Where will the next World Record Walleye come from??

[Steelie]

Where do you people think the next world record walleye will come from. I have a been told it could come from the Columbia River on the OR/WA border. Supposedly there are some monsters in there. I have fished the Columbia twice for walleye and did pretty good. I'm just a beginner though with a lot to learn.

[Dutchman]

This is probly not the answer your looking for, but if fishing pressure continues to be what it is a world record fish may not appear. If I where to hunt for one I would look in the south where they grow faster and there is less pressure for walleyes. Southern reserviors such as Bull Shoals may continue to be where the Giants trully are. Just my 2 cents worth...


" Fishing is the pursuit of what is elusive but attainable, a perpetual series of occasions for hope "

[Tom G]

I would have to say green bay with catch and release almost being a rule to the majority of people. I think there are walleyes that inhabit the deep water 70 foot plus most anglers don't go much deeper than 40. Last year i heard of a couple people trolling 100 foot plus for salmon and coming up with 14 and 15 pound fish. The only question is how to pattern them. So thats my opinon
Good Luck

[mtwalleye]

It's really impossible to predict. Let's face it -- walleyes in that class are freaks of nature and no one knows where one might show up.

When it does, there are a lot of places it could come from -- anywhere from Erie in the East to the Columbia River in the West to Lake Michigan and those countless walleye lakes in Minnesota in the middle.

Heck, biologists even pulled a 20.2-pounder out of nets in Canyon Ferry here in Montana a few years back and it wasn't an exceptionally old fish.

Most guys aren't fishing gear big enough to interest a walleye that size or to land one if they hook it. Hence, a great amount of luck enters the picture. About the only thing I'm sure of is that when a new world record does show up, it won't be on the end of my line. -- mark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walleyes Unlimited
www.walleyesunlimited.com

[Backwater Eddy]

Certain highland reservoirs and a handful of river systems have the right combination of high pro sumo piggy food to grow such monsters, some in the west, some in the south, and a few up North.

I agree it will almost certainly show up on a presentation much larger then most anglers commonly use for walleye. I know of at least 2 walleye in the super sumo class caught on very larger cut baits commonly used for catfish.

I would have to favor the Lake Winnipeg system and it's tributaries as it has the forage to continue to support the huge fish it has now. Smelt now are exploding in the system and they will add a few more chubby pounds to a hungry big lake walleye. Even with the nets I think the super sumo class walleye will avoid them if possible.

I have a hunch it will show up in the next decade, or not at all.

><,SUMO,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[WAeyes]

I would have to agree that the Columbia River System or the reservoirs in the southern U.S. have the best opportunity for a world record. Neither area is a game of numbers, therefor a better chance for growth and health. Both areas have a longer growing (eating) season than anywhere else. Finally, they are at the top of the food chain of predators, no pike, no muskys. Walleyes rule the waters out here, they decide what lives and dies more than any other fish. One more reason about the Columbia...me and dan(or) are out here fishing for them but no one else is....NO COMPETION! Keep this under your hats will ya guys?

[WB Bob]

LAKE ERIE

[Dunn]

Some good points have been stated. Noone could really predict when or where the next Record will be caught. There are a few places though that in my opinion are more likely to hold such monsters.

Lake Huron. Anywhere from Saginaw Bay up and over to Canada. Very few if any walleye anglers ever venture out into the "salmon" waters of Lake Huron using equipment geared for walleye. Again though, who knows what a 20+lb walleye wants for supper? I know quite a few salmon fisherman especially ini recent years that have caught some pigs in the 12-15lb range and more then just a couple in a day. As someone said though, how do you pattern those walleyes of the deep? Are they roaming in Salmon schools? Roaming in school segregated schools? Or are they just wandering alone searching for smelt and bait? Noone knows.

Winnipeg River system. Defiently has the potential to hold monster walleyes. I haven't personally fished there, but I know alot of huge 'eyes have came out of there in the past few years.

Columbia River system. Point and fact with this one. Look at all the pigs that have came out of there and do come out of there EVERY year. The odds are in favor of a few MONSTERS lurking in the water.

As was already said, I think the reason people don't hook into many of these monsters is becuase 1) there aren't many, so chances go down to hook(and land) one. 2) Who knows what they want? A 8lb 'eye and a 16lb 'eye have different behavioral attitudes, that's what makes the 16lber what it is and the 8lber what it is. You aren't going to hook into many(yet land it also) when you don't have the right bait in the right water at the right time when the odds are already against you becuase of their rarity to begin with.

Just my thoughts.
Good fishing this coming spring and Summer all of you!
----------------
Marshall J. Dunn
N.P.A.A. # 701

[Backwater Eddy]

Very good points Dunn.

On some TVA dams in the South rumor had it that many potential world record walleye were caught and butchered while fisherman were targeting big blue cats in deep basins near spawning arms or in rivers. They long line drag large cut shad on a slow drift by the way.

