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Tyler Winter

@buffalo_catcher

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I'm a native fish conservationist and angler based in Minnesota. I'm also a co-founder of Native Fish For Tomorrow. @nativefish4tomorrow

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Annual reminder that the goal of native fish conservation is to apply the principles of grouse management to 100 year old buffalo fish.

Let's compare how the @minnesotadnr has managed these two native species.

Life expectancy
Grouse - 1 year
Bigmouth buffalo - 100 years

Habitat
Grouse benefit from thousands of acres of actively managed habitat. Buffalo are negatively impacted by barriers to control water levels or exclude invasive species.

Population data
Grouse abundance is monitored with a standardized drumming count summarized in annual report. Buffalo are counted if captured during fisheries surveys targeting other species.

Limits
Grouse - 5 - 3.5 month season
Buffalo - still unlimited - continuous

Commercial Harvest
Grouse - Are you kidding?
Buffalo - unlimited

Wanton waste
Grouse - hunters expected to take breast, which is majority of meat. Buffalo - tournaments still advertise "free disposal" of hundreds of pounds of edible fish.

Don't get me wrong, Minnesota has made massive progress in conserving native fish. Managers have stopped actively persecuting native species. However, when we compare native fish to birds we see how much work remains to apply the seven principles of the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation to native fish.

#NativeFish4tomorrow #grousehunting #nativefishconservation #northamericanmodelofwildlifeconservation #Minnesota taken in Minnesota by @buffalo_catcher

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2 days ago

At @nativefish4tomorrow we love to take kids fishing. They get excited about every fish that hits the bank. Their curiosity and enthusiasm is contagious.

Recently we were able to do two very different fishing events. The first was a Scout troop on the MinnesotaRiver. Scouts were able to practice their fishing skills and made serious progress on their fishing merit badges. We learned fish ID, fish handling, where to find fish in a river, and how they migrated.

The most recent event was with @saintpaulparks on the Mississippi River for National Public Lands Day. This was an open house format with effectively no barriers to participation. Lines were out, rods in forked sticks, and people waited for a bite in turn. When a fish bit we handed the rod to whoever's turn it was! And with 5 or 6 lines out they usually didn't have to wait long! We kept a few fish in a "live well" made from a laundry basket so everyone could see a native fish, even if they didn't have time to fish. Lots of great conversations on the river bank as people learned that redhorse are not carp!

On both days the vast majority of fish caught were native species. In fact, I think we only got one invasive each day. Proof these ecosystems are still dominated by native fish.

Lastly, I'd just like to say @NativeFish4tomorrow is run by volunteers. @buffalo_catcher, @kol_eric and @etkhandmade made these two events happen. We provide gear and pay for bait and supplies out of pocket. If you would like to support our work please make a donation online. Next summer there may be additional opportunities to volunteer. Stay tuned.

#NativeFish4Tomorrow #ForkedStickProstaff #NativeFish #redhorse #nationalpubliclandsday by @buffalo_catcher

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12 days ago

The North American Model of Wildlife Conservation has 7 principles. Number 7 is, "Scientific management is the proper means for wildlife conservation."

Fish are uniquely suited to scientific management because each one records their individual growth and life in their tissues and otoliths. The things scientists can learn from otoliths and isotopes boggles the mind. Hypothetically, you can calculate the growth of individuals and populations. Not growth in numbers, but growth in biomass produced by a population. Managers could limit harvest so it never exceeds the annual production.

There are two challenges to that intense approach. One, is the time/ expense of collecting the data. The second: our current regulatory structure doesn't limit total harvest.

But we can apply our current regulatory structure scientifically by looking at population trends and life history traits.

However, the @minnesotadnr still hasn't gotten the administrative law judge hearing scheduled. This is the final hurdle necessary before native fish limits can be implemented. It has to be done before regulation books go for printing ahead of the 2027 fishing season. Given the pace of these things, now is the time to make it a priority.

#ShortheadRedhorse #NativeFish #SciCom #fisheriesmanagement
#NativeFish4Tomorrow taken in Minnesota by @buffalo_catcher

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20 days ago

Hell yeah! It has been A TIME. Realized I haven't shared a shorthead redhorse in a month. I've been catching, but between the Minnesota State Fair and organizing Native Fish Fest for @nativefish4tomorrow I haven't been on the socials much.

Low water has really concentrated the redhorse in deep runs on the main stem Mississippi. And these have been quality fish, almost all over 16". Many of them in the 18"-20" range.

I live on the ichthyological calendar. The departure of the buffalo has marked the beginning of fall. It usually happens around Labor Day. Sunset is just after 7 pm now, water temps have dropped dramatically. Take advantage, as best you can,of these warm days. Winter is coming.

