Any thoughts on how to increase the 15" 'eye honor code?

I primarily fish a lake that has a voluntary release size of 15 inches and less for walleyes. I have been noticing lately that NUMEROUS people are keeping the little cigars... Now the question is to HOW to get people to stop taking tomorrows' "keepers". I do not want to come off as ostentatious or self rightous, but really... If you want a filet that size, catch a couple perch. Any thoughts???

skz

historicly, bottem end size limits, by themselves, create a walleye population that hovers around that limit. in your situation, maybe a
'don't keep any between 16"-18"or 19" for about three years would create a good mix of year classes. anything under and over. this has worked very well on lakes that have primarily small fish because of pressure.
you lake association might get that done formally with the dnr.

peluso, shoot the puck!
the rest, set the hook!
#49

Crane Lake area of MN has a 13in. to 17in. slot limit. Those are the only ones you can keep.

[Atomic Eye]

It sounds like you want the "honor code' to be changed to a hard-wired regulation. Maybe you should discuss / petition this with the fisheries department that manages the lake? Good luck.

Atomic Eye -- "Gone Fission!" or is that "Fish-on?"

Most pitiful walleye picture I was ever involved in, 2 guy's and the limit was like 13inches 6 to limit, 12 fish 13in on one long stringer. :) Like to have a cold beer for everytime I've heard "nice perch where did you get those?" ;( Oochh.

Size limits inland are 15in in Mich, if our DNR is in need of revenue it's a no brainer on where to get.

[Jim Ordway]

From a meat stand point I agree re: the "perch" comment. But, there is always a but, would you rather have them keep some 13s or keep next years potential breeders? Or is your contention that, without the 13 limit, they would not catch/remove any? I would venture that each system has its own situation, but there is not size limit in the Winnebago system for that last few years, reproduction has been good to great and lots of baitfish. The system is thriving. Maybe giving up some 13s is not all that bad if it makes one happy.
My 2 cents,

With documented reproduction, the harvesting of smaller fish may not not be as devastating. Stocked waters with unconfirmed natural reproduction it amounts to direct subtraction with few fish ever getting a chance to spawn. Here in Oakland Co. we have a lot of walleye "masters" Stuffing their portables with 10-13 in pencils.

Crazy little buggers you do not even have to bait them! Nothing needs to be said about a dozen or so 10-13 inchers! It is a shame that more anglers do not understand the difference between conservation and exploitation. 10-13 inch walleyes what a test, bluegills put up more of a show and angle.

Jim had some interesting thoughts on the keeping of some smaller walleyes. Granted, the taking of some smaller fish may mean the larger ones will survive. Darwin sums it up best with his notion of survival of the fittest. Thing is, I have a vivid memory as a child of catching one very big walleye while fishing with my father. It would seem almost tradgic to have a kid get excited about catching a 16" 'eye and think that beats all. Get my drift? If the people keeping the 15" and less would simply catch and release these fish, the following year's crop would be that much bigger and so on... It is my intent to toss back all those larger than 24" as they are primarily females. I will however, keep a few of those 18-22" fish for the neighborhood fish fry (as well as giving a few away for hunting privilages). I guess it starts here. If I do my part, and the others on this site who are interested in maintaining the pursuit of these whiley fish do theirs, it benefits all.

Best of luck in the remaining ice-on season. Ice conditions and fishing have been terrible at best, but that is why they call it fishing and not catching.

skz