Fishing during the spawn?

[Curious]

In South Dakota you can fish for walleye during the spawning period. Other states you can't. Should South Dakota close the season until after the spawn or doesn't it hurt the fish population. I know of an area of river that is a prime spawning area and in that 20 mile stretch 400 boats were fishing it. Is this good?

[SUPERTROLLER]

Yes. As long as it's legal, it's all good.

[ohio]

curious.. you'll find the previous responce to be the rule on this site. But of cours its not best for the fish. Just best for the fishermen.

[fishy1]

in response to mesage no two sd has a slot limit that #$%$# for eye fisherman but if youre a fish you dont have a chance to grow up cause they keep all little ones and cant keep big ones which is good larger fish lay large amount of eggs the fishery is also overrun with small fish thats why they have a larger bag limit in sd but untill the states have an equall pay per year liscensce{not sure if i spelld that correctly}for non res. I wont fish sd untill other states charge sd residents the same price that sd charges outsiders there is just to many places too fish without the high dollar fees

[luvsd]

While it may seem like there is going to be some damage, I dont think it is that big of a problem, for the following reasons:. First off, there is a 4 fish limit per person, 3 fish may be between 15 and 17 7/8, and one may be over 18 inches. This is a pretty tight slot, but a very good one as far as protecting the resource. There is also a no-cull law, which was put in place to make upgrading the fish in your livewell illegal. Another great law! Personally, I would like to see the top side of the limit made into a large slot, from like 18-24 with no fish above 24 able to be taken out, but that is my own personal feeling. 22 inches is my personal release point, I dont care if I dont have an 18+ fish in the well, if it is more than 22 inches, it is going back. Again, that is my personal choice, not mandated by law. There are alot of 19+ fish in the system I think you are speaking about now, and that amounts to 3 18"+ fish per boat , assuming 3 ppl are in the boat per day. Taking the other 15-17 inch fish will not harm the system, as long as the rules are followed. DNR was at the ramp last Monday, creeling incoming boats. This is good. When I came off last Monday, they told me that they were averaging 1/2 fish per boat for the boats that had left the water that day. 400 boats on the water, does not mean everyone is coming off with a limit either, from what I have heard it is more a fair weather issue this weekend, than a good bite, at least since last Monday when the cold front came across the Dakotas. For the most part, the boats are fishing a 20 mile stretch of river which if spread out, amounts to 20 boats per mile. I know, the good spots are going to stack up boats like cordwood, but that does not necesarily mean that they are going to be there on that particular day, or move because of the pressure. When the traditional spots do not go, there are a large percentage of fisherman who will not do what it takes to locate the fish, and they wander around aimlessly going from cluster to cluster, looking more for a landing net in use, than trying to find and catch walleyes somewhere. There are millions of walleyes below the interstate, and no one is going there, with the exception of the dredge hole. Why, because the majority of fisherman out there will fish where they are told to go, or will follow the rest of the boats out like a herd of sheep to the traditional spots. With Sharpe opening up soon, and post spawn spreading out the fish again, the number of boats on that certain section will decrease. Especially when the neighboring states seasons open up. Personally, I think the cold March has slowed the spawning process down, and possibly increased the potential percentage of resource damage. Water temp on Monday, was still 37. hasnt changed since middle of Jan. Spawning should be in full swing by now, and I dont think its even close, Maybe after this next week of warm weather.

If Im not mistaken, there are many, many more states that do not close their walleye fishing, than the ones that do. Wisconsin I believe, has a closed season. Iowa has a state wide continuous open season, much like South Dakota does, except for West, East Okoboji, and Big Spirit, which for the most part is only closed in order to have a traditional opener and to keep the boats off the lakes until the spring gillnetting is accomplished and is not biologically based. Minnesota has a statewide closing, but the Mississippi River is open, and it takes some pretty heavy pressure also. Nebraska? North Dakota? Wyoming? Montana? Illinois? Indiana? Pennsylvania? Michigan? My guess is that they remain open year round, but I could be mistaken. Its happened before.

[fishy1]

very well put but how many people tell the creelsurveyors they caught nothing
I BELEIVE that surveyors should be able to search live wells just like a warden

[tkpolasek4]

Michigan closes there season in the lower pennisula from march 15th until the last sat. in april. In the u.p. the season closes until may 15th. The exception to this is that great lakes and all connecting waters are open year round in the lower pennisula. Most of the people fishing in this time period are fishing the Detroit River and Lake Erie. I'm sure it has some effect on the fishing, but we as individuals can control this through cacth an release. I would like to see a restriction that would only allow a individual to keep 1 fish over 22". That would allow a person to catch 1 trophy and still be able to catch fish for the table. The smaller males are the better eating fish anyways.


