Al Maas

Al Mass will be Inducted to the National Fishing Hall of Fame this year !!

Address: PO Box 353200 Summit Ave Walker, MN 56484 Phone:(218) 547-1600 Email: aldimaas@arvig.net Years Guiding: 45 Species: Musky, Walleye, Northern Pike, Largemouth and Smallmouth Bass, Perch, Crappie, Panfish Rates: Summer: 5 hours trips - $350.00 Equipment Provided:Boat, motor, tackle for all species – fly fishing also Equipment Used:(sponsors) Boat:2016 620 Ranger, Humming-bird electronics, Motor: Mercury 250 Verado and 9.9 hp Bigfoot 4 stroke kicker Minnkota 4 Trex 101 - 36v Rods: Jason Mitchell Elite Reels:Abu-Garcia, Tackle:Northland, Fudally, Berkley, Abu-Garcia, Musky Inovations, Salmo Lures, Mepps, Twister, Schriever Hi-Jacker lures, Eagle Claw Hooks, Suick & Cisco Kid Lures, Wades Wobbler, Tippy River Tackle, Bait Rigs

Description of Self and Service: -45 years guiding in Leech Lake area -one of the original inductees into the Minnesota fishing Hall of Fame -Featured on National and Regional TV – “Fishing The West”, “Tony DeanOutdoors ‘, “Midwest Outdoors”, “Fishing the Midwest with Bob Jensen”,ESPN “On the Fly” -Featured in many magazines – National Geographic, Explore MN, AAA –“Home and Away” – Minnesota Sportsman, Outdoor World – (Guide Hall ofFame), Outdoor Life – Fishing North America, Field & Stream, Outdoor Life. -Been involved in lots of research and development in the marine and fishingworld.Designed rods, equipment, lures, and maps. -Guided many celebrities including Billy Martin of the New York Yankees,comedian Johnathon Winters, MN LT Governor 2007, Kent Herbeck, Jason Mitchell, plus many CEO’s of major companies -Belong to many Pro-Staffs: Ranger Boats, Mercury Motors, Jason Mitchell Elite rods,Abu-Garcia reels, Northland tackle,Wads Custom Tackle, Tippy River Tackle, Berkley, Fudally Tackle, Suick & Cisco Kid Lures, Eagle Claw Hooks, Musky Innovations, Salmo Lures, Abu-Garcia, Mepps, Twister, Bait Rigs -Fished (guided –Governor's open 1996, 2007 - LT Governor )

Biggest Fish: 1)Muskie – 57” – 50 lbs 2)Northern Pike – 23 lbs, 4oz 3)Walleye – 11lbs, 14oz 4)L.M. Bass – 7.5 lbs 5)Crappies – 2 lbs 6)Sunfish – 1.4 lb 7)Perch – 2 lbs 8) Small Mouth Bass - 5.5 lbs

Pine Mountain Lake is a 1,567 acre lake located on the west side of Backus, MN. There is a public access located in a city park on the east shore of the lake. Pine Lake is a very good lake for walleye and northern pike. There are some nice-sized northern pike here too. For bass anglers, largemouth bass are available. The 26-44 inch protected slot limit for northern pike on Upper Red Lake has changed to a 30-40 inch protected slot, with only one over 40 inches allowed and a possession limit of three. The catch and release regulations for largemouth bass on Turtle Lake (Ramsey County) have changed to a 14-20 inch protected slot, with only one over 20 inches.

1. When I lived in Virginia, MN, I had good luck for walleyes in the smaller lakes around the Lake Vermillion area. At that time, Pelican Lake near Orr, MN was good for huge bluegills and crappies (over 1#), big northern pike and small mouth bass. It is a huge lake with many different areas and the wind sweep dictates where to fish best.
2. Fishing Tips and Resources for Leech Lake. Seasonal patterns and presentations for walleye, northern pike, muskie, bass, perch, sunfish, crappie and eelpout. Information provided by Leech Lake’s legendary fishing guide and MN Fishing Hall of Fame inductee, Al Maas.

