RickyP52
01-12-2001, 07:26 AM
LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-01 AT 10:16AM (CST)[p]LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-01 AT 10:15*AM (CST)
LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-01 AT 10:14*AM (CST)
I am new to this website and I think it provides a great service to walleye fishermen. After having read many earlier posts expressing concern about the falling walleye population in Lake Erie, I would like to discuss the practice of allowing fishing during the walleye spawn. Since my experience with this type of fishing has been limited to the Maumee River (primarily the Buttonwood/Side Cut park area)over the last 6-7 years, my comments will relate to what I have observed while fishing there.
I would guess that at least 50% of the fish that are harvested form this area of the Maumee every year are snagged (the figure could be much higher). If you've fished there I think you would agree with that statement. And a great many of those snagged fish are large females. I would venture to say that 90-95% of the large female walleye you see on stringers were snagged. In my 6-7 years of fishing there I have seen only one large female walleye kept that was fair hooked, and I have never caught one legally myself (and I have never kept an illegal fish).
While the Ohio DNR does watch things very carefully, it seems their only interest is in making the apprehension of snaggers a money making proposition. Snaggers who have been caught are right back on the river 1/2 hour after paying their fine and it's business as usual.
Given the drop in walleye numbers in the last few years, I think something needs to be done (I don't know if dropping the limit to 4 is enough). Steps that could be taken would be:
1. A total ban on fishing during the spawn.
2. Allow fishing, but make the fines for snagging so severe that it is not worth the risk.
3. Possibly outlaw the use of leadhead jigs and allow only floating jig heads, which leads to fewer snagged fish. Since I started using "floaters" about 3 years ago, I don't snag nearly as many fish, and I have caught more legally.
I know this is probably a controversial subject, but I hope it can be discussed and debated in an intelligent manner. It is not my intention to start a war. Your comments are appreciated.
LAST EDITED ON Jan-12-01 AT 10:14*AM (CST)
I am new to this website and I think it provides a great service to walleye fishermen. After having read many earlier posts expressing concern about the falling walleye population in Lake Erie, I would like to discuss the practice of allowing fishing during the walleye spawn. Since my experience with this type of fishing has been limited to the Maumee River (primarily the Buttonwood/Side Cut park area)over the last 6-7 years, my comments will relate to what I have observed while fishing there.
I would guess that at least 50% of the fish that are harvested form this area of the Maumee every year are snagged (the figure could be much higher). If you've fished there I think you would agree with that statement. And a great many of those snagged fish are large females. I would venture to say that 90-95% of the large female walleye you see on stringers were snagged. In my 6-7 years of fishing there I have seen only one large female walleye kept that was fair hooked, and I have never caught one legally myself (and I have never kept an illegal fish).
While the Ohio DNR does watch things very carefully, it seems their only interest is in making the apprehension of snaggers a money making proposition. Snaggers who have been caught are right back on the river 1/2 hour after paying their fine and it's business as usual.
Given the drop in walleye numbers in the last few years, I think something needs to be done (I don't know if dropping the limit to 4 is enough). Steps that could be taken would be:
1. A total ban on fishing during the spawn.
2. Allow fishing, but make the fines for snagging so severe that it is not worth the risk.
3. Possibly outlaw the use of leadhead jigs and allow only floating jig heads, which leads to fewer snagged fish. Since I started using "floaters" about 3 years ago, I don't snag nearly as many fish, and I have caught more legally.
I know this is probably a controversial subject, but I hope it can be discussed and debated in an intelligent manner. It is not my intention to start a war. Your comments are appreciated.