Slot limit on Winnebago

[Uphill]

Just would like to see what you guys think about the chance of getting a slot limit on Winnebago? Fishing sure has gone down hill. Also maybe no fish over 16 inchs until after May 1st?

[Doc_wi]

Low water, HUGE amounts of bait fish in the system and a bio-mass of Walleye dominated by the 1996 year class are more the reason then anything. The fish that the first size limit protected in 1990 and 1991 are the bigger fish we are catching now. Due to drought situations in the late 80's, there are very few of the older fish. (Although I got on a group of those fish 3 or 4 times this year) The low water and availability of food has kept a large number of fish in the Wolf River system and upper lakes the entire year. Bruchs & Kampke from the DNR have said that no measures are in order at this time. I personally would like to see a 1 fish over 23" limit on the entire system for the entire year, not just limit the spring fishing. The abundance of food is more of a factor then you think. It's not from a lack of fish in the system.

Doc

[BD]

I agree with Doc. Slot limits such as "no fish between 18 and 24 inches" lead to the forced release of fish that are not going to make it. I believe an only "one fish over 23 inches" or similar law, inforced all year, is the way to go.

"An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home." --- Irish saying

[Glen Bunnell]

Being one that has lived on the Wolf River all my life, I think a slot limit is important, but it should be no females between the lengths of 17-24". These are the prime breeding females and are the most likely to survive. Problem is, people love to abuse the system and take home many more fish than their legal limit. If people only took home what they intended to eat, the population of walleyes would remain high. Don't forget that it is also the DNR that goes into the spawning grounds in the spring and shocks the females and removes their eggs for transplant to other places. If you don't believe me, let me know and I will send you pictures from this spring from when the shock boats are in Shiocton

Glen Bunnell

[Steve W.]

Glen, what's wrong with the DNR removing eggs from these fish to stock other waters? I've lived near and fished the Wolf my entire life also, but I also fish other waters, some of which have their fishery sustained through the DNR's stocking efforts. I don't mean you any disrespect, I'm just curious if I've misinterpretted your post, or if I'm missing out on something.

Steve W.

[Mike]

Doc don,t sh#t yourself . It,s much more than to much feed.First of all you have the spring run hogs.You know the guys that stand on the bridge all night. Guys think their heros because they caught 3 times their limit .Same guys can,t catch squat in summer. The season needs to be closed in spring . Let em catch whitebass. Secondly slot limits work. Third the DNR needs to listen to the guys that realy spend the time on the water .Look at into the stomach of some of the eye's you catch in the mud, when your electronics are black with bait fish. Not stuffed full like you might think. There is no way anyway near the numbers the DNR says .Heck they can't even count deer that you can see or could see if they were there.

[Marken]

Personally, I don't agree with slot limits on this system. Not many people catch walleye over 23" anyways.
If one thing would help, it would be shutting down the walleye fishing from March 1st to May 1st. Hope for high water in the marshes and let the fish do their thing.

[Glen Bunnell]

Steve..
I am not saying that it is a problem, but I think people need to know all the facts. If they are concerned that not enough people are catching big fish and want to create a walleye system of big walleyes, then the slot limit of 1 over 23" will work. The whole problem can be solved by responsible angling. People take home what they can eat and there will not be a problem. People also need to stay out of the spawning grounds of the walleyes. I think the DNR should utilize other fisheries such as the wolf river to help increase the walleye population in other lakes. Where I draw the line is I don't believe that this should be done on the lakes that the native americans are allowed to spear walleyes on. I know that may not be a popular opinion and I apologize if I offend anyone, but I have personnal seen teh abuse of the system, probably by a select few, but where numerous walleyes are found in dumpsters up north, or people who say they do just because they can. I do not have a problem with the native americans if they use the fish that they spear, but I do have a problem with the ones who do it just because they can and do not even use the fish that are speared.

Glen Bunnell

Glen Bunnell

[Glen Bunnell]

Marken, Can you explain how it would help the fish if fishing were shut down from MArch 1 to May1? Looking for explanation,not intended to be a slam or anything.

Glen Bunnell

[BD]

Mike;
Years ago I came to the conclusion that the season should be closed in the spring to protect the fishery. But closing the season will mean lost revenue to business and the possibility of lower property values. All this means lower tax revenues so it ain't going to happen.
Both slot and trophy (only one fish over X inches) methods work to improve fisheries. I have fished both kinds of waters. My objection to slots comes from the fact that I've had to release slot size fish that were to badly hooked to survive. I troll cranks 99% of the time and fish will inhale a crank!
These guys on the bridge with three times the limit; have you reported them? With todays cellphones you could call the DNR and give the wardens a hand in busting these guys. Maybe after loosing their fish, gear, vehicle and fishing rights they will stop violating.
Please lets agree to disagree in a manner that shows respect for others.

"An angler is a man who spends rainy days sitting around on the muddy banks of
rivers doing nothing because his wife won't let him do it at home." --- Irish saying

[Doc_wi]

Having complete and in-depth information on the fishery from the DNR is how I developed my positon on this, it's not just my opinion. Secondly, your "fish stories" about the number of fish killed on the bridge (is that the Winneconne bridge?) are greatly exaggerated and closing the spring fishing is not needed for any reason. Low water, zebra mussles and the number of bait fish have been more of a factor then you obviously are aware of. The DNR needs to keep up the good work and NOT listen to one sided "for me" attitudes by those with only THIER OWN best interest in mind. Better managment and cooperation in catching violators is a major part of the key.

Your name calling speaks volumes for your position.

Doc

[Ron F]

There should never be a problem with low water, we have dams to regulate the water levels. The problem is we have the wrong people in control of those dams. If the Wis. DNR ever gets control of them you will never see a low water problem in spring.

[Marken]

My point Glen is that the Wolf/Fox has probably the highest concentration of fisherman during the spring run. Quite a few of the bigger females never make it to the spawning marshes, instead they end up in the livewells.
Putting a slot limit on would be a help to a point, but how in the world could you enforce it. Can you imagine how many illegal fish are taken now? The only way the fish population will increase is to let the fish spawn. And the only way that will happen, in my opinion, is if you shut it down for a couple months.
But one thing I have noticed the last couple of years is more fish are spawning in the main lake. I caught quite a few last May that were still full of spawn along the east shore.

[xyz]

Doc, Sounds like your one of the triple dippers fromthe bridge. Must be taking nice about the DNR to protet your a$$ . I think Mike was right , they count walleyes the way they count whitetails . With guys like you and that dumb a$$ outdoor wisconsin guy patting them on the back . Pretty soon they will want us to buy a walleye stamp . It will be good for a few walleye and all the sheephead you can get in your boat. Keep on believing them DOC . They have been mismanaging wisconsin's resources for to long.

[Lund_Dude]

XYZ:

Buddy, you are wayyyy off base. If you knew Doc, you would know what a class act he is. It is obvious that he has spent the effort to converse with biologist and the DNR to understand the Winnebago/river system. Have you? He makes his living on the river and it would be foolish for him to be a "triple dipper". If you disagree with him that is one thing, but the personal attacks are certainly not warranted!

[Country guy.]

To XYZ,
There's no reson to resort to name calling and personal attacks on "Doc." Your own opinions seem to be based on something other than reasoned, thoughtful and intelligent considerations. Knock it off.