P.S. If your coming to Michigan to fish make sure you look up the definition of connecting waters...

[luvsd]

There were 4 GF&P employees at the ramp with two official vehicles parked right at the top of the ramp. I dont know if any one of them was a C.O. and didnt really care. If you're legal, you have nothing to hide. They are only doing their job. That is what we pay them to do, correct? It is our responsibility to give the the correct information, if not, the data will be skewed It is not in your best interest to tell them you caught no fish unless you have something to hide. Once a liar, always a liar. I may tell my buddies a fib, but Im not going to tell the GF&P. The main thing is, follow the law according to the limits and the restrictions on the limits, and refrain from putting yourself in a situation where you would think about keeping more than you daily limit. Use the phone, drop a dime on a known double dipper. Thats what the TIP lines are for and the C.Os love to get those tips. . There is no law that says you have to keep a limit, just because you caught a limit.

[chuck]

we fish in Erie & the Ohio DNR & Mich DNR both agree they would like to stop fihing durning spawn but the city that profit won't stand for it.



WHAT A SHAME.

[Tracy]

I posted this on another thread, thought I would copy it here too. Just my 2 cents on the subject of fishing during the spawn. As sportsman, lets all take a step back and reflect on what we are really doing to ourselves and who/what are we fighting for in regards to this issue? Read on...

Curious,
This question is raised here about 10,000 times every year and that is OK but... think about whose cause you are questioning. A fish caught and kept is a fish caught and kept no matter the season. That said, lets let the experts handle this decision. If fishing during the spawn were detrimental to the fish/fishery the DNR's would close the season during the spawn as they have done in many areas. Let the experts decide when and where sustainable populations exist to allow for year round angling. Each of us the right to decide to fish or not during the spawn where the seasons are open, lets leave it that way! Stop trying to erode the rights of other fisherman who are legally pursueing their quarry.

The animal rights groups out there would like nothing more than to see these seasons closed everywhere. Closed seasons are one of those fringe areas that they (PETA) work so hard on winning. It is an easy target for mass support. Half of the visiters (fisherman/woman) to this site would seem to favor closed seasons during the spawn. You and they can say that you're just looking out for the best interests of the fish/fishery, but guess what??? That is exactly what the folks at PETA are saying too. I'll guarantee you that the PETA folks and other "Animal Rights Groups" access these sites and use these posts to help sell/prove their points. Unknowingly, you and others who agree are fighting for their cause. The problem is that they don't stop and won't stop until they reach their goal: NON-USE OF ALL ANIMALS FOR ANY PURPOSE. Each time these people win a battle it makes their next victory that much easier. I would hope that you and people like you would be smart enough to realize that your actions and sentiments only add support to the cause that these people (PETA) are fighting for. You can fight them or you can join them. I would hope that as a sportsman, you would fight to preserve your rights to fish and hunt legally.

So if you choose not fish during the spawn, I commend you for your morals. That is your choice, Thank God you can make it.

Fight for your rights now or they will be taken away from you one at a time at a pace in which you'll never notice. Fish legally, while you still can!!!

Chuck,
Are you a sportsman? Do you like to fish? Do you want to be able fish for the rest of your life? Think about what you really want in regards to the questions that you raise here. Think about who/what you are really fighting for when you raise these questions. If you have concerns in regards to seasons and limits attend your DNR's Wildlife Hearings. Offer your insight there.

Tracy

[chuck]

Tracy:

Tracy:
I have been fishing for over 25 years. On the Detroit waters & lake know when we started we fished the river & there was few boats out there. As the spot became popular (thanks to Babe Winkleman, he ran a special on the Detroit river in the late "70's, we started looking to other areas to fish.
We went to the lake. The fish were there in large quanity & were easy to catch. The favorite way to drift with crawler.
Today the charters won't drift anymore because lack of sucess. The only way is to troll with mulitple lines etc.
I know the water is clear, comparied to years in the past but I also know the over creel limit is down. Which it has been for several years.
So why wouldn't I think it has to do with the fishing pressure the river is seeing today comparied to several years ago?
I know that the amount of boats in that river now is unreal that seems it has to have a effect.
I know there is a close season for other species why not walleye?
What else can be done to bring it back to the ways of yesterday?

[flyman]

I have often been guilty of looking on people keeping spawning fish with disdain. I say guilty, because it really isn't fair. I occasionally keep fish (although 90-99% of the time I fish C&R), and there is nothing wrong with keeping fish. We've been conditioned to believe that keeping spawning fish is worse than keeping fish at other times. The truth is that a fish caught and kept in August has no better chance of spawning the next spring than a fish caught and kept in April.

