. I always tip my Buck-Shot with a minnow head to add a little bit of natural scent and that’s really all you need to know.
'Nuff said! And have you seen the new tungsten version? Same sick spoon in a more compact package with a great sonar return. Love some of the new colors, too.
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This fish-house design is absolutely wild 🤣
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I’ve seen a lot of wild fish-house concepts, but Jeremy Barnett’s portable-potty design he calls “The Crappie Shack” is just incredible LOL:
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Few details from this new WSAW-TV story:
> A few years ago, he got the idea to take an old porta potty, make some key alterations, and take it out on the ice. A friend of his was able to get a porta potty for him to work on. He says the idea came to him while he was at work.
> “When you’re on a job site and all you have is a porta potty and it’s zero degrees out, you are sitting on it and you’re freezing and you’re thinking ‘well, I might as well be on a lake fishing,’ ya know. Like let’s do it....”
She’s set up on skis, has LED lights for the night bite, and even a mount for a TV – he and his buddies were able to watch the Super Bowl while fishing hahaha.
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And get this:
> Barnett said another, much larger version of the Crappie Shack is in the works. He said he’s secured a bigger “handicapped” porta potty that is no longer in use. He plans to work on outfitting that this summer and debuting the new and improved Crappie Shack next winter.
The full story will be airing on WSAW News tonight at 5pm cst. 👊
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"Eat it and continue on with your day...really gonna blow DNR’s mind when the walleye is commuting on the interstate."
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- Hilarious comment under a post from Frank Immel who found a Passive Integrated Transponder (PIT) tag in the chest meat of a walleye he cleaned.
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Makes ya wonder how many folks have accidentally eaten one or chipped a tooth in the process. 😳
Btw here’s some more info on what PIT tags are and how they work.
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Need an excuse to buy more fishing gear?
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Just show your significant other this pic posted by my buddy Tony Mariotti...skin-on bluegill fillets are $18 a pound! And that's for 'gills that were farm raised in China?! 🥴
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> Karl Erickson, who runs the non-profit Urban Ice Anglers, aims to teach kids about ice fishing, conservation and ice safety.
> “With no cost barriers, no equipment barriers, no experience barriers that are in the way.”
> “Hopefully, this creates a future generation of watershed stewards, and kids that make great decisions when we do get to the lake....”
2. OH: Maumee River walleye run expected to be historic
Thanks to the ice coverage (96%) on Lake Erie.
3. MT: Lower Yellowstone River walleye flourishing
Thanks to a bypass channel that now allows fish to get upstream of the Intake Diversion Dam.
> Many of the fish now moving up and down the Yellowstone River are coming from North Dakota’s Lake Sakakawea in the spring in search of spawning habitat.
4. NY: Lots of proposed walleye reg changes
> ...that will help protect fish while spawning, increase the reproductive capacity of walleye in Lake Ontario’s eastern basin, and eliminate unnecessary special regulations.
5. OH: Bay’s Edge Ice Shootout set for Feb 28 on Lake Erie
Believe this is the Lake Erie Walleye Trail’s first crack at an ice-fishing derby on western Lake Erie.
6. NWT registration opens Mon at 10am cst
7. John Hoyer 🤝 Norsk Lithium
8. New Fish Tales episode is a fun listen 🎙️
> ...Byron Velvick sits down with JD DeMare and Phil to talk walleye fishing, tournament stories, and the infamous cheating incident that shook the sport.
> They break down how competitive anglers were caught adding weights and fish fillets to cheat in tournaments, why the punishment sparked controversy, and the lasting impact on the fishing community. Along the way, they share humorous anecdotes, personal fishing stories, and insights into how technology is changing competitive fishing.
> Whether you’re a casual angler, tournament pro, or just love fishing stories, this episode delivers honest takes, insider knowledge, and laughs from some of the sport’s most experienced voices.
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9. James Lindner hopped on the “Bigwater Fishing Podcast” 🎙️
Hosted by the always-eccentric (lol) Ross Robertson.
> ...and talks about the early years of In-Fisherman, the Professional Walleye Tour, and how walleye tactics and strategies have evolved over the years....
10. Seahawks' Devon Witherspoon did the hookset sack dance...
...in the Super Bowl, as pioneered by former MN Vikings D-end Brian Robison.
