should S.D. suspend walleye fishing?

[fishandhunt1]

Minnesota suspends walleye fishing during spawning,do you think SD should follow suit? I think it would increase the quality of our walleye fishing in the state overall.What do you think?

[oos]

possibly, but at $61 for a non-resident license the state couldn't handle the lost revenue.

[Walleye Supporter]

All parties must quit thinking about the DOLLARS-- FISHING GUIDES, FISHING TOURNAMENTS, G.F.& P. And local fishereman. It has a big impact on fishing reproduction. Guides who use the river for an income are making a killing off the walleye factory.

[djn]

They should not suspend walleye fishing completely but they could make it catch and release only or lower the limits and have size restrictions to better protect the females.

[Flip South Dakota]

First out the state won't lose the $61.00 in the license fee's. Those folks will still fish in South Dakota after the spawn run. Second the state needs to quit planting non native fish in the river!!! That's where all of the forage fish are going. I find it hard to believe that by raising the limits, the way they did, your going to improve the quality of the fish caught on the upper part of the river.

I really feel that at the rate it's going out here, it won't be long before we'll all be heading to Minnesota, Iowa, or North Dakota because all you'll catch here will be carp.

[James]

Our state's fisheries biologist said that more quality walleyes are caught on Memorial Day weekend here in Nebraska that during the spawn. However, due to the poor reproduction that happens here, most of the walleyes in the lakes are stocked. I know that Lake Oahe is self sustaining, but I believe the biologists have the most information, and have the best interest of the fish populations at heart, so let them do their work and decide what is best.

[Flip South Dakota]

James' I agree with your statement,, but why do all the other states and Canada close there seasons during the normal spawn runs?

[Eyez]

I think that's a good question. I'd like to know the answer to that one too, why other states close and SD doesn't. I had always thought that it had something to do with the number of lakes here that are self sustaining, but with the high water now, many lakes that weren't previously, are now. I don't necessarily want to see it closed during spawn, but i would like to see some different regulations during the month of april when the fish are shallow, concentrated and easy to catch. Something very restrictive like a 2 fish limit, nothing over 18 inches and a 14 minimum. That may not be realistic, but it's a thought. Oahe is a different story all together.


Eyez

[JonM]

With SD's low population and fairly tight slot limits, I don't think there's a huge danger of a year around season doing a lot of damage to the fisheries. There's so many good Walleye waters in SD, it would be tough to fish these out as a whole in my opinion.

[T-Mac]

I believe several studies around the country have shown that whether there is a closed season in the spring or not, really has no effect on the overall population where walleyes are concerned. (A fish out of the lake, is a fish out of the lake, no matter when caught.)
Slot limits have proven to be a more effective way of protecting the spawning size fish.
Good sportsmanship does more to protect a fishery than laws do.

Just my 2 cents.

[The truth as I perceive it]

1. An overwhelming majority of biological studies prove spawn fishing does NOT degrade fisheries for walleye. Fish generally produce more than adequate fertilized eggs, but it comes down to favorable conditions, water levels, recruitment, habitat, reasonable adult fishing restrictions, and pressure.

2. Spawn fishing, or seasonal restrictions, are usually, if not always put in place for "culture" reasons. That is a local area wants snagging during spawn stopped (which is very common on reservoir rock-faced dams for example in the midwest) or in the case of Minnesota and Canada, many of the resorts want to "compress" the open season for staffing, good fishing, and other reasons.

3. Habitat Habitat Habitat improves fishing and recruitment

4. Did I mention habitat?

[Dutchman]

I know this is gonna tick some people off but I felt it has to be said. Whether your a resident or a nonresident you don't need to keep your legal limit every time your on the water. Further more those folks that follow the good bites from lake to lake (and you know who you are) don't need to keep and kill a limit every time. Does a freezer full of fish make anyone a better angler, I think not. For those who are wise and practice catch and release I thank you. For those who think they need to bring home a cooler full of fillets every time they fish, from wherever they come from, I ask you to reconsider. Nuff said...