#ShortheadRedhorse #NativeFish #ForkedStickProstaff #suckerforasucker #NativeFish4Tomorrow taken in Minnesota by @buffalo_catcher

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23 days ago

2nd Annual Native Fish Fest 2026 hosted by Native Fish for Tomorrow was a smashing success! Thank you to everybody who pitched in and showed up. We seemed to have at least double the turn out from last year and a lot of people from out of state. There were many informative and knowledgeable presenters with a wide variety of expertise ranging from anglers to artists. The fried catfish and buffalo ribs hit the spot and the drum dip was fantastic. Folks were catching fish from shore, while enjoying the beautiful weather. I am sure looking forward to Native Fish Fest next year. #conservation #event #nativefishfest #nativefishfortomorrow taken in Watergate Marina - St. Paul, Minnesota - Mississippi River by @buffalo_catcher

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a month ago

Went to Native Fish Fest today and had a V agreeable time! So many smart and thoughtful people in one space. Highly inspirational. Also got to meet and hang out with some excellent individuals. Should have taken more photos. ❤️

#shorelunchwithnatep #nativefish4tomorrow

@nativefish4tomorrow @buffalo_catcher @etkhandmade @solomon.r.david @kol_eric @kimberly_boustead @tedhansen_art by @buffalo_catcher

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a month ago

2nd Annual Native Fish Fest coming soon. Save the date to celebrate all things native fish.
Sept. 13th 2026 3-8 p.m.
Watergate Marina St. Paul #conservation #events #roughfish taken in St. Paul, Minnesota by @buffalo_catcher

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a month ago

It's important not to take yourself too seriously. I've always thought biting a fishing rod handle was too disgusting to spoof. But, when @jamie_carlson_cooks makes you a fly rod... you have ONE DAY when the handle is still clean. Luckily I connected with a buffalo on the purpose built rod (with a nuclear bison) to get my goofy picture.

What is serious are the conservation needs around buffalo and other native fish. The DNR is working on a "Statement of Need and Reasonableness" because they to say, "Unlimited harvest and disposal of 100 year old native fish is unethical and unsustainable." in some long winded legal-eez memo that sounds more authoritative than an Instagram post.

We've made a ton of progress for these fish, but the final mile of getting regulations enacted is taking too long.

#StopWantonWaste #NativeFish4Tomorrow #BuffaloOnTheFly #BigmouthBuffalo #FlyFishing taken in Minnesota by @buffalo_catcher

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2 months ago

My son got his first bowfin last weekend. It was our first crack at the dinos all summer. . There is always that anxiety when returning to a good spot... did it get hammered? Will we find bowfin on the ground? Will they be there? What are the water levels?

Absolutely did not disappoint

Even the smaller bowfin are so fun to catch. Caught a couple that were just losing their juvenile markings. These fish are so unique, so hard fighting, so fun to fish for, and can get so big they are just incredible "game" fish.

Did run into some... less enthusiastic anglers... one informed us a "bowfin broke my rod yesterday." Wasn't clear if he dropped a rod in the water and a bowfin bit it in two (possible) or if he broke the rod trying to land a hard fighting fish (likely). Hope he learns to enjoy catching strong fish since that is typically the goal of fishing.

#bowfin #NativeFish #TakeAKidFishing #NativeFish4Tomorrow #ForkedStickProstaff taken in Jurrasic Park by @buffalo_catcher

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2 months ago

Srsly though. If you love a hard fighting fish, let a bowfin wreck some tackle.

#bowfin #StopWantonWaste #ForkedStickProstaff #nativefish #dogfish taken in Jurrasic Park by @buffalo_catcher

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2 months ago

This weekend I went to @meateater store opening wearing my second favorite Cut and Retie shirt. Everyone who remembers the Bent podcast (#AlwaysRemember ) knows how funny THAT is.

OBVIOUSLY I got a compliment on the shirt because @joe.cermele138 's "new" podcast is the best/ only fishing podcast. And I had to mention I was on a recent episode.

"You're the native fish guy!"
Yep. I am THAT guy.

To be clear, I'm only one of the native fish guys and gals in @nativefish4tomorrow doing events like River Fest at @mississippigateway or appearing on podcasts.

#cutandretie #NativeFish4Tomorrow #NativeFishGuy #ShortheadRedhorse taken in Minnesota by @buffalo_catcher

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2 months ago

Second trip to the Little River and even though there was some new trash today I feel like I’ve made a really good dent at this spot. I still want to do more here but next time I’ll need to slap on the waders.

Next week I’m gonna hit a different spot or two closer to work and try and have more time dedicated.

Couple quick notes:
1) Repel is not bug spray, it goes on your clothes; not on your skin or in the water. So I hope that ass hat learned a lesson the hard way
2) I’m gonna document and save the progress for a lil bit of all the line retrieved. There’s a side by side of today’s versus Tuesday’s haul here.
3) To the guy “fishing” the sparkly red mono that was “lost” in multiple easily accessible places; either learn how do it right or find another hobby. Your contribution of almost 50+ yards of line was second hand embarrassing.

Thank you all for the support and I’ll be back at it again next Tuesday 🤙🏻

@joe.cermele138
@watermiles
@drewlr
@shorelunch_with_nate_p
@buffalo_catcher
@riverhorse_nakadate
@oliverngy
@mikeiaconelli
@throwdown_fishing
@jamestfee
@onthewatermagazine
@ncwildlife
@virginiawildlife
@virginiafishingtours
@onamissionfishing
@joey_gaslight
@alvin_dedeaux_fly_fishing
@find.and.fish
@lucas_york_black
@jakekeeler
@mike_sudal
@bobthegarbageman

And yes Bob you’re staying at the bottom till you respond.

#tackletrashdays #cutandretie #lovelocalwaters #ncwildlife #notwastingmytime by @buffalo_catcher

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2 months ago