Warm water walleye care?

Sure have noticed a difference in releasing walleyes in the past week. Im sure this has to do with warming water temps. Dont think I released a single fish last weekend that didnt need some coaxing along side the boat before releasing. In the weeks before this it was very common to just put them in the water and away they went. Some even leaving a little spray in your face.

Any one else notice this. Pool 2 is where I have been fishing. Water temps there this last weekend where around 78 degrees. I know quick CPR will help with keeping these fish less stressed. Getting these into the boat faster would help also but is not always easy with lively hooked fish. What else have you guys been doing to try to keep your fish healthy.

last few times out, I’ve been very successful in keeping them from getting hooked in the first place!

Mike i am right along with ya on that one. I have had quite a few also lately that have needed a little coxing.

For tournaments this time of year I always make sure everything is working properly on my live well. I always check my recirculating pump, my fresh water pump, my high speed fresh water pickup, and my oxygenator DAILY. One of the most important for me is my oxygenator. These things are amazing. Even in hot temps my fish are so lively at the weigh ins that I usually have to put on a glove to get them out of the livewell.

Make sure to dip your ruler in the water to cool it off before laying a fish on it. Those metal rulers get smoking hot laying on the floor of a boat!

-J.

Quote:

---

Make sure to dip your ruler in the water to cool it off before laying a fish on it. Those metal rulers get smoking hot laying on the floor of a boat!

-J.

---

Good point!!!!

Was on lake Bemidji last week. Tourney there Saturday had nearly a 50% mortality! I helped some of the tourney organizers clean 210 walleye. Most well over 20″s.
Some discussion about ‘fizzing’ fish, so after releasing, if they die, they won’t float. Not good fishing ethics in my opinion. Especially if they are coming from deeper water. Better plan on eating some fish, and just quit when you have your quota.

Quote:

---

last few times out, I’ve been very successful in keeping them from getting hooked in the first place!

---

Funny. Thats a good way to keep them healthy.

Ben, I’ve been looking at the oxygenators this last week. Which model do you have, what are your likes/dislikes/advice on this product.

Jami

Jami, I have them in the Skeeter and kept the live well iced to stay below 65 all day. no dead ones at the FLW. they all were doin fine…

I have noticed this on Pool 3 this year too Mike. Actually every year when it gets warm. I have made the comment many times that a lot of times when you catch walleye in the summer, their dorsal fin lays down during pictures. In cold water, it is standing at attention. I wonder if that is a stress indicator?

Ben and Greg,

Do you guys run the Oxygenator off of a separate battery, or the main battery? I normally run my livewell pumps on manual all day long and do not have any worries with draining my battery even when I don’t have the main motor running for hours at a time. I am a little concerned that combining the Oxygenator with the pumps may cause some problems, but I haven’t checked the power draw so I’m just speculating at this point. Do you normally continually cycle fresh water through the livewells and run the Oxygenator at the same time. I’m considering purchasing one and installing a second battery just for the Oxygenator. Is this overkill? Any information you are willing to share would be greatly appreciated.

Jon,

Great point. John and I were just talking about that this weekend. Those metal rulers get awfully hot.

I wired mine direct to the battery, there is very little current draw, it only comes on during contact with water.

I called the guys who make them and that was there advice, so far so good and very happy fish.

Quote:

---

Ben, I’ve been looking at the oxygenators this last week. Which model do you have, what are your likes/dislikes/advice on this product.

Jami

---

Jami

Get the big one that mounts permanetly

Quote:

---

Quote:

---

Ben, I’ve been looking at the oxygenators this last week. Which model do you have, what are your likes/dislikes/advice on this product.

Jami

---

Jami

Get the big one that mounts permanetly

---

What he said. Also, make sure to get the newest one with the lights. They are self cleaning.

Quote:

---

Do you normally continually cycle fresh water through the livewells and run the Oxygenator at the same time.

---

As far as leaving it on all day, I have never had a problem with it draining my battery. I always leave my recirc on the timer switch so it’s on for 5 minutes and off for 5. I also like to give them some fresh water every 1/2 hour or so. If it’s really hot I’ll let the fresh water flow all day. I think controlling the water temp is VERY important. I haven’t ever felt like I needed to put ice in the well while using the Oxygenator, besides if you ice them down when the water is really warm and them you go to the bump tank where it’s quite a bit warmer you can risk shocking the fish.

Thanks for all the advice. I think I’m going to pick one up this week.

Chad, I have 2 Optima 34 in the back and they are hooked up to the Yammie charging harness to keep them charging when the big motor is running too. The draw is minimal and I have had no problems. I do know even a 1/2 lb loss on a dead one could cost enough to buy some for your livewells.

I installed one yesterday. It was a piece of cake. Now I just need to catch some fish to try it out.