[petlover]

Hey "the truth"-

It seems to me Canada and minnesota have more and better habitat
and their biologists support the spawn fishing ban or they wouldn't have it.Maybe thats one of the reasons why they have so much quality fishing and areas that have sufficent habitat like Lewis and Clark Lake in southeast S.D,don't have DIDDLY for trophy fish. I don't think our neighbors to the north and northeast like giving up great fishing during the spawn any more then anybody else does so there must be a reason for it.I agree with dutchman about catch and release especially during the spawn. And I don't believe the canadian fisherman would stand by and let thier government limit some of the very best fishing action without good reason.I think there must be benefits to spawn fishing bans.I would sure like to hear from minnesota and the canadian fisherman about this practice in thier areas.

[reddog]

Actually, Iowa as a whole does not close its walleye season, except for 3 lakes in the northwest corner. Spirit Lake, East Okoboji, and West Okoboji. the whole rest of the state is open to walleye harvest, and it does occur, but does not seem to affect the water that it occurs on. Speaking in terms of my locality. Silver Lake , Storm Lake, and Clear Lake all are open year round for walleyes, and give up some good fishing when conditions get right. It used to be that the reason for closing the seasons on the 3 big lakes, was not to intrude in the gillnetting that took place during the spawn. I dont think it is such a big deal anymore as they have taken up satellite netting in Storm Lake and Clear lake to satisfy their needs.

[jeff]

Your correct with the statement that spawn fishing does not have an impact on qualitiy of fisheries. the varibles you listed like weather, forage availabilty, water quality determine year class strength. our harvest practices in terms of over-all numbers determine final fishing quality.

fishing seasons in the "tradittional" fishing areas were started in the '20, '30 and '40s when man first started to significantly impact nearly virgin waters. the spawn was a time of easy access for all anglers and during that age when subsistience angling was very important to many and harvest regulations were liberal.... overharvest would occur. since then we have learned that it was not that fact that the harvest had occured during the spawn but that the harvest had OCCURED as the cause of loss of fishing quality.

during this interim period an interesting commerical benefit of seasons became apparent. the reason for continued seasons in places like minn. and canada is the result of commerical lobbying. resorts owners like the compact season....they realize that most anglers have a finite amount to spend during the year.... and reason that they can get it by keeping seasons short....enhancing demand which allows higher charges, etc.

related industries like boat dealers, equipment vendors, etc.....like the psychological impact of the opener. it creates an urgent need, time wise, during which consumers feel compeled to purchase. the majority of anglers still only fish a few times per year..... it is surprising how many of these people have $20K rigs. when do ya think they made the purchase decision??

bait shop owners are the only segment of the industry who are consistantly in support of no seasons.....they are open anyway for the panfish business.

I am curious what impact, new fishing areas in the dakota's, nebr. and iowa have had on minn. and canada the last 10, 20 years. If the industry in minn. has not felt the impact it is only because the growth in angling numbers has exceeded the lost business. that growth will eventually flatten out and resort owners in closed areas will realize that many of those finite dollars are being spent in other states before the opener. In the meantime the local economies in the dakota's will continue to reap the benefits of this flawed policy.

[fishandhunt1]

Jeff:
I don't buy it. If the commercial lobbying and resort owners is the reason the walleye season closes during spawn in Minn. and Canada, why not have seasons open during spawn? A couple of weeks isnt going to make a big difference for the resort owners. People are still going to spend their money for equipment. If people fish during spawn and catch more, it will keep them coming back for more. I think there is other reasons the season is closed for the spawn, I dont think you have to be a rocket scientist to figure that out. I am very much in favor of getting a petition started to have South Dakota walleye season closed for spawn or some very strict laws for the spawning time. I really like the suggestions that Eyez mentioned on a 2 fish limit, nothing over 18 inches, and a
14 inch minimum. And..Oahe IS a very different story all together. Lets hear from some Minnesota people on this issue...
Peace has spoken*

[spartopolis]

Really want to improve fishing? Have a closed season from June 1 to august 31.

[Fishandhunt1]

Spartopolis:
That sounds like a very intelligent move doesn't it?! You're apparently one of those people who fish the spawn and kill all of the 5 and 6 pound female walleyes full of eggs. Sounds like you are one of those guys who fill their freezer during spawn time and are not smart enough to catch fish any other time of the year.

