Outlook for "07?

[LipRipper]

As we all know the last couple of years have been very good for walleye fishing. The 13" fish in '05 grew to 15 to 16" fish in '06 and just as plentiful as the year before. Do you think there will be a good amount of, say, 17 to 19" fish for this seaon?

[gilly]

I sure hope so and would bet the farm on it. The fish were bigger in the fall last year than the spring. As long as all those fish have a good spawn we will stay in business. However, I did read one article that said we could be back to some lean years really quick if the spawn doesn't due well which is mostly dependent on spring weather- too much wind which would silt over the eggs, etc. Seems odd all those fish right now but still the future isn't set in stone...

[Slick fishing]

My favorite time of year "SUMMER TIME" Bring on the walleye.. Cya Slick

[FishTales]

As long as all those fish have a good spawn we will stay in business. However, I did read one article that said we could be back to some lean years really quick if the spawn doesn't due well which is mostly dependent on spring weather- too much wind which would silt over the eggs, etc.
That's the reason for the limit change's that took place.
Lake Erie used to be 13 inch and 10 per person, now it's 15 inch and 5 per person.
If we keep having good spawning seasons, the fisheries stay good.
Posssibly some day they will change the limits for the better.
Rich
2007 Walleye Regs for St Clair River through Lake Erie (http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/walleye-regs_188471_7.pdf)

[Mike Thomas]

Below is the fishery forecast from our annual Lake St. Clair Fisheries Research Station report. I've also included the link to the whole report (in pdf form) on our website. The report provides details from many of the surveys and studies we conduct each year. Feel free to contact me if you have any questions about anything in the report. thomasmv@michigan.gov - Mike.

Fishery Forecast for 2007
Annual variation in reproductive success of
walleye and yellow perch can result in substantial
year to year changes in the abundance of these
species. Harvestable-size yellow perch
abundance will be about the same as last year in
Lake Erie and Lake St. Clair, with strong
contributions from the 2001 and 2003 year
classes. Although walleye abundance will
decrease in 2007, the average size of walleye
available for anglers will be larger. The 2003 year
class is expected to again dominate the walleye
fishery in the connecting waters and Lake Erie.
As a result, walleye anglers will find walleye
numbers lower, but average size larger this year.
Muskie and bass numbers tend to remain more
stable from year to year and both species should
continue to provide excellent fishing opportunities
in 2007, particularly in Lake St. Clair and the
Detroit River.

http://www.michigan.gov/documents/dnr/LSCFRS-status-2006_190663_7.pdf

[salmonslammer]

continue to provide excellent fishing opportunities
in 2007, particularly in Lake St. Clair and the
Detroit River.



:woohoo1: :)


Thanks for the info Mike!!!

[Wirepuller]

Thanks for the report Mike. There is a lot to digest but very informative.