Perhaps the difference is the ease with which fish are caught during the spawn. For that reason, I have seen some places with limited spawning habitat that close season during the spawn. Another approach to this, which is used successfully with other species, is more restrictive limits during the spawn. That would theoretically offset the higher catch rates achieved during the spawn.

[bob oh]

That is not true Chuck. I have talked to biologists with ODNR and they have repeatedly said they DO NOT want to close fishing during the spawn. And, there aren't any cities that run the DNR!!!

[Tracy]

Chuck, I too have been fishing Erie for 25 years. And I can remember the good ole days too! Hours of flogging the water for a few fish a day, then the next trip catching one on every cast. Erie fishing was never easy, it was steady and at times it caused us to fish lazy. The days of going out and throwing an Erie Dearie over the side of the boat and laying your rod down waiting for a fish may be gone, but the good old days are not. Erie is not the lazy fishermans lake anymore. Erie and her walleye offer great rewards to those who have figured out the changing bite. Sure there are many more charters trolling today than there were 5 or 10 years ago, not because it is the only way to catch, but because it is the most efficient way to locate and cover vast areas. The vast majority of charters fishing the Western Basin are still drifting and casting.Todays fish move around a bite more than what we remeber. We need to be more mobile in our pursuit. The water has cleared to the point that the fish will not stay shallow with a lot of traffic overhead, we need to realize when it is time to move on to the next spot.

Baits that were hot last year may not get a look this year. Be flexible. Change colors, size and shape. I am a drift fisherman. I rarely troll, but I will when the conditions change and warrant it. I did not troll last season until late July when the lake went flat and casting was not getting the job done. Personally last year was an exceptional year for me. One of my best ever! Casted over 90% of the days I fished. Oh I have had days with bigger fish, but I never had days where we caught as many and as fast as we did last year. Maybe I am just a smarter fisherman and know where to spend my time on the lake. I do not know, but I do know that going into last season I had predicted it would be an awful year and was pleasantly suprised!

Try tossing single hook crawler rigs with #3,4 or 5 size blades. Colorado's or Indiana's, experiment till you find the right combo. Tie them with an 18-30" leader and use a 1/2-1oz. weight. The secret is the size of the worm. If you put over 2" on you got too much! Hook it once (I use the heads first) just through the 3rd ring at the nose, it will stay on! Before you pitch it drag it through the water to ensure that the spinner spins tight and the rig does not wobble. If it does rehook your piece of worm. Be willing to adapt and you will be as successful as you were before.

My big point before was that we as sporstman need fight to maintain our rights. Right or wrong open fishing during the spawn is a desision that is best left up to our local DNR's. These guys will not allow a fishery to collapse due to over pressure. Case in point is the reduction from 10 to 6 and from 6 to 4 during the spawn. These bag limits on Erie have been changed mid season as well when the fishery dictated a change was needed.
They will react quickly to changing populations and they will act in the interest of the fish, not the economies of towns around the lake.

Lake Erie is a remarkable fish factory. She has overcome much diversity and tremendous pressure and continues to produce some of the finest fishing any where in this country. You remember the early 80's when the bite was tough? I do. A lot of people thought that the Lake was in trouble then too. There were days that I fished my heart out for few fish a trip, then boom 1984 one of the biggest spawns ever. That spawn eventually caused the Ohio DNR to raise the Fish Ohio Walleye from 25" to 28". Our fluctuating success most often is the result of factors other than population. Weather, forage base and water clearity to name a few. Two years ago in the Spring and Summer it was the weather that caused poor fishing. Last Spring and Summer stable weather and a limited forage base brought excellent catches. Last Fall the huge schools of bait off of Huron and unstable weather were blamed for the lack of success there.

Enough of my soapbox!

Tracy

[chuck]

Tracy:


Thanks for you feedback. I just simply enjoy the sport & don't have as much confindence in the DNR. I remember the discussion a DNR officer had at a fishing club meeting I attended several years ago. We asked him about the $ spent on fishing & is the sport getting the $ returned fairly. " Unoffically he said, it really depends on the Gov., if the gov love fishing the $ goes to fishing, if he like bird hunting that is where the effort & $ goes.
Last spring at the western basin charter meeting in Sandusky I asked about spawn fishing & the Ohio DNR officer said he would like to stop spawn fishing but can"t.
As a Michigan fisherman we troll a lot the the charters from Ohio really don't & always joke about the difference. Last Spring a good part of the meeting was about how to troll etc.
I don't know of a charter from the marina that I fish out of (in Mich) that doesn't troll.
We started drifting & still like it but never to seem to have any real sucess. I appericate the info you gave me on some of your trick, will try them this spring. Nothing like being 1 on 1 with the fish all the time.
THANKS AGAIN

[StoneyPointeTom]

I would disagree with the statement that spawning fish are easier to catch. I promis you I could get my limit out in the Lake in June or July 10 times easier than in the Trenton Channel during the spawn. I spend about 4 or 5 days there every spring and very rarely ever see large numbers of fish caught even though there are 300 to 400 boats.

