pool 4 catch and release

One of the problems with a slot limit is that the river is boundry waters. Min DNR & Wisc. DNR would have to work together. I know that in the past they have a hard time agreeing on regulations.

I have not read all the posts here, but see the overall opinion. Now, for anyone interested, here is mine. I have fished the RW area for 20+ years..regardless of what the DNR says or believes..FISH tell the truth. The amount of large fish being caught in the last 5-10 years is dropping, and the amount of well educated fisherman is increasing. It’s not a bunch of guys in 14′ boats, 10 horses, and hair jigs..It’s people that have read every magazine, have learned a lot about walleye fishing and how to target the big one. Last weekend W/O even trying we counted 150 boats near the dam then..all the way down the main channel,back-channel..down into the lake it was boats, people catching, and A LOT of them keeping fish..watched a 9.5 go into the live-well, and several around 5#’s…although I respect everyones view and opinion..I will never be convinced..no matter how well this fishery reproduces..that as the numbers of fisherman increases as it is, and so many people keep everything they catch, that we will not wish we would have acted sooner. The DNR, as with any political institution, has proven capable of stupid decisions, although they mean well. Basically take pictures, and keep only what you will eat in the pounder range. Thanks for listening to my POV.

well said crankybait. Too many people think that because the fishing is so good now that it will never get any worse. We have to act ahead of time and not when it will be too late. As far as the impact on tournaments. Most tournaments are held after may 1st and as for the ones held before they will have to wait until then. The health of the fishery is more important than any tournament and as james said earlier if we improve the fishery more people will want to come. So the economics will take care of itself.

labsrule

If I had my way, (I won’t hold my breath) both MN & WS would go “catch&release” from January thru April on the river.

All the fools that need to put 400 fish in the freezer just so they can impress their friends, will have ample time to do so.

Like I said earlier..I won’t hold my breath! Stay on the bottom! Cranky