Wissota walleye slot size limit yields larger fish - Wissota, Lake - Wissota, Lake

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By Joe Knight
Leader-Telegram staff
The 14- to 18-inch walleye slot size limit on Lake Wissota has resulted in more and larger walleyes, and anglers are taking home quite a few more walleyes, according to Joe Kurz, Department of Natural Resources fish manager for Eau Claire and Chippewa counties.

Under the slot size, walleyes from 14 to 18 inches must be returned. An angler can keep one walleye over 18 inches. A survey of the lake in 1996 showed the statewide 15-inch size limit was resulting in overfishing of females.

The ratio of males to females was 12 to 1.

“With the 15-inch size limit we actually saw a reduction in the number of fish over 15 inches, and where it really decreased dramatically was in fish over 20 inches,” Kurz said. “With the 15-inch size limit, they just weren’t getting many legal fish, and when they did get them they were taking them home.”

The DNR estimated the density of adult walleyes per acre at 1.5 in 1996. A good, self-sustaining walleye lake should have about three adults per acre, he said.

The slot size went into effect in 1997. A 2006 survey found more walleyes over 15 inches, more over 20 inches and more over 25 inches, Kurz said. The adult male to female ratio had improved to five males per female, and the density estimate for adult walleyes was just more than two per acre.

In Wissota male walleyes reach sexual maturity at 11 to 12 inches. Females start to spawn at 14 to 15 inches, so the slot gives females three protected years of spawning before they reach 18 inches and can be kept, Kurz said.

In the 1996 survey, a creel census found anglers targeting walleyes were spending five hours per acre. In 2006 anglers targeting walleyes were spending eight hours per acre.

In 1996, with the 15-inch minimum, anglers took home 1,800 walleyes. In 2006, with the slot size, anglers took home 10,100 walleyes, although most of them were under 14 inches. Kurz said. The DNR didn’t have figures for the portion of walleyes taken over 18 inches.

Emerald shiners are a major item in the diets of walleyes and other game fish in the river portions of the Wissota system, he said. Trout perch, a small fish that is neither a trout nor a perch, also is a favorite of Wissota walleye, he said. In winter, walleyes often are filled with small bluegills.

The bluegill population appears to be increasing in the lake because new weed beds are becoming established. A change in winter drawdowns by Xcel Energy has allowed aquatic vegetation to grow on parts of the lake bed that previously were exposed in winter.

The new weed beds also may be changing the distribution of walleyes, Kurz said.

Knight can be reached at 830-5835, 800-236-7077 or [email protected].