[SD=Republicans]

It's South Dakota, who cares!!!

[Bo Fisher]

YES! For residents of any state who have a closed season when ours is open. It's only fair. It's similar to reciprocity in tuition at college.

For example: I can't go to Mille Lacs until May 12th and keep walleyes. So a Minnesota resident shouldn't be able to come here and keep walleyes until May 12th. Fair is Fair.

Bo Fisher
South Dakotan

[jeff]

I wouldn't be in favor of a closed season during spawn....unless there was biological jsutification. and I've never read or heard of a fishers biologist with reserach that would support that..at least pertaining to walleyes. nesting fish such as bass could be a different story....espically in smaller, pressured waters.

I would agree with total catch and release during spawn, summer, winter, fall etc. if that is what it will take to stop this insane harvest mentality. problem is, people rate their fishing success with different criteria. some like us, gage success by how many and the size of the fish we release each day. many more gage success by how many limits they harvest, day after day. we need to change that somehow.

what we need is total site specific regulations with some waters managed for sustained harvest and others managed for trophy or high population. and fisheries biologist would need to be enpowered to alter regulations as needed...including suspending harvest midway throuh season if harvest cielings are reached. this is often discussed in many states including here in Iowa. Once again, commerical interest has objected strongly to this concept as have, ironically, DNR enforcement administrators, who fear a PR nightmare with the myraid of regulations needed. Unfortunately, in many DNR administrations / commissions, enforcement people and commercial interest have greater weight in the management of fisheries than the biologist.

[jeff]

oh yes,,,,in response to your resort / having the season open a couple weeks early question. the point that the resort owners made in minn. in the mid 80's when that was considered was time issues. specifically, it takes a typical resort 3-4 weeks of work before opening. the remote resorts even have a difficult time accessisng thier properties in mid april let alone late march (snow).....also water lines are frozen until the 1st of may some years. in fact, I have visited resorts for the opener when the waterlines to cabins coming from the main well were still froze. the opener is a big weekend for them.....all are booked. then business is slower until memorial day weekend. they want that big weekend opener and don't want it in late april when the ice might still be on part of the lake. And if you don't think that commerical interest have a huge impact on our fisheries decisions you are a little naive. maybe not in dakota as much as other states because the industry in dakota is relatively young yet....in industry life cycle terms at least.

[Hawgeye]

All due respect Flip, I fish North Dakota and Minnesota and would fish South Dakota but at $61 and minimum 1 1/2 hour drive with a gas guzzling Tahoe, I elect to not buy a license there. It may sound trivial but if it was in the $40 something range, I would be more likely to make the trip and pay the fee. I know it is trivial but SD seems to have market on overcharging non-residents. I used to pheasant hunt there too but quit that as well. $100+ for 2 5 day periods?!!! Sorry, there is very good pheasant hunting in ND and I can make an extra trip hunting for the license savings. ND hotels like my money as well.

[Crew]

At some point we need to begin protecting ourselves as well as the fishery. I don't hunt SD pheasants anyomre because of the license fee and short season, I don't fish SD because of the same reasons. Is SD protecting their fishery, yes and am I protecting the fishery, yes. I'm also not participating in an activity I really enjoy. Sure it's my choice , but circustances out of my control brought me to this point. Where's the answer? Thanks for all of your opinions.

[MrDucks]

A killing on the walleyes? You must be fishing with other guides than I know--these guys work their tails off for very little money in my book!

[Black Cherry]

Hawgeye:
Why would you fish SD, when you have better quality fishing in ND? As far as the License fee, I am sure your wages have a higher percentage increase the last 5 years as compared to SD's license fees. Open your eyes this is 2001, we arent in the 50's anymore. Sounds like you should stay in ND with your gas guzzling Tahoe to me! Have a nice day at the gas pump!!

[Black Cherry]

Hawgeye:
Why would you fish SD, when you have better quality fishing in ND? As far as the License fee, I am sure your wages have a higher percentage increase the last 5 years as compared to SD's license fees. Open your eyes this is 2001, we arent in the 50's anymore. Sounds like you should stay in ND with your gas guzzling Tahoe to me! Have a nice day at the gas pump!!

