DNR reward progarm for catching tagged walleyes

  • Will Roseberg
    Moderator
    Hanover, MN
    Posts: 2121
    May 9, 2013 at 12:59 pm #1289684

    http://news.dnr.state.mn.us/2013/05/06/dnr-tagging-walleyes-at-mille-lacs-return-tag-and-get-a-lure/

    Quote:

    DNR tagging walleyes at Mille Lacs; return tag and get a lure
    (Released May 6, 2013)

    Anglers who catch a Mille Lacs Lake walleye with an orange tag on its body can receive a free fishing lure if they return that tag to the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR).
    The offer is part of a broad effort to better understand the lake’s walleye population. DNR fisheries biologists are in the process of tagging and releasing 20,000 walleye. A new walleye population estimate will be based on the number of tagged fish captured in survey nets after spawning is completed. A selectivity estimate – an estimate of the sex and sizes of walleye anglers are most likely to catch – will be based on tag returns from anglers.

    “To maximize tag returns and thereby the accuracy of our estimates, we are offering an incentive for the actual return of orange tags,” said Tom Jones, DNR regional treaty fisheries coordinator. “We are taking this additional step because we want the best data possible for future management decisions on Mille Lacs.”

    Jones said the orange tags are labeled “REWARD.” Anglers that catch a fish with such a tag should remove it from the fish, even if the fish is released. Tags should be returned to DNR Fisheries, 1200 Minnesota Ave. S., Aitkin, MN 56431. A fishing lure will be mailed in return.

    Tag return boxes will also be available at several businesses around the lake, or anglers can simply mail them to the address on “REWARD” signs posted at the boat accesses.

    Incentives will not be rewarded for older yellow tags, but anglers are encouraged to return information on fish with these tags. Anglers are encouraged to leave yellow tags in the fish if they are released. These related projects will enable biologists to determine what proportion of the lake’s walleye are harvested, and will help refine population models.

    “The anglers who drop their tags in the mail are doing all Mille Lacs anglers a favor,” Jones said. “The higher the tag returns the higher the data reliability . . . and that’s what you want when managing an asset as valuable as Mille Lacs.”

    Kind of an interesting idea. I wonder what the free lure will be?

    moxie
    Sioux City,IA
    Posts: 874
    May 9, 2013 at 1:15 pm #1169560

    That sounds like a great program but what are the odds of catching a tagged walleye, I know James Holst caught I think 2 in one of the episodes..South Dakota I think.

    Justin Schneider (Woods & Water Insurance)
    Hugo, MN
    Posts: 1938
    May 9, 2013 at 1:17 pm #1169561

    On Mille Lacs, its not all that rare actually. In 2009 we caught 3-4 over the course of the first two weeks of the season up on the North Sand.

    I’ve probably caught another 3-4 since that time period.

    Will Roseberg
    Moderator
    Hanover, MN
    Posts: 2121
    May 9, 2013 at 1:27 pm #1169563

    Quote:

    That sounds like a great program but what are the odds of catching a tagged walleye, I know James Holst caught I think 2 in one of the episodes..South Dakota I think.

    I average catching 2 or 3 per year on Mille Lacs, but the reward only applies to fish which were specifically tagged with orange tags.

    My guess is that these tags were only added this spring when the DNR set nets in front of some of the river mouths and maybe last Fall as well, but that there aren’t nearly as many orange tags as the older yellow tags (which don’t get a reward)

    steve-fellegy
    Resides on the North Shores of Mille Lacs--guiding on Farm Island these days
    Posts: 1294
    May 9, 2013 at 1:39 pm #1169567

    Quote:

    That sounds like a great program but what are the odds of catching a tagged walleye, I know James Holst caught I think 2 in one of the episodes..South Dakota I think.

    Typically, on a healthy lake, tagged fish are hard to find/catch. But on Lake Mille Lacs, in recent years, tagged fish being caught and reported are very common. In fact, countless tagged fish have been caught numerous times ( same fish) in recent years. Odds of finding/catching a tagged fish go way up when the population of a studied species is low and hungry. With that I expect to see many newly tagged fish to show up in the creels this year. (so far, walleyes running up creeks etc. at Lake Mille Lacs and being tagged by Mn. DNR has seen low numbers)

    We caught one tagged walleye last summer 3 times in an hour–1st two times in 15 minutes–the third time 400 yards from the first two times–30 minutes later.

    Of course, what skews results of the study are tagged fish that die in Tribal gill-nets before having a chance to find and catch by sport anglers.

    moxie
    Sioux City,IA
    Posts: 874
    May 9, 2013 at 1:43 pm #1169570

    Quote:

    Typically, on a healthy lake, tagged fish are hard to find/catch. Odds of finding/catching a tagged fish go way up when the population of a studied species is low and hungry.

    My thoughts exactly!

    moxie
    Sioux City,IA
    Posts: 874
    May 9, 2013 at 1:54 pm #1169572

    Not to go off subject but it would be nice to get a lure for so many pounds of carp you turn in to DNR, that’ll help rid of the mess. Ok I’m done

    TD Ramrod
    Menomonie, WI
    Posts: 50
    May 9, 2013 at 3:56 pm #1169618

    Wouldnt it make more sense to keep using the numbered tags and report the numbers date and area caught. It would probably increase the chance of people giving the numbers to friends to get a free. lure, but the useful life of program would be longer.

    steve-fellegy
    Resides on the North Shores of Mille Lacs--guiding on Farm Island these days
    Posts: 1294
    May 9, 2013 at 6:08 pm #1169677

    This week’s Outdoor News covers this story well.

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