Bay of Green Bay Proposed Regulations

[Glen Bunnell]

I am working on a research paper for the reulations on the Bay of Green Bay and am looking for some feedback from fisherman to this topic. I am looking for all type of feedback, goood or bad. Thank you in advance for your responses.

[ibfishn]

I like the regulations, they seem to be working good. Would'nt change a thing.

[Plumberboy]

How about making the restrictions on SM bass a little more. Lower the possesion limit and increase the length limit to keep everyone from taking 5 fish home with them. How about making it a trophy fishery most of the year and a shorter season for the meat hunters. Kind of like Cheqaumagon Bay.

[mjwchart]

LAST EDITED ON Mar-30-00 AT 09:28AM (CST)[p]
For bass there should be a lower bag limit and higher size limit, maybe a slot.

With the lack of perch for the table more and more people are taking the smallmouth home for a meal.

Also, regarding the perch drop the limits way down and get rid of spear fishing for perch. We have a place near Egg Harbor and several time each summer guys that are moored at the marina snorkel around the docks spearing perch.

Also, make sure to monitor all tournaments closely to see if they are having any impact.


One last thing, and that is all species (except carp) should be protected during spawning and while on the nests.

[Steve W.]

I would like to see a slot limit on walleyes much like Little Bay, 5 fish, only one of which can be over 23". This fishery is receiving more pressure each year and those big fish need to be protected so that we can enjoy them for lots more years.

I know that this won't be popular with a lot of tournament fishermen, but I'm sure most can understand the necessity of it. I fish tournaments each year on the Bay, so I'm certainly not anti-tournament, but I'd sure like to take my kids there to catch a big one someday.

Steve W.

[Roscoe]

I believe there is a definite need for lowering of the smallmouth bass limit on the bay. Since the improvement of the bass population, a tremendous number of people are coming in to fish them. Last year I say a ton of guys bringing home a limit of 18-21 inchers, the fish that need to stay in the system. As far as walleye, decrease the limit, and have some protection during spawning. Lets not let these two species go the way of the yellow perch.

[Capt. Doug Schreiber, Hot Jigs Guide & Charter Ser]

The few seasons I have seen an alarming amount of smallmouth harvested at an alarming rate. Most of these fish are taken frm their beds and are spawing size fish. This is happening for a number of reasons. One the are easy the catch. Two the people who are doing these aren't good enough perch fisherman, so they now have switched to raping the smallmouths. Three, the local DNR biologist don't beleive that this is a problem, so they are not willing to address this. I would not be against seeing regualation similar to those on Chequamagon Bay. At least they should reduce the bag limit and have a greater presence of law enforcement during the earlier part of the season. This is when most of the damage is being done. As far as raising the size limits, I'm afraid that all that would be accomplished would be to force these harvsters into taking the next size bigger fish. That was the result when they last raised the size limits. As far as walleyes are concerned, yopu already have pretty stricted limits there already. The biggest problem for both walleye and smallmouth are the double dipping of limits and the lack of enforcement personel. If you need any more just e-mail me. Thanks for letting me vent, Doug

[Bob G.]

As those above, I also voice concern about the smallmouth limits and season. I agree that the limit of fish can used to be reduced, the season for harvest should be opened well after the fish are off the beds and a slot limit imposed.

Sometimes local businesses argue that this will reduce business into the area. In reply, look what the reg changes did for Chequamogan Bay.

[Popia]

I would like to see a 1 fish over 28" limit for walleyes on Green Bay during the spawing season (similar to the Fox river at Depere). I have seen people keeping too many big fish the last few years.

[John]

Glen

What are the proposed regulations on Green Bay? How do they differ from the current regulations? I for one would like to see the bag limit for smallmouth reduced to 3 fish and the minimum size increased to 18 inches. I am tired of seeing fisherman take spawning smallmouth from their beds. I believe that practice only hurts the smallmouth fisherery. It would be nice if the DNR would only allow catch and release of smallmouth until the middle of June.