Wouldn't that be a kick in the poopper to see the next world record walleye caught on catfish bait? Would sure make my day Eh!

:)

It could happen, like you said, what are there eating habits when they are that size, never can tell?

I would bet whatever it is, it's big.

><,,>

Backwater Eddy.....><,,>

[Fish-on]

If I was to bet, I would put my money on a reservoir on the southern fringe of the walleye's range. Those of you talking about the great lakes are talking about people catching 12-15 pounders. Guys the world record would have to be 10 pounds heavier than that! Not even close. The Columbia produces some whoppers but it look like the upper teens is the limit due to the cool water and slow growth.

I think the next record will come from a southern impoundment without numbers of walleyes, but where a walleye can key on one specific forage without much competitioon, and grow nearly year-round. Walleyes are a relatively new species in the southwest (AZ, NM and TX) and I'd put my money on one of them.

[eyewitness]

So how far a drive from the Seattle area are you talking about? I travel out there on business every so often and would love the opportunity to lay over a weekend and fish the Columbia. How much beer and gas money would it cost me?

[ufda]

I agree it will be from a southern reservoir where:
(1) it is the top predator in the food chain
(2) where there are lots of slow, stupid largemouth bass to eat
(3) where the G&F department plants those slimy trout in the winter season which should fatten up those large walleyes.
Let's hope, for my sake, that this southern reservoir is really in the southwest, like in AZ, like Canyon lake, like now!! :-)

[guideman]

I think some muskie angler trolling in deep water on LOTW may have a shot at
it. I have read reports by the DNR, on
fish in the twenty pound class swimming
the depths, of that great lake.

[Gilligan]

Gotta agree with Dutchman, probably won't happen. With increased fishing pressure, gill netting, spearing, and poorer habitat of many fisheries it will be tough.

A post of this same topic was here 2 years ago and I put my plug in for the Bay of Quinte (Canadian side of Lk Ontario) They produced many fish in the upper teens every year with one over 20# in '96. This fishery is now on the verge of total collapse and Canada is considering shutting the harvest completly off.

Here is a link to a pic of the one over 20#.
http://www.quintefishing.com/russ_cole_of_picton.htm

[WAeyes]

Eyewitness, it is anywhere from 2 to 5 hours of driving from Seattle. My favorite spot is actually 2.5 to 3 hours away. The famous McNary Dam is probably 4 plus hours. Give me a holler if you are going to be in the area. Would love to fish with someone from WC. That is if you are not afraid of the dark??? Late September to early November is best.

[bigfish1965]

I'm gonna say something no now will buy, but the next world record will come from the Niagara River. It has already given the Canadian record. The river itself holds lots of huge walleye. It has everything walleye need and they face little pressure. I fish a nearby tributary and regularly catch 12 pound fish. My biggest was 16 pounds and have a fishing buddy who dives there and has seen them much bigger. The 25 pound record was officially disqualified a while back and I don't even know what the record is now. The Canadian record is 22.25 pounds caught in the Niagara River in 1950. But if the world record doen't come from Canada it will come from Europe. I have seen pictures of 39 and 40 inch walleye, although they look abit different and may not be the exact same species.

[WAeyes]

Cool story and pics. Is that a Rattlin Rogue in its mouth? Wish it was mine!

[riverrunner]

This is my top ten from last to first

# 10- Detriot river- my local hole
# 9 - LOTW- minn,man.,ont.
# 8 - Fort Peck Res. - Montana
# 7 - Cumberland Lake- Tenn,Ken
# 6 - Norris Lake- Tenn.
# 5 - Columbia River System
# 4 - Lake Erie
# 3 - Bay of Quinte - Ontario
# 2 - Niagra River- Ont., N.Y.
And the winner is ,if I could fish anywhere in the world for a record walleye (not zander in europe) I choose Greers Ferry Res. in Arkansaw. just my thoughts Oh YA forgot a couple Winnipeg river Lake Tobin Sask. Wow we got lots of water to fish . good luck and god bless throw some of them 12-15# ers back

[Kevin B]

My guess is from warm water. Greer's Ferry or some other place in the south.

[Todd_NE]

1. Winnipeg River System
2. Columbia
3. Montana (trout forage)
4. Lake McConaughy in Nebraska - real sleeper that has good forage, good genetics, and the fish are getting the lenght to hold that girth.
5. Take 'em pick from the Mason Dixon line

I personally hope a 75 yr old guy and his wife and/or grandchildren catch it on minnows or w/worm & spinner in their home or destination lake they've fished together for 50 years and donate it to the local state aquarium.

[Fish-on]

Big Green Lake, WI. Bill Snyder will catch it.

[Snyder]

My 17 pound walleye came from 67 feet of water , 11 feet off bottom, at the bottom edge of cisco, after dark. My two 15 pound plus walleyes were both caught in rollers, 40-48 feet down on bottom...........all three of these on 6-8 inch chubs. My 13 and a half pounder, from Eagle Lake, 8 feet down, 65 feet of water............ 10 inch Cisco kid........

