Walleye season 365 days per year?

[Zofchak]

What are everyone's thoughts about keeping inland Walleye fishing open during the spawn? The Spring runs allow small boat and shore bound anglers the best chance for good numbers of fish. And for many anglers it's their only chance at catching Great Lakes Walleye. Perhaps a reduced Spring time limit or a reduced limit/slot limit combo would be a great way to increase participation in fishing, but at the same time maintain high numbers of fish.

Any thoughts either way? :fish:

[thedude]

6th st. dam would be lined with every mouthbreather for miles.

[sfw1960]

:evilsmile

6th st. dam would be lined with every mouthbreather for miles.

TRUE dat!!

[Ralph Smith]

I'm all for it. Reduced slot limit with 1 outside the slot for a mounter if you want it. Good time of year to get a trophy. It won't hurt the great lake populations, thats for sure. Look at the Maumee in Ohio, their season never closes, and its always full of fish every spring. On a not about only chance to get fish though, you can get all kinds of them right now in most larger great lakes tribs that are full of baitfish, and without a boat.;)

[Kayak Dave]

The closing of the season gives them a fair chance to spawn.

I have fished certain inland areas during the closed season "not targeting walleye of course" and caught one on just about every cast.

IF walleye fishing were open year round like you are discussing, I couldnt imagine it being fun fishing for something that was in the water so thick you could walk across to the other side.

just my .02

[Kayak Dave]

For the record, I no longer have a boat. And have always enjoyed shore fishing. Catching walleye from shore is very possible during the open season.

[waterfoul]

It seems to work in Ohio. Lower limit (3 fish). And yes... every Tom, Dick, and Harriet can and DOES catch fish in Ohio in the spring. I'd hate to see the Grand or any other river turn into the Maumee every spring.

[Priority1]

We have a very good fishery going right now. Why mess with success? The Bay tributaries are full of spawning walleye in March and April. Take all the Cows and there will be no Calves. Gotta Luv dat Bay.

[JJ Mac]

Without the ability to stock due to VHS, this would be the worst time to implement a year round fishery, imho. I do however support the extended winter season in the UP that began last year. That made good sense.

[fishinthed]

Sure. With slot limits... say up to 6 total, no more than 1 over 28" and/or fish under 22". :fish:

[bigfisherman]

I wouldn't use lake erie waters as a good example of why you should be able to fish inland walleye during the spawn. Lake Erie is the best and largest walleye fishery in the world that doesn't compair to a 500 acre lake with limited walleye populations. I think that is a terrible idea.

If what you are looking for is the ideal time to exploit a population then great hammer away but not suitable for most waters. I think it is probally feasable to open up the season year around on tribs to lake erie to the first dam like flat rock on the huron, but you certianly don't want to include inland fisheries that do not have the massive populations. If you are looking for shorebound alternatives for walleyes there are lots of them. I have several boats and still fish from shore on occasion and do just fine.

[Zofchak]

Looks like there are opinions both ways. :fish:


What about replacing the Southern LP's all out closure from March 15th-Last Saturday to a 1 or 2 fish daily limit and slot limit of 15"-20"? This would most likely prevent the harvest of most females and I assume would have a minuscule effect on the population. If sensitive local populations were a concern the season could be limited to Great lake tributaries only.

By the way I'm not complaining about not being able to catch fish, as I spend 75% of my fishing by boat in the St. Clair and Detroit River system and catch plenty of them:D. My issue is that we have an abundant Great Lakes population of Walleye and the closure during the Spring run prevents many from accessing the best fishing of the year. IMO it's comparable to closing Salmon in October or deer season during the rut. If the population was an issue i would understand it, but I highly doubt a limited season during the spawn would have much of an effect.

Due to the minimal gear requirements, high concentrations of fish and easy access I've found the Spring run to be a great time to introduce newbies to fishing. IMO we're missing out on a solid way of increasing participation by closing the season during the peak of the spawn.

[dasuper]

This sounds like a great idea if you want to see a repeat of the fall salmon mess. Do you really think the snaggers won't be out in full force to fill the freezer again? Just my opinion.

[Kayak Dave]

This sounds like a great idea if you want to see a repeat of the fall salmon mess. Do you really think the snaggers won't be out in full force to fill the freezer again? Just my opinion.

:yeahthat:

[Oldgrandman]

Walleye season 365 days per year?

No, only cause I need the break, LOL!