19.5 pound walleye

[mtwalleye]

Just got a picture in that's worth a look -- a 19.5 pound walleye that was tagged and released by Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks during spring netting on Canyon Ferry Reservoir in 1998. I posted it at www.walleyesunlimited.com. If I ever saw something that big on the end of my line, I think I'd probably fall overboard. -- mark

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Walleyes Unlimited
www.walleyesunlimited.com

[Backwater Eddy]

Ya.......that be a .....><sUMo>

[CarpetBagger]

Whoa! Thats a Hogg.

CB

[eyebuster]

It gave me GOOSE BUMPS..........Lots of em'.

eyebuster
dave

[Hogslammer]

If I ever catch one that big, I would think I'd died and gone to heaven. What a gut on the hog, must of swallow a 5lb. walleye.

[Otter]

What a gut - that thing must have eaten a few too many cheeseburgers!

[WAeyes]

help........need air.......walleyes cant get that big........wheres my medication............

I don't think I like that big smile on his face either!

It is so fat he needs assistance from his elbow to hold it!

Looks like she just lines up at the food trough and opens mouth!

I wonder what that fish weighs today?

[Russell]

You boys can go to the Winnipeg River Manitoba in the fall and catch one darn near that big....I got one last year there the last day of October that was 15-8....

[appleye]

Dang thing is pure pork. Does anyone ever caught any of the spawners like her in the spring. I live about 8 hours away I think I could make a road trip for that!

appleye
Scott appley

[Stump]

All I can say is "OINK,OINK" Gotta love it!
Stump

[bigjohn]

That is absolutely the best looking female I've seen in sometime.

[Mt eyeman]

The year before, an even larger one was netted that weighed over 20#. That fish was killed, along with several other 18 and 19 pounders, under the direction of area fisheries biologist Ron Spoon.

[EYESCHOOL]

mtwalleye, Thanks for the pic. What an Eyeasaurus rex!

[Dutchman]

I'm curious, Why would they kill these large beautiful gals???


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

[EYESCHOOL]

I doubt they did it on purpose. At least I hope not! Trap netting is usually a pretty safe practice but, still leaves some risk. Especially with old fragile eyes like these.

[WAeyes]

Let me guess...that had something to do with saving the trout from those evil walleyes that intentionally eat only trout.

[EYESCHOOL]

Let's not get hostile now WAeyes! :-)
Have you been out fishing for those Columbia sumos lately?

[SUPERTROLLER]

"I release most of my 15 lb.+ walleye too. They taste better when they're a little smaller anyway." (and then I wake up! oh, I hate that dream.)

[mtwalleye]

The 20.2-pounder was found dead in the nets. Big winds blow on Canyon Ferry and they kept the netting crews off the water for a time. When they finally could go out, the fish was there.

Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks had a mandate to its biologists to remove walleyes from the reservoir and, for several years, that was what they did. This decision was made because walleyes were considered an illegal introduction into the lake (which is another whole can of worms which is disputed by some, not by others, and has led to some hot-tempered discussions on both sides of the issue). For several years, walleyes were killed and their meat was donated to charities. Later, the fish were netted, tagged and transported to Hauser Reservoir (just downstream from Canyon Ferry) Some fish in the 16, 17 and 18 pound class went there.

In the past few years, the walleyes have been tagged and released back into Canyon Ferry. That's what happened to the 19.5-pounder. In the latest management plan, Canyon Ferry is being managed for both walleyes and trout. Not everybody agrees with the management plan, but under it, walleye removal from the lake isn't done anymore.

That's why I'm hoping that 19.5-pounder is still out there.....and tipping the scales well over 20 pounds by now. -- mark
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Walleyes Unlimited
www.walleyesunlimited.com

[WAeyes]

Nice to hear things have changed recently. I know for a fact that trout and walleyes can co-exist in the same body of water. Every place I fish walleye has an outstanding trout fishery. I have had plenty of days where catching trout up to 6 lbs. was very common while fishing for walleye. The biggest key here is the trout stocking program they have in place. Nothing smaller than 9" is released anymore. If perch can co-exist with the walleye (in fact thrive) why is trout any different? They certainly are very able swimmers to stay alive.

[WAeyes]

I have been saying "next weekend" for too long. LOL

[Atomic Eye]

Co-existence of trout (rainbows, brown, as well as kokanee salmon), walleye, and perch - 2 reservoirs in New Mexico are Cochiti & Abiquiu. The latter lake does not appear to thermocline even down to 100'+ in summer with oxygen all the way down. So, the fish can use the entire vertical column of water.

I've caught big crappies in June with spawn in them because they were staying in the deeper water. Strange biosystems in these lakes.

Atomic Eye (New Mexico) -- "Gone Fission!" ~~~<}}}:>

[riverrat]

cheeseburgers, fries, and MILLER!!! lol

[SnellTier]

Russell, where and are there any local guides there?

[mtwalleye]

Always happy to share a picture of a good fish with others who really appreciate such things. It definitely stirs the blood and makes a guy want to hit the water. -- mark
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Walleyes Unlimited
www.walleyesunlimited.com

[Mt. eyeman]

You got it.
The PLANTED trout, no less.

[Eyesrfn]

Mark, All I can say is WOW!!! What a fish!!! Look out Canyon Ferry here I come.

[Ristorapper]

If I catch that monster I will share some slimfast with her before i release her!!!!!!!!!!!!!