Some of the RCL walleye pro's could not get 5 in there boats last week during an 8 hour day! These are pro's with the best fishing equipment money can buy. The majority of the anglers down there are in little tin boats floating around at the mercy of the current and wind. I do not think they make any impact on the fish as compared to the summer season with 1,000's of boats out of dozens of harbors going after them. Heck on good summer days a lot of charter boats can pull as many as 72 or more fish per 2 trip day. I would think that the summer charter season puts a bigger dent in the population than the small number of spawn time fisherman.

Walleyes are a renewable resource that has to be shared by all who pursue them. If you close down the Maume you have eliminated the angler that wades for walleyes and does not own a boat. If you close down the Detroit River you have eliminated the guy that owns a 12' AL boat with a small outboard. If you eliminate charter fishing you would exclude anyone that does not own a boat from the chance to pursue summer walleyes. Let the profesionals determine whats right and we can all share the resource in different ways and at different times of the seasons!

[fishhunter]

the oahe only lisence is only 20 dollars for the year and you can keep 10 eyes per day

[John Wayne]

I fish Mosquito lake alot in Ohio. I fish durning the spawn and I believe it okay in that lake. Mosquito lake have virtually no natural reproduction, so it don't hurt to fish during the spawn there.

John Wayne

[eyeamdaman]

I think it is okay to fish during the spawning period as long as you release the fish that need to be released. Just carry a camera in your tackle bag and take pics of the big ones!
Closing the season isn't bad either. It gives us a chance to clean the yard, paint the house, and do all of the other things to make the wife happy!!!!!
Good fishing!

[fishnerie]

Fishing during spawn is some of the best fishing! But my theory is if it isnt bigger than the one on the wall, and has layed eggs, release her!

[flyman]

I totally agree with you. Leave it up to the professionals. I was just citing some ideas they have implemented (as opposed to a closed season) when they deemed it necessary for the health of fisheries.

As for closing down an area, I was thinking of lakes where there is so little spawning habitat that an inordinant # of fish get concentrated in a small area. It is another option to a completely closed season, which allows no one to fish. Trough Creek on Lake Raystown comes to mind. I've been told that people aren't even allowed to fish for other species in there while the walleyes are spawning.

As for them being easier to catch, that may be debateable and probably depends on each body of water. I've fished on water where it was, and water where it wasn't.

[StoneyPointeTom]

You are right that every area is different. My experience is on the Western Basin of Lake Erie. Catching the big fish in the spring is fun and sometimes downright awesome. But if you are fishing for the freezer I personnaly believe the fish taste better when harvested in June or July regardless of size. They are trimmed down and do not have as much body fat and have not just went through the stresses of spawning.

I had a fish fry one year in July. I unthawed a couple of jacks that were caught in the Maume in early April. I also unthawed a few jacks we caught in June out in Lake Erie. The early spring fish were a little fishy tasting as compared to the summer caught fish. They were all 16 to 19 inches in length. So now I personnaly wait until the end of May, June and July to catch Walleyes for the frying pan.

[Spanky]

My question isn't really the size as much as when they are fished
I would think by fishing for them while the are spawning it would effect the spawn spook them etc.
That is what I wounder

[stevefellegy]

Good question...in an age of micro fish and game managment all over the continent. Fishery managment, it seems, wonders off the beaten path at times based on general fish and game conservation. If for no other good reasoning, walleyes, like most game, should be left alone during the spawn. That simply is common sense....one would assume. BUT.....not only are walleyes allowed to be targeted by anglers during the spawn in such states as the Dakota's, but your wonderful federal government sits back and allows "native, 'sovereign' americans" to put miles of gill nets out in Mille Lacs, directly during the spawn, baracading the walleyes from reaching the rocks they are heading for to lay eggs, while the 'sovereign' "native american" white and all other colored anglers, have a closed season, out of respect for the spawning walleyes.
Chew on them apples for a while.....looking out from my deck, knowing the nets will appear in 3 weeks, I just couldn't resist this comeback.