Fishing for survival. Is it really that common anymore?

Jon Jordan wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Bonawitz07 wrote:</div>
Jon, when you say “Sad to say, but one of my favorite local walleye lakes will be making a big change here soon” are you thinking that the white bass population may ruin the walleye fishing in Phalen? Just curious, I know nothing about white bass.

Yes. I believe this lake management change will end the decent walleye fishing. There is no natural walleye reproduction in this lake.

-J.

Thanks for the reply Jon, was wondering why you had that opinion.

slipbob_nick wrote:

not familiar with white bass in the slightest. wouldn’t they live in different systems than walleye? not disagreeing just wondering on the thoughts that would affect walleyes negatively. to me the biggest problem a lake can get for <strong class=”ido-tag-strong”>walleyes have seen has never been stocking of a species but more of when theres a million hammerhandle northerns no one wants.

slipbob, maybe I’m speaking out of turn here but my interpretation of Jon’s answer was that the DNR is going to change their management of the lake and focus on introducing white bass instead of stocking walleye. He mentioned there’s no natural reproduction of walleye in the lake and so if they stop stocking, the population will decrease. I don’t think he was implying that the existence of the white bass would hurt the population. Could be wrong.

that makes sense. I thought they were going to be stocking both. sounds like picking and choosing I wouldn’t be too happy if they stopped stocking walleye on the lake im always on and swapped it for something else because some people want them. for the walleye guy= kick in the sack

Walleye and white bass also complete directly for the same forage. DNR sometimes adds musky or sturgeon to walleye lakes and claim they don’t compete much. I don’t know if I buy that 100%, but adding cats or white bass will impact the amount of food in a system for walleye.

White Bass have a white flaky flesh like walleye maybe a bit more “greasy”. Insert breading and deep fry 99% of people would never know the difference. These fish are some of the best fresh water fighters on Devils if I get into a school I don’t leave even better on ice. I don’t keep any but there are groups that do. These are predator fish they eat the same as Walleye, Pike, and Perch. They are also prey until a certain size because of their body shape and the amount of defenses. You can not handle one without damaging yourself at least once a fish. Once they reach 2+ lbs there is no predator (maybe 40″+ Pike) in the lake to keep them in check. A fish that doesn’t taste to bad and one hell of a fighter is nice to have in Devils Lake in it’s small population for as big as it is. A smaller lake with them and walleye wouldn’t be desired in my opinion say good bye to any stocked or natural Walleye fry.

tedroost wrote:

A smaller lake with them and walleye wouldn’t be desired in my opinion say good bye to any stocked or natural Walleye fry.

I agree.

-J.