MAINE...IDAHO....Do we not have any Walleye folks there???

[RANGER]

I have been around here for a while now and I can't recall every seeing responses from Walleye fisherpersons from either of the potato capitals - WAZZZUP???

I have thought about a trip to Maine for Walleye sometime but it doesn't appear to be one of the leaders for that. I'm curious! :P

And Idaho, what about those beautiful rivers out there, the Snake and the Green?? They can't be trout purist rivers, can they?? :'(

[AquaMan]

Ranger, to my knowledge, there are no Walleye in Maine. Our family has had a place out there since 1930 and since my intro to walleye here in MN in 1985, I have searched for signs of the walleye or its species in Maine. The Stripped Bass and White Perch is as close as it gets.

I could be wrong, but none of the F&W sites I found for Maine list the walleye species in it's care currently. For that matter, no mention of walleye as a fishable species at all. But you never know, it could change. There is evidence that some walleye were found in a lake in the Belgrade Lakes area that were illegally introduced. No new news of their survival or increased presence.

In Idaho, check out Salmon Falls Creek Reservoir for good "eye" fishing. The State record came from there and weighed in at 16 lb 2 oz. Pretty respectable.

By the way, the Nations largest and worlds second largest potato producer, RDO (Ronald D. Offet) Farms, is based in MN. Just a little useless trivia.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[RANGER]

Aquaman,

Thanks for the enlightenment, both for Maine and the potato farm. I am really surprised about Maine! Considering their Latitude is about the same as the Canadian Shield one would think that the potential for Walleye would be as high as Canada's. Lost fishery there! Lost tourist bucks, too!

Heard you on Idaho, but I have never witnessed a post from anyone out there, have you?? Idaho may be rugged but it is beautiful and has lots of water! Go figure!

[AquaMan]

I agree about Maine. I was >>really<< surprised to see that they had no walleye or any desire to add them to their fishery. Maine is primarily a trout fishery, both inland and coastal. Other wise it is Lobsters and I would far rather see them improve that shell fish then add walleye. :-) Unfortunatly they are one of the poorer states in our nation and do not have a lot of funding sourses as it is, so I don't see walleye being added anytime soon.

As far as Idaho, it would be my second choice for a retirement location. One of my "person-you-most-like-to-have-lunch-with" lived and died there, Ernest Hemmingway. It truly is gorgeous country.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[Editor - Western Walleye]

I am really interest in Idaho as well. With our new magazine covering the West, I haven't located any walleye fisheries in Idaho, but would love to cover them if there are any.

Duane Hons
Editor
Western Walleye
www.westernwalleye.com

[AquaMan]

Duane, I got my info from:

http://www.idfishnhunt.com/warmwatermenu2.html

and

http://www2.state.id.us/fishgame/Common/Maps/angguid/salfalls.htm

Check them out for more details.

AquaMan~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

It all begins and ends at the water's edge...

[fishinrod]

Yes there is walleye in idaho. They even have there own club and tournament at salmon falls in May. There club may have a link.

[RAIN MAN]

GREAT INFO THANKS...

[flyman]

I saw more than a few pieces on this when I lived in New England. Not only do they not want to introduce 'eyes into Maine, but they are fighting against irresponsible people who do so on their own. There have already been cases where it is believed illegal stockings of 'eyes has altered the existing fisheries.

[RANGER]

flyman,

That's really interesting! Not that I advocate the introduction of Walleye everywhere but I am interested into WHY Maine has chosen this policy. Do you know??

[flyman]

If I remember right, it mostly had to do with the how it would effect the brook trout and salmon fisheries, and to a lesser extent the smallmouth and black bass (ironically, much of their landlocked salmon were also introduced). They were also concerned about Pike introductions. Introductions of non-natives have a history of being very detrimental to brook trout fisheries. Even if introduced to a lake where they wouldn't have a negative impact, given the nature of their waters, they could easily spread through the entire watershed. I can understand their concern to maintain the "native" fisheries in the best conditions possible.

[RANGER]

Thank you!