Gillnet

[whistler]

Has anybody here used gillnets for whitefish? This is the first year that my lake has been open for whitefish netting and I would like to try it. I grew up eating smoked whitefish but never got to go out and help pull the nets. Any information would be much appreciated.

Thanks.


Whistler

[kasilofhome]

We set net using gillnets. We fish for salmon both for personal use fish as well as commercial fishing.

I know nothing about whitefish.

things to know
what is legal for gear where you would be setting.
what size net and mesh as well as type. Here there are alot of regs on this
I have seen 1200 in our own net with an average wt of 4.3 pound. So be prepared to work your butt off.
gloves hand oitment first aid

the best part is when the pick is over and the fish are counted but there is no time to rejoice cause its time to start all over again and this will last for six weeks soild where you learn that you can work and sleep at the same time ---

If you are only need a few fish can you dip for them? make a butterfly net with a five foot diameter but make it so the the frame is shaped like a letter D the flat end would rest on the bottom leaving the arched area for the fish to swim in. We have worked these with 20 foot poles.

[whistler]

Thanks for the reply. What you do sounds a little bit beyond the scope of what we are allowed to do. This is all for personal use and I am allowed 1 - 100' X 3' net with 3.5" stretched mesh size. We can't be in water over 6' deep. The DNR is pretty explicit and very clear about what is and isn't legal.

I guess my questions focus more on the when and where's.


Whistler