dead fish

Fished this morning out of Akaska. We ran about two miles south. The fishing was great, but the wind was kicking up, so the wife talked me into heading in about 10:00. The ride in was slow and rough. We noticed something odd. There were dead Walley everywhere. We saw many all the way back to Swan Creek. Just a guess, but perhaps the AIM format of catch and record and release doesnt work so well when the water is 77 deg. We fished sat. about 200 yards up from one of the AIM anglers, and noticed him trying to revive several fish when he put them back. When he left, we dipped two floaters from where he was fishing. (just couldnt see them going to waste). Perhaps AIM should let the anglers put those fish that are not going to make it the their boat to be cleaned and donated. Just a thought.

Yes thats called delayed mortality
and in warm water the% can be very high
Thats why some hot water tournys are no cull
If people are pounding fish in warm deep water and fishing fast for the check there more than likley
killing more than a regular tournament.

I KNOW I"M GOING TO GET ROASTED FOR THAT COMMENT
But Thats the facts

Thats happens all over the place. They die. And thats sad. So my advise. Do allow these tournaments in hot weather. PERIOD.. I hate killing fish.

[Raybob]

Originally Posted by deadI

Fished this morning out of Akaska. We ran about two miles south. The fishing was great, but the wind was kicking up, so the wife talked me into heading in about 10:00. The ride in was slow and rough. We noticed something odd. There were dead Walley everywhere. We saw many all the way back to Swan Creek. Just a guess, but perhaps the AIM format of catch and record and release doesnt work so well when the water is 77 deg. We fished sat. about 200 yards up from one of the AIM anglers, and noticed him trying to revive several fish when he put them back. When he left, we dipped two floaters from where he was fishing. (just couldnt see them going to waste). Perhaps AIM should let the anglers put those fish that are not going to make it the their boat to be cleaned and donated. Just a thought.

What is aim's dead fish penalty, is their one? Did the Co report the pro? Why do they weigh the top 7 instead of 5 & then only w/a photo & Co's word?

Because of the format, angles will catch and fish all day. The "weigh best 7" comes from all day recording the fish caught and let go. No fish are brought to the scales. I have questioned this format for the exact reason you bring up as deep water shock ( temp and depth) will impact far and away more fish than a catch keep.
It limits the fish contacted and therefore fishery impact.
Also more time and effort is spent to keep fish in the well alive than catching ,record, release!
Maybe Alaska and others should consider that in the future when consodering this format

What's your agenda?
You went 2 miles down stream and blame the dead fish on AIM?
Didn't you hear that the majority of anglers were 10 to 20 miles below where you were fishing?
Did you see any other local anglers?
Did you know that most of the fish were being caught on cranks at depths of 10 feet or less - and virtually none were being caught deep?
Better get your facts straight before you make a blanket accusation that all or any of the dead fish you saw were attributed to the AIM Pros.
Also, there were 52 boats that caught more than 30 fish per day (on average) = 1500 per day for the first two days, plus another 500 or more on the third day. How many dead fish did you see? Something far less than 3500 I would guess.
Would you rather have a tournament where 650 walleyes were killed? Because that's the only alternative offered by SD Game and Fish.
What is an acceptable mortality? Zero? 5, 10, 50 fish out of a body of water that holds millions?
By the way, what do you do with a dead fish over the 20" slot when YOU are out fishing and already have YOUR one allowed "over"?
PS. For the information of the casual reader and/or the anti-AIM crowd: there is a very vocal faction that is actively trying to sabotage any success by the SD Walleye Classic in Akaska - including jealous parties in Pierre. The SD Game and Fish has already denied a permit to AIM for next summer's closed period.

[Raybob]

Originally Posted by SDwiththe facts

The SD Game and Fish has already denied a permit to AIM for next summer's closed period.

