Brovarney,
To try to answer your question many posts back- A permitted catch/kill tourney won’t attract attention because thats what their permit allowed them to do. A catch/release tourney where an abnormal percent of the fish die may be newsworthy because it didn’t happen as planned. Fish were supposed to be released unharmed and it didn’t happen. It gives the impression that someone was at fault. Whether the holding tanks were too small or the aerator didn’t work or whatever unknown reason, things didn’t go as planned according the tournament catch/release permit. Should the tourney directors be held responsible for poor handling??? Should the DNR be held responsisble for permitting tourneys in the heat of summer??? I really don’t know. Most bass tounaments dont have numbers dead bass floating around afterwards, but if one did, then something must have went wrong. If something went wrong, then it should be fixed. That is why it is newsworthy.
I must have missed the story but some of the posts seem to refer to a recent bass tourney kill?

Salmon are totally different than bass/walleye. Of the 5 major species of Salmon/Trout in Lake Michigan, the only one that is hearty enough to survive catch and release is the Lake trout. Salmon will die at a very high percentage, unlike bass, walleye, etc. The only way to properly release a salmon and give it any chance of survival is to NOT net it and NOT touch it. Use a pliers to grab the hooks and twist it out, without touching the skin. This is impractical with any fish over a few pounds (too hard to lift). Salmon live 4 years, spawn once, then die unlike other species. Spawning in most rivers is not effective, except in a few pristine rivers in Northern Michigan. Stocking makes up the vast majority of fish. I would think the fish could be donated or given away, but catch and release is not feasible for salmon, even with livewells.

I have not had that problem with my 2004 merc 115 4 stroke. I run it almost year round in the river. When you do find the answer, please post.
RLK

Skyguy,
I fished pool 14 Friday and Saturday with excellent results. However, with the light south east wind, the Iowa side was terrible with grass. The illinois side was fairly clear. However, our best spot was Iowa side, so we just stuck it out and tried to be patient. There is currently a west or southwest wind forecast for Tuesday, so most of the grass will be along the Illinois bank. This should be good for the Albany wing dams. Lots of walleye and white bass over the weekend.
RLK

John,
I do agree with you that everyone has the right to be there. I also agree that we have to deal with bouncing up and down in wakes all day. If people are passing you that close, get their boat numbers and give them to the DNR. Its about your best option. Nothing may happen, but its worth a shot. In the case I’m talking about, it is not a wake problem, but rather the spray from the front of the boat flying though the air into the pontoon boat. If they were really that close, then its a safety problem, not just a courtesy thing. Again, my opinion, but others are welcome to set me straight about how much room a boat should give when passing.

I disagree with you John. The rest of the story is that my friend said there were no other boats within a hundred yards at that time. This boat chose to pass him wide open within 10 feet. I think common courtesy is to give someone more room than that whenever possible. It was certainly possible. He had the entire main channel available to pass. But that’s my opinion. What do you other guys think?

My friend at work had an encounter with the tournament just before weighin. He was in a pontoon boat in the edge of the channel and was passed by a tourny boat 30 feet away. Then, a minute later, he was passed again, this time at 10 feet. Both him and his wife were spashed by the other boat hitting his wake. He tried to get the boat numbers to report to the DNR but was unable due to the speed and close proximity. My friend would like to call the tournament director and discuss boat safety and courtesy. If anyone has the tourny directors name and phone number, please post it.
Where one tournament starts, more are sure to follow. Just look at Pool 13 and the explosion of bass tournamnents out of Savana in the past 10 years. While this one tournament may not have huge impact, walleye tournaments are growing rapidly in size and frequency, according to the walleye cup website. If the pool 14 summer walleye tournament follow the same craze as the pool 13 bass tournaments have, there will be an impact. Spring and fall tournaments have minimal impact on the fishery due to low mortality rates. Illinois will eventually have to look at the big picture, not just one weekend.

Interesting way to get around the Iowa rule. I guess every angler has the right to take home a limit of fish per day, whether in a tournament or not, as long as they follow the state rules. And I suppose that would have little impact from smaller tournaments. Larger tounaments may be a different matter. Hopefully the State would have enough sense to consider denying a permit to a “large” walleye tournament in summer. At least that my two cents. But then again, I think it is unethical to sight fish Bass off the beds in spring. Yet, it is legal and even highly promoted in some areas. Good luck in the tournament. Hope you guys “kill em”. Oops, I mean “knock them dead”. Oops, well have fun anyway, watch out for floating debris.

A question for you tournament guys. I was once told that the Iowa DNR would not permit a summer walleye tournament on the river due to high livewell mortality with the warm water temps. Did Iowa reverse their stance on this? Just curious.
RLK

I work next door to the fish hatchery on Pool 14 and have helped the biologists collect females in the spring. All large females are kept for stripping (and then released). I would say the majority of the eggs collected each year are from fish over 7 pounds. Some are collected over 10 pounds every year. They have very successful hatch rates! Very few eggs fail to hatch out.
RLK

I have had the X125 for a year and recommend it. The backlighting sytem is still decent (although different than the 135. I use it at night and am able to read it clearly.
Randy

Rooster,

I’m finding the wing dam bite in pool 14 slower than expected (much slower than last year), but still getting 3-6 nice fish in ~2 hour trips. A few fish up to 5 pounds, but mostly 16-22 inch. Mostly ringworms, some on floating rapalas. chart pepper being good with the dirtier water after the winds. Purple or black/red when the water clears. My only suggestion is to keep moving from spot to spot. A good spot one day will be empty the very next day. Very spotty with traditionally average spots producing more than my normally best spots. I’m hoping things will firm up with some colder water, but there will not be much temp drop this week. Fish location seems normal (front face and top)