Pool 4 Walleye Limit

It is hard not to imagine how amazing the Mighty Miss would be if there were similar walleye restrictions from March to opening weekend in May like there are on Oconto River, Oconto Break water, and other surrounding rivers. Instead of being able to keep 6 walleyes pump full of eggs, have the limit be 1 or 2 walleye per person between March and the first Saturday in May and then move the limit back to 6 for the rest of the year. Frankly, it’s absurd to be able to keep 6 walleyes during that time of the year.

Obviously it has been this way for years, and yes, fishing is already good/great… but like I said it’s hard not to imagine how good it could be. And maybe I am completely wrong, but just my opinion.

I love the annual topics. I’m no expert on p4 so I won’t comment. Looking forward to the discussion this year though.

Both States have data that will show the walleye limit “could” be higher.
Neither State has much data on flathead catfish but WI’s limit is 25 fish per day no matter if it’s a 10 pound fish or a 50 pound fish.

I don’t get out walleye fishing much. Can’t we just raise the limit to 15?

arm chair biology is the best biology

I for one DO NOT NEED regulations put in place to throw back female Walleyes during those time frames as mentioned.Just saying ……..

If pulling prego walleyes out in the spring on Mille Lacs doesn’t effect the fishery then why would it on the Miss….LOL

With that, I’m out of here!

An effective catch and release with 1 over 28” would be great from March 1st to May 1st.

That and lengthening the minimum distance below the dam for fishing would be great. On Saturdays at this time of the year, I could net a limit of floating 10-12” saugers and small eyes 1/2 mile downriver with minimal effort. The scour hole decimation of small “released” fish is ridiculous. If only people knew that there’s places out of sight from the dam that produce bigger fish and provide a shot at survival after being released…

I would have no problem with them changing the regulations, but I don’t see a huge need. I fish down there a handful of times every spring, and don’t see any or many people keeping the big girls. Myself and most of my friends that fish down there release any fish over 20″, and I’ve never been over the famed scour hole. Overall I think most modern anglers do a good job of regulating ourselves without gov’t legislating morality. I’m sure there’s plenty that don’t do the same, but most of the time it’s through ignorance and not intent. I would also add sending personal messages to people who post pics keeping the big girls goes a lot farther than shouting them down. Same with the scour hole.

I’m in favor of lowering limits across the board. Who needs 6 walleye? I never keep more than I plan on eating in the next few days. Fresh is soo much better than frozen. If I’m going to have a meal, 2 15-18 inch walleyes plenty.

How many miles of spawning habitat in P4? How little of that is actually fished?

I need at least 15 walleye…minimum! Every day, twice a day sometimes. Stack ’em in the livewell like cord wood. Oh, and the bigger…the better.

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Brian Klawitter wrote:

Both States have data that will show the <em class=”ido-tag-em”>walleye limit “could” be higher.
Neither State has much data on flathead catfish but WI’s limit is 25 fish per day no matter if it’s a 10 pound fish or a 50 pound fish.

I don’t get out walleye fishing much. Can’t we just raise the limit to 15?

Really, one self looking out for himself? You and I always have disputes.

How many people are taking home limits of catfish vs walleye or any other fish? Any data to support that?

The WI spring hearings have items on the agenda to vote for. Actually trying to work with both MN and Iowa to get something all of us can agree on.

That would be a good thing to have border waters equal in regulations.

riverruns wrote:

How many people are taking home limits of catfish vs walleye or any other fish? Any data to support that?

How about some photo data to support that. Once I meet or exceed my limit of walleye, I turn next to filling my next quota on cats…the bigger the better.

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its kinda funny that this is discussed. I maybe take 10 from the river a year selected harvest I like to release fish so if 50% of us cpr our catch that’s already half way there!! now I know its not the pond so lets understand some people want to eat some fish! stay out of the nursery!! don’t fish the deep holes and enjoy your time out!

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>riverruns wrote:</div>
How many people are taking home limits of <em class=”ido-tag-em”>catfish vs walleye or any other fish? Any data to support that?

How about some photo data to support that. Once I meet or exceed my limit of walleye, I turn next to filling my next quota on cats…the bigger the better.

Your always good too stir the pot.

riverruns wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:</div>

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>riverruns wrote:</div>
How many people are taking home limits of <em class=”ido-tag-em”>catfish vs walleye or any other fish? Any data to support that?

How about some photo data to support that. Once I meet or exceed my limit of walleye, I turn next to filling my next quota on cats…the bigger the better.

Your always good too stir the pot.

Everyone knows the only limit Andy catches is on Mille Lacs during CnR, that’s why he buys walleye…

I’m glad that people throw the 20 inchers plus back.. however the 17s 18s and 19s are great spawners too.. and thus having a reduced limit from March to May would completely change the fishery.

I know we all like to discuss how each of us are C&R guys, but the fact is most fisherman are not on these forums, and most keep everything they catch (mostly).

I truly believe it is a carnal instinct to some degree, catch meat eat meat. It is changing a little bit, but not fast enough to sustain our waters for years to come.

“Really, one self looking out for himself? You and I always have disputes. toast

How many people are taking home limits of catfish vs walleye or any other fish? Any data to support that?

The WI spring hearings have items on the agenda to vote for. Actually trying to work with both MN and Iowa to get something all of us can agree on.