[Skis]

LAST EDITED ON May-11-01 AT 12:39PM (CST)[p]I've read the posts so far. I think the true statement of a true fishermen would be that if he/she caught a female full of eggs before or during spawn, that fish would be back in the water without hesitation. I don't think true fishing enthusiasts need rules to abide by when it comes to this issue. Catch a spawning female, it goes back. South Dakota makes alot of money those two and sometimes three months before other states' openers. It is good for their economy and it is good for us.

[Hawgeye]

Black Cherry,

Sounds like a fair invitation to me! Don't have to tell me twice!! By the way, my wages have nothing to do with it...

[Black Cherry]

Hawgeye~
Maybe the state of SD should increase their license fees even more for non-residents,and use the extra money to replenish some of our lakes in SD with more walleyes, so we could have some decent fishing, especially in the S.E. part of SD.
Sounds like a good idea to me, since no one wants to save the spawning walleyes. Because if something doesn't happen soon
with our walleye situation, there will be no walleyes to fish. Believe me I have fished here for more than 24 years, and it has been decreasing dramatically the last 5-7 years. I mainly fish the Lewis and Clark Lake area. I hope something happens soon.
I sure want my kids and grandkids to be able to catch a walleye on Lewis and Clark Lake; can you blame me?
Have a Good one....and please release the spawning females; wherever you fish.
Black Cherry*****

[driftersifter]

In wisconsin there are a couple of lakes that are open year around and have been studied for almost 50 years to see what impact fishing year around has on the fishery. They also have some control lakes to compare with. The lakes are up in the northeast part of the state. The names of the lake study is slipping me for the moment but I think its Squirrel Lake or you really could look it up in wis Dnr lake study. I believe its the longest lake study in the country. If you really want to judge the impact of fishing during the spawn check into what spearing in wis has done to our limits. On my home lake the limit went from five fish to two and on some lake around here the limit is one. As for fillin the freezer the limit is your daily limit and possesion limit. Nobody legally can have more than thier possesion limit in thier freezer.
Just a driftersifter

[waterfowler]

Tmac,
I'm glad you said it. I was wondering if anyone realized that 28" fish taken in October will never spawn again. Once you take that fish, whether during spawn or not you just hurt the fishery, to what degree is relative to each fishery. Carry a camera and tape measure, take the pics, measure the fish and let the pigs go, Please!!! No matter what state you're fishing in.

I know the arguement is that during the spawn the fish are easier targets, but let's educate our fellow anglers. I released a 26" eye this weekend, it was the best feeling I've had in a while. I caught the fish in 27' of water so I was concerned it would make. I've never had that concern before and now it feels great!! In the past it would have pained me to release the fish I boated this weekend, it's all about education!!!

[cmb]

no from may first to april 29th (closed season)

[Flip South Dakota]

Hawgeye, this may sound trivial, but I'm really glad for you. This is truely a good deal for both of us. Just think the gas your not guzzling I'll be able to use in my Yukon. The down side to this, is that poor bar owner with the 14 childern,(shoe less) that he has to put through school. I'm sure he'll make it though, just a little more water in the drinks, that works every time.

GOOD LUCK

[Another Minnesotan]

BoF, the reason you can't go up to Mille Lacs and get those spawning walleyes before May 12 is because there has to be time allowed for some who claim to be native americans to put out their gill nets to take those spawning fish instead,RIGHT?Just like it was posted about the three lakes in Iowa closed so gillnetting can take place, Mille Lacs is no different. Gillnetting spawning fish is no big deal,just like taking them during the spawn over in South Dakota,RIGHT?A biologists findings can be tweaked to be in favor of any group, or opinion,including those that want to take spawning fish. Be careful what you believe to be the truth.

[ifishsd]

You may not be able to fish Minnesota walleyes till mid May, but there non-resident license is half the price of South Dakota. I think if non-residents have to pay $61 for a license they should be able to fish all year long. The residents of South Dakota take home 90 percent of the fish caught in the state. The only reason Minnesota closes the season is for the resort owners.