My thought......... there are large fish, to almost 20 pounds in many waters.........most fishermen, spend their time fishing where they can catch fish......walleyes do not grow large living at such locations. So the bulk of huge walleyes are caught when the fish move shallow to spawn........

just because large fish are not caught, doesn't mean they are not there......... 43 pound lake trout netted.......never caught Green Lake, 3 15 pound walleyes tagged, Green Lake Never Caught, 60-70 pound Muskie netted Eagle Lake, never caught..........238 pound Sturgeon netted, not taken Lake Winnebago, ..............the list goes on and on............

[ozarkeyes]

As soon as I catch it in the next few weeks I'll let you know where, but not how!

[mrbreeze]

It is worth looking at Snyders comments.

I think that catching a world record walleye, and for that matter any walleye over 13.5#, is kinda like shooting a really big PY whitetail in Michigan. If you look at the really big P&Y whitetails taken in MI over the past 30 years, they have two things in common - they are either taken from remote areas where they have a chance to live past 18 months (the age that it seems most MI hunters deem appropriate for harvest) , or they are taken from somewhat remote areas that have access to excellent nutrition (in the nutrition case the deer don't have to live as long to get big racks).

I think that the same is true for big walleye. You are more likely to find them in unpressured environments that are coupled with high energy (fatty) food sources. These tend to be the same palces that you'd find a lot of the large lake-dwelling salmonids. Take a look at Henderson Harbor, NY....not a lot of fish, but those that you do catch tend to be really big out in the deep water. How was this fishery discovered? By salmon fishermen. I don't think that anybody has figured how to specifically target them, but they are there. If I were going to spend a lot of time trying to catch only big 'eyes, I'd tend toward deeper water (45 FOW+), with high energy and fatty food sourecs....to me that means any of the Great Lakes that have good spawning tributaries for the run spring run (keep in mind that walleye are genetically programmed to do two things - eat and spawn), but whose big fish "disappear" from the shallows in the summer to eat. I'd also suggest that the target food source is going to be smelt, or something similar.

[jtourangeau]

Catching THE fish when its fattest.On bays de noc you can catch long fish that wont stack on the pounds till fall.What would you estimate the lenght of a record walleye be?Or even the age?I assume they keep spawning yearly till they die.

[KTurner Ul]

Ummm... 101 Science tells me it'll be south.... That is south of where "most" walleyes anglers originated (or at best where the anglers that visit the web) from.... Think about 9th grade biology.... What temp will fish eat most in a calendar year? 50 degrees (Canada), 60 some degrees (deep water upper Midwest US) or 70 some (south of MN)?

Sure hope my health allows me to live my golden years hitting some new "south" waters and feeling that "thunk" on the jig of those big girls.

Don't get much better then the "thunk...."

[Terroreyes]

The end of my line. LOL :)

[JLDII]

I find it funny that nobody has mentioned Old Hickory Lake in Kentucky where supposedly the world record was caught.

I say supposedly, because if I remember correctly, there is some question as to the validity of that record. If it gets thrown out, what is the "magic" number we must beat?

I agree with a lot of the waters mentioned so far, and can not offer any other possibilities.

[PackerSmacker]

Where do you people think the next world record walleye will come from. I have a been told it could come from the Columbia River on the OR/WA border. Supposedly there are some monsters in there. I have fished the Columbia twice for walleye and did pretty good. I'm just a beginner though with a lot to learn.

The biggest walleye is going to come from Elephant Butte Lake. There are man-sized catfish in the lake. There are big stripers. There are big eyes. The stripers and bass get most of the attention. Some bass fisherman or striper fisherman is going to catch the big one!

[Raybob]

Some bass fisherman or striper fisherman is going to catch the big one!

Dang!!!!!! :) :)

[ozarkeyes]

I find it funny that nobody has mentioned Old Hickory Lake in Kentucky where supposedly the world record was caught.

I say supposedly, because if I remember correctly, there is some question as to the validity of that record. If it gets thrown out, what is the "magic" number we must beat?

I agree with a lot of the waters mentioned so far, and can not offer any other possibilities.

Correction.. Old Hickory Lake is in Tenn., but supposedly is the operative word. That record was debuked a few years back, when the Lindners owned In-Fisherman at that time. The current and recognized record is 22lb 11oz from Greers Ferry Lake-Arkansas 1982;

And where, I might add, I "intend" to catch the next one from in the next few weeks! Heh,Heh,Heh!

[JLDII]

Correction.. Old Hickory Lake is in Tenn., but supposedly is the operative word. That record was debuked a few years back, when the Lindners owned In-Fisherman at that time. The current and recognized record is 22lb 11oz from Greers Ferry Lake-Arkansas 1982;

And where, I might add, I "intend" to catch the next one from in the next few weeks! Heh,Heh,Heh!

Thank you sir, I stand corrected.

22.11 is all? Hardly seems worth the effort. :grin: