few fish on miss. river this winter

what is with the walleyes this winter on the miss. river ? no one up here(pool20,21,22) is catching any amount of fish at all-even the old diehards. this fishmoved up to the locks in early october but after that it steadily got worse instead of better. is it like this up river in the other pools ?

I agree that many large fish moved up to dam in October and then seemed to almost disappear. After
discussing it with our local fisheries biologist (who by the way knows the Hogs by name)and every fisherman I could find to talk to the majority of
the fish never left what we would call backwater sloughs. Then they circle our for a few days and then go back. Why? a massive 1-2 year old population of dinner size fish, and the extemely low water levels. The fish just haven't had the
need to venture far. Instead of coming to our sundown hog holes every night now we maybe see them once a week. Mild winters also have played a part(or shall I say falls). Hardcore Great lake
and fall bay fisherman repeatedly said this fall in many forums that the yearly patterns are about 30-45 days behind. For 3 years my best fishing has been February and first week a of March. The
8-10 years before that it was late march and early april. I think early ice out had a lot to do with it. Sorry I wrote a book but local fisherman have been talking about this steady for about a year and a half.

I've noticed the same problem in pools 18 & 19. We went farther north & found fish, but not many over 1 1/2 lbs. I think maybe a combination of things together are making this happen. Zebra mudcles/clearer water, low water,rollercoaster barometer, and increased fishing pressure. I truly hope it's all of the former and not the latter. I have to drive at least 1 hour to get there but have talked to or seen locals that have pulled a lot of fish and not thrown many back. I am concerned that the limits are to leaniant to maintain a healthy population When the "BITE" is on its nothing for 3 guys in a boat to times 10 to 50 boats to do a lot of damage to the population. I love what Mill Lacs lake have went to. It's tough to throw back a 7 1/2 lb fish but nice to know the next time somebody catches him he will probably 8 or bigger. It really helps to maintain a big fish system. Besides steak tastes better, and who wants to clean fish anyway. Just an opinion. Does anyone else have an idea on the subject? See you on the water. wallynut

[phil]

Icaught fish early tied to the wall at bellvue
at night but only small ones this winyer in
deep water

[phil]

Icaught fish early tied to the wall at bellvue
at night but only small ones this winter in
deep water

I have fished ole miss for qute a while ,and
i agree partially. the big walleyes are not
good to eat any way the 15 inch limit is good
for the walleye population but the saugers
are so prolific they seem to be holding thier
own. last time out at bellview we caught and
released alot of 8 tto 10 inch fish.
but I agree it's amazing when you see 20 to 50
boats up there all the time, and there is still
good fishing to be had
trying different rigs until I find what they want
seems to be my key AND ASKING WHATS HOT Phil

FISHED LOCK AND DAM 20 AT CANTON 5 TIMES THIS YEAR HAVE NEVER SEEN FISHING WORSE. I THINK BECAUSE OF THE LOW WATER, THE FISH ARE NOT MOVING UPRIVER. EVEN ON MY X-85. I DO NOT MARK MANY FISH, IN THE EDDIES OR THE HOLES. LAST YEAR WE CAUGHT LOTS OF SMALL FISH SO I KNOW THEY SHOULD BE THERE?