News Release Mille Lacs Lake winter anglers allowed 1 walleye starting Dec. 1

'Winter anglers on Mille Lacs Lake will enjoy a walleye harvest this winter for the fifth season in a row. Starting Tuesday, Dec. 1, anglers will be allowed to keep one walleye between 21-23 inches or one fish longer than 28 inches. This is the same regulation as the last two winter seasons.

“It’s good news that anglers will be able to harvest walleye again this winter,” said Sarah Strommen, commissioner of the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources. “Conservative management continues to sustain good fishing on Mille Lacs.”

Mille Lacs was a popular ice fishing destination during the winter of 2019-2020, in part due to poor ice conditions on other large Minnesota lakes. Anglers put in a record of more than 3 million fishing hours on the lake last winter. In each of the previous three winters, anglers spent about 2 million hours fishing on Mille Lacs.

“We want to provide anglers the opportunity to catch and keep some fish when the walleye population can support it,” said Brad Parsons, DNR fisheries section manager. “As in recent winters, we’re confident that the walleye population is abundant enough to support some harvest.”

Winter regulations are set after the DNR completes its annual fall netting assessment. The DNR’s 2020 assessment found that the walleye population has remained relatively stable over the past four years, having rebounded from population lows seen from 2012 to 2016.

Harvest from the winter of 2020-21 will be counted toward the state’s annual share of walleye from Mille Lacs under the 1837 treaty. State anglers share harvest with eight Ojibwe tribes that have fishing rights under the treaty.

The state’s allowable harvest for the coming year will be set in early 2021 through discussions between the state and the tribes. The DNR will set open water fishing regulations in March 2021 following discussions with the tribes and the Mille Lacs Fisheries Advisory Committee and after the conclusion of winter fishing.

Conservative fishing regulations in response to population lows have contributed to the recovery, allowing the DNR to offer anglers a harvest opportunity in recent winters and in May 2019 during the open water fishing season.

Northern Pike Slot On Leech Lake

Insights from fall assessments
While encouraged by the rebound in walleye abundance, the DNR is taking a cautious approach to managing Mille Lacs’ walleye fishery. Survival of walleye to age 3 and older has been inconsistent in recent years.

The 2013 year class – that is, fish born in 2013 -- continues to be the most abundant class of fish. These fish are mainly 17-21 inches long, with faster growing individuals exceeding 21 inches. Year classes from 2009 to 2012 were weak, and had low numbers grow to adults, while those produced since 2013 have had more fish survive to adulthood.

The 2014 year class is below average compared with those from the last 15 years. The 2015 and 2016 year classes appear close to average, and the 2017 year class is well above average. Since 2008, only the 2013 and 2017 year classes have been above average.

“We are encouraged to see additional year classes that will be contributing to the fishery,” Parsons said. “Having multiple year classes approaching maturity makes us comfortable with continuing to harvest some of the 2013 year class under this winter’s regulation.”

The assessment also looks at food abundance and walleye health. Perch and tullibee are the primary food source for Mille Lacs’ walleye. Perch and tullibee from 0 to 2 years old were caught in moderate numbers.

Leech Lake Northern Pike Slot Tournaments

Walleye condition, often referred to as plumpness, remained lower than recent averages. The relatively thin condition of fish suggest that forage was limited during parts of this year.

That lack of food contributed to the high catch rates in Mille Lacs early this summer. But that rate dropped in August and September, suggesting that the availability of forage improved later in the summer as fish hatched in 2020 grew and became a part of walleye diets.

Leech Lake Northern Pike Slot Limit

“A lower catch rate in the late summer can sometimes carry over into the winter if forage is abundant,” Parsons said. “But predators also can reduce available forage later in the winter, possibly leading to an improved bite.”

Leech Lake Northern Pike Slot Machine

Information about Mille Lacs Lake, including complete fishing regulations, is available on the DNR website at mndnr.gov/millelacslake.'