How about opening the Saginaw to walleye year round?

[Captain of the 4-C's]

Just trying to get a feel for what guys think as I remember the last few years how many guys fished it March 15th. I would think a lot of folks would participate and maybe the DNR would go for it if there was a slot limit of 15 - 20 inches (this would allow for taking mostly males with the occasional female). Open the region from the two rivers to the mouth from March 15th to the last Saturday in April. Walleye tend to spawn on rocky bottom (I know they will spawn elsewhere but prefer hard bottoms) and this area of river is mostly rock free. It would help the economy of Saginaw, give fisherman with small boats year round access to good walleye fishing in Mid Michigan, and cut down on the floatilla on the last week of open season in March. I know some less knowledgeable guys will want to violate - but they do now anyways. Guys in the know - know that a 17 inch walleye is a lot better eating than a 27 incher by far.

[jrsoup]

I for one think that it is fine the way it is. Give them a rest in the rivers and let them do their thing. The entire bay is open year round. Got to give them some sort of refuge. IMO.

[AllSpecieAngler]

Walleye is fine how it is. The one season they really should leave open all year is Lake Trout. Most people won't target them because of the "greaser" concept everyone has of them, so they wouldn't get over fished. They are easier to fish through the ice than other trout and salmon species, it would be a win win for everyone. No more having 50 guys piled up in the river mouths in the thumb!

[chamookman]

I agree with jrsoup - Give them a break. If You really want to fish for 'Eyeballs, there are a lot of other options in the State at that time. My .02, C-man

[Ralph Smith]

Walleye is fine how it is. The one season they really should leave open all year is Lake Trout. Most people won't target them because of the "greaser" concept everyone has of them, so they wouldn't get over fished. They are easier to fish through the ice than other trout and salmon species, it would be a win win for everyone. No more having 50 guys piled up in the river mouths in the thumb!

:yeahthat:

there's alot of walleye now in the sag. bay watershed, and alot of small ones too. That means for what ever the reason, be it no alewives or ? the walleye are probobly the best the area has ever seen. You can get em in a small boat all through May in close when they come out of river and fatten up a bit on the flats.

Lakers are become more and more abundant, and I would venture to say that they will consume alot of the small perch out there, and along with the walleye consuming the small perch, thats not good. also I bet they eat the small walleye in the bay also. They're eating machines, and need to be brought back under control. Open year round rivers or lakes. Could even make the size 20" and get some of the better eatin ones before they eat too many of the other species. Also make the limit 5, just like the new salmon regs. I'd leave steel and browns at 3 though.

[AllSpecieAngler]

:yeahthat:

there's alot of walleye now in the sag. bay watershed, and alot of small ones too. That means for what ever the reason, be it no alewives or ? the walleye are probobly the best the area has ever seen. You can get em in a small boat all through May in close when they come out of river and fatten up a bit on the flats.

Lakers are become more and more abundant, and I would venture to say that they will consume alot of the small perch out there, and along with the walleye consuming the small perch, thats not good. also I bet they eat the small walleye in the bay also. They're eating machines, and need to be brought back under control. Open year round rivers or lakes. Could even make the size 20" and get some of the better eatin ones before they eat too many of the other species. Also make the limit 5, just like the new salmon regs. I'd leave steel and browns at 3 though.

I couldn't agree more!

[TrekJeff]

NO!!!!


...just pretending I'm the NRC...lol

[CAPT HEAVY]

Walleyes Craig! How about more Lakers planted in lake huron:evilsmile

[Hart]

You can't have a year-round season on them w/out negative affects.

They eventually had to put a daily perch limit on Lake Simcoe for a reason.

The resource, despite appearances, is never infinite and requires some control.

[Captain of the 4-C's]

It is working great planting them now - survival rate might be 0.001% of total planted. The ones that have made it to 25 inches can's wait for the good ole US of A to plant those 7 - 8 inchers - they need something to eat. Lakers were just stuffed full of recently planted lake trout back in June! I am a little surprised more guys don't want to take advantage of river fishing in late march/April - thats fine, I can catch them off the kawkawlin mouth like everyone else too.