-closed period ...Something good came out of this summers heat

[stevefellegy]

Originally Posted by its the format

Because of the format, angles will catch and fish all day. The "weigh best 7" comes from all day recording the fish caught and let go. No fish are brought to the scales. I have questioned this format for the exact reason you bring up as deep water shock ( temp and depth) will impact far and away more fish than a catch keep.
It limits the fish contacted and therefore fishery impact.
Also more time and effort is spent to keep fish in the well alive than catching ,record, release!
Maybe Alaska and others should consider that in the future when consodering this format

Why are tournament anglers the ones that are singled out? Why is it always a dead fish was killed by a tourney angler?

Do the "locals' and tourists quit fishing when they get their two "overs" in the boat? Or do they release them--even in warm water? How does one know enough to blame anyone for a dead fish, if it was caught by another boat in the area? Maybe the dead fish came from a boat mile up wind?

Bottom line, whether a fish is filleted by a local or tourist, or strained /killed by a tourney angler--be it from AIM or a another event, it's dead! Fish are gonna die. That's what they are there for......most get eaten and some die due to GENERAL angler pressures, the conditions and natural causes.

I recall a guy coming up to me all bent out of shape while I was in a weigh-in line years back. He proclaimed we were killing all these fish and ruining "his" lake. I asked him what he would rather have me doing. Fishing the tourney, only killing the 6 I had in my bag or go out with my family or guiding clients and bring in the limit for 3-4 anglers? End of discussion.

In the end, we all kill fish. Tourney anglers have taught the world to fish better. So if there is a negative from tourney angling, it is the fishing pressure now created by the general fishing public, not directly, the tournament guys. More fish are killed by the general public these days because of the tournament guys teaching the rest how to fish and where to fish. Who will say that's a bad thing? The anglers at the fish cleaning house?

Now back to biting my fat lip LOL.

Good post. But my question is. How many dead fish in your many years of fishing have you yourself brought to the scale to be weighed. Or any other top pro. My guess. zip.. maybe one a year. Why because you look after them even in warm water. A fish will show signs of delayed mortallity with in 30 seconds of been out of the water. by the time you catch weigh and measure your already in trouble. These boats we have could save them weight attched and pump the water to them. Thats why they survive. But you can not deal with the Temp. Its the main killer. period. And you Steve I am sure know that.As do all of US. I know there are tournaments that catch and Kill. Because they know the fish are going to die. All these people are asking for are to respect the fish. Even AIM will be in trouble it this continues. Looks like they were denied a permit already. Good luck but be realistic as well. I like the format dont get me wrong but play by the water temp rule as well.

[stevefellegy]

Originally Posted by Question

Good post. But my question is. How many dead fish in your many years of fishing have you yourself brought to the scale to be weighed. Or any other top pro. My guess. zip.. maybe one a year. Why because you look after them even in warm water. A fish will show signs of delayed mortallity with in 30 seconds of been out of the water. by the time you catch weigh and measure your already in trouble. These boats we have could save them weight attched and pump the water to them. Thats why they survive. But you can not deal with the Temp. Its the main killer. period. And you Steve I am sure know that.As do all of US. I know there are tournaments that catch and Kill. Because they know the fish are going to die. All these people are asking for are to respect the fish. Even AIM will be in trouble it this continues. Looks like they were denied a permit already. Good luck but be realistic as well. I like the format dont get me wrong but play by the water temp rule as well.

but my point is that, according to DNR stats(as an example in Mn.), walleye tournies, added up from ALL levels of events, are less than 1 percent of the harvest/kill. Even on a lake like Lake Mile Lacs, where there are events all summer long, each weekend.

If we are gonna scrutinize the tourney guys during warm water periods and actually say you can't fish, then let's surely look at the rest of the angling public the same way--if not harder, since they contribute to 99 percent of the harvest/kill. Be it at the fillet table or catch and release of the "overs", everyday they fish, during warm water periods as well.

Simply, the concern, be it well intended by all, of dead fish via any catch and release method, period of time or various levels/groups of anglers, is way over blown. (I'm done on this now)