Slot limit thoughts

[Sonicrunch]

I still think slot +1 would be great. Many people don't get the chance to go much, maybe once a year. Not a lot of time to learn a lake.

I don't think keeping one fish a day is going to kill the fishing. The idea of a slot that only increases your odds of catching big fish is one sided and doesn't provide for the guy that wants one meal.

I disagree. One fish, times many people, times 365 days a year = too much.

How about if people could buy a one day license, and keep one. ???

[JohnMickish]

I have read this thread and there are some very interesting thoughts on both sides, but if a guy really wants dinner, the cheapest place to get walleye is at the local grocery store. No, it's not as fresh and you didn't catch it, but if you "have" to have it, it's a guaranteed catch.

Another thought is that if the people fishing where ethical, we wouldn't need the tight rules we have. The rules are there to make it a better fishery, not to make it tough to catch fish.

Are you going out to catch fish or to catch dinner? If it's dinner, see the first paragraph. I personally love the slots in the lake and wouldn't change a thing, but that's just me.

[vexi]

I would support a statewide one over 18" and a 3 walleye limit

[herm0026]

+1 Vexi

[Chode2235]

The main reason for a slot in most lakes is to limit harvest to a sustainable level. If folks harvest more fish than the lake can produce, eventually the harvest will equal the production with both at a low level thus providing crummy fishing.

The same thing could be accomplished by reducing the limit but it would have to be to a very low number, like 1 or 2 fish. Or the system used in sandiego county california bass/trout lakes. Fishing is only allowed on certain days, like tuesday and saturday.

Of all the alternatives that I can think of, a slot seems the most palatable to me.

Never really thought about it quite like this, but the slot is really the alternative to substantially lowering the limit. This seems to be a great compromise. When I go up to the lake for a week once a year and can catch and bring home enough fish for a few meals, but at the same time it stops people from keeping everything they catch.

If walleyes only tasted like bass we wouldnt have this problem...

[goblueM]

betcha i can serve you some bass, walleye, and northern and you actually wouldn't be able to tell the difference

deep fried or baked/grilled, most people can't tell

/the more you know

[Sportland_Bait]

I really wish they would go statewide with a 4 fish limit and a 14 inch minimum and one over 20 inches. Similar to what they had on Mille Lacs a few years ago. It would simplify the lake to lake confusion, allow keeping size fish on most lakes, plus a chance to keep a trophy for anglers wishing to do so. It could only help the fishing get better, and the economic impact would follow with positive results. If after ten years it doesn't work you try something else.

Jason

[Wish-I-Were-Fishn]

I've always heard the reason you let the +17's go is because they are the breeders.

[shortfatguy]

I dont know about all of the other lakes, but the 17" and under rule on lake vermilion has nothing to do with breeding size fish. The DNR has a total weight they have decided can safely be taken each year. They have deduced that by limiting the number of walleyes allowed to 4 and the size to under 17" they will not exceed that weight.

[tv4fish]

I think maybe the MN/DNR could learn from the Canadians ? - What age group (in humans) produce the healthiest babies? Not the oldest females - but the younger ones Where we fish in Canada the slot limit is 18-21 inches.

We asked why this is - we were told that studies proved that the survival rate of eggs produced by this size/age fish was the greatest. Sure, the larger females produce MORE eggs, but not as "good". Food for thought.

[JohnMickish]

Don't get hung up on the size of a fish from spot X and compare the regs to spot Y. It's the lattitude/longitude of the fish that plays a major role in how long it lives, and thus what it produces. The 18-21" fish protected there in the cold water of canada is probably a 6-10 year old fish, and on leech for example, that fish would be over 20 inches, probably closer to 27 inches. A female walleye reaches sexual maturity after about 4 years, then it starts producing large numbers of eggs.

Now if you go down to Table Rock lake in Arkansas, a 3 year old fish is closer to 20" due to the extended growing season and forage base.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

Don't get hung up on the size of a fish from spot X and compare the regs to spot Y. It's the lattitude/longitude of the fish that plays a major role in how long it lives, and thus what it produces.

A female walleye reaches sexual maturity after about 4 years, then it starts producing large numbers of eggs.

Not in all cases, mnfishinguy. Forage availability and overall population abundance (competition or lack thereof) play a big role as well in the overall growth/health of a fish population.

[rodmoen]

Goblue, that is absurd.. maybe pike and walleye, but if you tried to pass off some bass as pike or 'eye, i'd bust you every time.. Different taste, texture and everything

[JohnMickish]

Not in all cases, mnfishinguy. Forage availability and overall population abundance (competition or lack thereof) play a big role as well in the overall growth/health of a fish population.

You are absolutly correct. There are many factors in the age/length/weight ratio. I was just trying to get it across that all 20" are not the same, and they are not.

[Shawn Kellett]

All I know is that when I go walleye fishing I'd rather cull through 25"ers then 10"ers (or get blanked). The slot lakes seem to provide that.

[jim carpenter]

DD;

i would much rather eat a muskie or a bass than a panfish!

[jim carpenter]

forgot to mention; for those who don't know DD or myself - i am just kidding on the above post...

[Sonicrunch]

There is another interesting point.

If people were allowed to keep one in the slot, they would be cullng them. Correct me if i am wrong, but fish that have been in the livewell have lower survivability once released compared to a fish that was caught and released and never saw the livewell.

Another factor is the unscrupulous fisherman who will release a half dead 20 incher, so he can take home a 25 incher. I think there are PLENTY of them folks out there