That would be a good thing to have border waters equal in regulations.”

First, it doesn’t matter how many people are taking home 25 catfish a day. It’s excessive in any normal persons eye. Like you, “most” walleye people don’t care about other fish, catfish or others.

As far as data goes, I’m glad you brought that up! There is very little data on cats in general much less on how many are kept. Next question.

I have a lot of data on commercial fishing of cats…very little, oh wait! Zero data on commercial fishing of walleye.

Lets go that way then. Open commercial netting of walleyes on Pool 4.
How’s that fly?

The limits are based on the best science available to the regulating agencies. This includes the number of people fishing. As long as everyone obey the
laws or take less by personal preference there should not be a problem.The biggest impact on walleye population is weather/temperature/habitat conditions during and after the spawn. If bad spawning conditions over a few years result in lower population then the limits will be lowered. Sport fishing presure is seldom the problem.

buckybadger wrote:

If only people knew that there’s places out of sight from the dam that produce bigger fish and provide a shot at survival after being released…

Most of them are probably told by a certain resort to fish the scour hole…

BigWerm wrote:

Everyone knows the only limit Andy catches is on Mille Lacs during CnR, that’s why he buys walleye…

You betcha Big Daddy…and it’s back again for 2018! The Mille Lacs Lake walleye sandwich…

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Brian Klawitter wrote:

Lets go that way then. Open commercial netting of walleyes on Pool 4.
How’s that fly?

Yes, let’s go that way then…as long as we’re on this topic (which is off topic ), commercial netting of walleyes on Pool 4. Great idea…open up the entire river system too. Perhaps we can have the Ojibwa tribes do the netting…you know, all the “dirty” work?

So after bringing home my limit of Mille Lacs Lake walleye this summer, I can then purchase a couple truckloads of some “River-Eyes”.

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

The Mille Lacs Lake walleye sandwich…

I know the situation up there is sad, but that makes me laugh every time I see it Andy! lol

Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:

So after bringing home my limit of Mille Lacs Lake walleye this summer, I can then purchase a couple truckloads of some “River-Eyes”.

I heard they are more of an earthy tone, than the Red Lake, Winnipeg or Erie one’s you get otherwise.

msw1700 wrote:

and thus having a reduced limit from March to May would completely change the fishery.

Maybe, maybe not. Unless you have some studies the DNR is unaware of?

FishBlood&RiverMud wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>buckybadger wrote:</div>
If only people knew that there’s places out of sight from the dam that produce bigger fish and provide a shot at survival after being released…

Most of them are probably told by a certain resort to fish the scour hole…

I cannot confirm that and don’t want to drag a resort through the dirt. I think it’s just the herd mentality and the fact that any average joe with a boat can catch dozens of fish there…they just won’t be big but make for a “50 fish day” story.

nhamm wrote:

I know we all like to discuss how each of us are C&R guys, but the fact is most fisherman are not on these forums, and most keep everything they catch (mostly).

I truly believe it is a carnal instinct to some degree, catch meat eat meat. It is changing a little bit, but not fast enough to sustain our waters for years to come.

Agreed. There is a slight change in attitude, but it isn’t wide-spread. Go on P4 this weekend and observe amongst the bumper boats how many 15+” eyes are released…not many. The MNDNR is going to either have to step-in with tighter regulations on most bodies of water or see the quality of fishing erode. The changes will never happen overnight, and therefore will be tough for most anglers to notice. People can’t compare this year to last, or even the year before that to see the trend. When people begin to use long-term data, it’s clear that technology (boats, clothing, flashers, graphs, social media, cell phones, etc) are going to hurt populations of all species – not just the beloved walleye. Walleyes and saugers are just going to be the first as they are seen as table-fare for both the latest generations AND the old-timers.

BigWerm wrote:

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:</div>
The Mille Lacs Lake walleye sandwich…

I know the situation up there is sad, but that makes me laugh every time I see it Andy! lol

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>Walleyestudent Andy Cox wrote:</div>
So after bringing home my limit of Mille Lacs Lake walleye this summer, I can then purchase a couple truckloads of some “River-Eyes”.

I heard they are more of an earthy tone, than the Red Lake, Winnipeg or Erie one’s you get otherwise.

<div class=”d4p-bbt-quote-title”>msw1700 wrote:</div>
and thus having a reduced limit from March to May would completely change the fishery.

Maybe, maybe not. Unless you have some studies the DNR is unaware of?

Completely change? Probably not.

Make a noticeable difference by protecting spawning fish from harvest? Probably.

A guy could just make some signs and put them up by the launches that say If you want this bite to be around for your grand kids, please let the females go or something.
Andy, my son loves your Mille Lacs walleye sandwich without the lettuce and tomatoes. Yep just bread and mayonnaise. He wanted that over stake last night.

Caviar……mmmmmmmmm! Nothing goes to waste, you guys make it seem like we are killing the fishery.

As anglers we always want better fishing opportunities and this could help. I don’t see how it would hurt. Anything that can make the fishing better all year I am willing to try.

Going back to the original post,
The DNR have said for at least 10 years that the Walleye/ Sauger population is so good, with multiple year classes, that any effort for special regs or slot is just not necessary.

Of course, we can all do our part, stay out of the scour hole and only take home a few to enjoy.

But that is what the DNR says.
Jack