11. Josh Matthews is new Honda Marine division director
He replaces Daniel Sherlock:
> In his new role...leads the development of integrated strategies, business planning and operational execution...with a focus on strengthening external engagement with dealers, sales channels and customers to drive sustainable business growth.
12. WI: Striker is having a moving sale Feb 19-20
> "We're moving and need to clear out our retail store. All existing floor merchandise must go (because we don't want to move it ourselves). Great deals and one-of-a-kind buys...but quantities and sizes are limited, so get here early.
Starts at 10am and they’re located just outside the Twin Cities in Hudson.
13 Fishing releases technique-specific Shaker Rod
Designed specifically for shaking a minnow:
> “When it comes to shaking a minnow, there are many different variations of jig heads and sizes of minnows, but what is most important is selecting the right rod,” said Ricky Teschendorf, Head of Product Development for 13 Fishing Rods. “What we’ve done at 13 Fishing is we’ve tailored two separate series, Oath [$100] and Myth [$200], for the technique.”
> The rod’s technique-specific construction boasts a super-responsive and bouncy tip, plus a midsection built to absorb the force of an adrenaline-fueled bass swimming with all its might. Paired with a VMC Minnow Shaker Jig and a CrushCity Mooch Minnow or Freeloader, you’ll be unstoppable.
> “The bouncy tip is what imparts the side-to-side rolling action that you need,” said Teschendorf. “Once you have these fish hooked and they are making long aggressive runs along the side of the boat, you want that midsection to absorb that head-shake or that big run.”
14. Big Minn Kota and Humminbird sale on right now
Called the "Big Season Opener Sale" – gitcha discounts! Here's the Minn Kota info, here's Humminbird, and yup MEGA Live 2 is on sale too!
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15. Electric power using conventional outboards?
> Vision Marine Technologies (NASDAQ: VMAR) filed a US patent application...covering a structural integration system that mechanically pairs high-voltage electric motors with conventional outboard assemblies....
> The filing supports standardized high-voltage powertrain interfaces, broader compatibility with existing outboards, scalable production and lifecycle support.
> Vision Marine now has 14 patent applications pending focused on high-voltage marine propulsion integration.
16. Plano expanded its StowAway box line
17. MN: Mille Lacs perch limit dropped to 5
Was 10 to start the season.
18. UT offering $1.50/carp bounty at Utah lake
19. MN: DNR proposing harvest limits for native rough fish
Including bowfin, buffalo, carpsucker, freshwater drum, goldeye, mooneye, quillback, redhorses and suckers.
20. WI: Sturgeon spearing szn opens TOMORROW
On the Winnebago System.
21. Wisconsin Fishing Expo is Feb 27 thu Mar 1
At the Alliant Energy Center in Madison.
22. Outdoor Action TV 🤝 Reel Talk Fishing Podcast
23. WI: The DNR is accepting entries for...
...the 18th-annual Great Waters Photo Contest and Writing Project now thru April 1, 2026. Top photographs and writing submissions will be included in the next Wisconsin’s Great Waters Calendar.
Here’s the 2025-2026 Wisconsin’s Great Waters Calendar (36-pg pdf) for inspiration and examples of past submissions.
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And the winner is...drum roll...awkward pause...drummer continues to jam...okay put the drumsticks down dude:
🎊 dres******83@gmail.com 🎊 you win dude/dudette!!
I also just sent you a private email right before this. You’ve got 1 week to respond to that private message directly or our giveaway app gets to randomly draw a new winner. I’m looking forward to hearing from you!
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Those of you that didn’t win: Thank you for entering and for taking time out of your day to read these Target Walleye emails. 👊 We’ll have another giveaway coming your way soon....
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RELATABLE MEME OF THE DAY
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Stunning emerald colors on this Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba "greenback" walleye iced out of Lakeview Hecla Resort! And bonus points when they get all perky and finned-out for the camera. 🔥 Will you be celebrating March Madness?
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Sign up another fish-head!
If you're forwarding Target Walleye to a friend who loves to walleye fish or want your fishing buddies to get these emails, just send us their email addresses and we'll take care of it! (We won't sell the addresses, use them for spam, etc.)
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FRIENDS OF TARGET WALLEYE
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Target Walleye – walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Kumar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!
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Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He's in it now, but still can't answer that question.... Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a "fishing degree" at the time.... Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com
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