State Wide Slot Limit on Walleyes

[gwiff100]

Anyone else in favor of this? Maybe there is more politics to it than i thought, but why wouldnt a State Wide Slot benefit everyone? 14-19 in slot with 1 over 28 or something like that? Would allow those little 12's that i've been watching people keep to grow all the while keeping the better genetics alive and well in the local lakes.

[nemoski]

I don't know what the regs are in Minnesota, but I sure wish they would have a slot limit for the State of Michigan. I know they had one at Bay de Noc, but apparently the DNR has done away with it. Bay de Noc, at one time, was probably the best walleye fishery in the state. It may still be one of the best in the state, but without the slot limit, I have a feeling it will lose it's greatness. I would like to see the slot here (in Michigan) 18-24 with one over 24, but that's just me.

[TooTallTom]

Hi gwiff100,

No, I don't support a statewide slot limit for any kind of fish. Lakes are just too different in what they can support/ what's a healthy population for that specific lake. I don't think that there's one size range that will work well for every lake in the state.

But, I do think that slot limits on more lakes than have them now would be good. Minnetonka comes to mind.

Tom.

[gwiff100]

I just hate seeing people keeping 12- 14 in walleyes along with a 22 - 24in. Obviously each lake is different, just would be nice to see more and more 20+ in. fish around.

[magnum mike]

+1 Tall Tom nailed this one

[pulleye16]

Here's my issue with any regulation be that of walleye, deer, or any other wild game species...does it benefit the wildlife or the outdoors men? Anything that is based specifically on the outdoors men needs only, really needs to be thought over and have overwhelming public support. Fishing can be slightly different cause of catch and release along with much much longer seasons and species available. Someone who hates seeing others keeping certain sizes who'd they personally never keep is your own progative...remember it's not just about YOU!

I practice CPR on almost all my fish caught so yes-I'd love to see bigger and more fish but I'm not going to get on someones back for keep what they want, cause thats their issue not mine; I just need to work harder to get what I want. I don't need to change everyone elses fishing needs to benefit my own!. If I want bigger and more fish, I'll find a lake that offers that. If I'm looking for eaters, I'll find a lake that offers that then.

So to answer your question, I stick to my first sentence....does it benefit the wildlife or the outdoors men?

[herefish101]

NO! Thats all we need is more big brother. The slots on the many lakes that allready have them are working just fine, but what about the boundry waters? or the many many lakes that don't need a slot. If that guy over there wants to keep 12 inchers thats his gig. Just because of a few bad apples you dont throw the hole lot away.

[Finlander]

There is a 15" minimum lenght for walleye's on Lake Osakis for the last 10+ years.

I think this has help enormously the walleye's not only in improved numbers, but I now see more trophy size fish than ever in this lake.

With the statewide limit of one walleye over 24" and a 15" minumum, I think this would benifit all walleye lakes in Minnesota.

Before the 15" minimum went into effect on Osakis, there were years of really slow catch rates and I would pull my boat out of there to fish lakes nearby just to catch some walleyes to eat. Now I have 20+ a day catches!

I'm for 15" minimum and one walleye over 24"s statewide!

[gwiff100]

Again i am just looking for opinions here. Me personally... i maybe keep 10 fish all year, no opinions or beliefs behind it just not much interested in packing my freezer with fish, some people love fish and thats what they want, and thats why there are state regulations. To each thier own. I love CPR, but others dont. The mindset i hate to hear is that i keep them because if i dont someone else will...If you keep them thats fine, but each individual plays a role in the big picture. One lake to point to (never fished it so im just using it as an example) is leech, granted they had some environmental impacts as well, but if i remember right there is now a slot on that lake and it has rebounded well.

In closing, each lake is different. But each lake can have the opportunity to be improved. My opinion. I would love a state wide slot on inland waters. Doesn't mean that has to be your opinion.

[gregg52]

one thing i see in these threads

is guys talking bout basically isolated events

you need to look at the big pics and the averages

little more realistic

not one guy watching one guy keeping a couple of 12 or 22 inch fish

as i said i think the fishing is pretty good in most of the lakes i fish

if i can't catch fish i'm not asking to change the slot or make some new rule because i got skunked

either i need to be a bettr fisherman and learn the lake better or go to a different lake

thats why i like Winnie its easy to catch fish slots or no...lol

i live 5 mins from gull and have fished and caught lots of walleyes there

but its way easier on winnie...IMO

[LightningBG]

Anyone else in favor of this? Maybe there is more politics to it than i thought, but why wouldnt a State Wide Slot benefit everyone? 14-19 in slot with 1 over 28 or something like that? Would allow those little 12's that i've been watching people keep to grow all the while keeping the better genetics alive and well in the local lakes.

I'm not sure I get this....

how would throwing back a 12in fish and keeping a 16in fish help anything? Are these 12 inchers doing anything the 16in fish isn't?

I would think you would want everyone keeping little ones and leave the bigger ones for you. I understand if all the 12in fish are taken, they will never get to 16, but if all the 16 are taken, they will never get to 19, so its a moot argument.

[usmtsrocks]

I personally dont like keeping walleyes over 18-19". I would love to see a 4 fish limit with a 18-24" slot. 1 over 24". I am not ashamed to keep a 13-14" eye. Your best eating walleyes are those 13-17" fish. It all depends the lake. It's habitat, food source, population..it all comes into play. Each lake is different and it would be tough to set a new statewide slot limit and make everyone happy.

[WollMan]

There is a 15" minimum lenght for walleye's on Lake Osakis for the last 10+ years.

I think this has help enormously the walleye's not only in improved numbers, but I now see more trophy size fish than ever in this lake.

With the statewide limit of one walleye over 24" and a 15" minumum, I think this would benifit all walleye lakes in Minnesota.

Before the 15" minimum went into effect on Osakis, there were years of really slow catch rates and I would pull my boat out of there to fish lakes nearby just to catch some walleyes to eat. Now I have 20+ a day catches!

I'm for 15" minimum and one walleye over 24"s statewide!

Totally agree. I hate keeping those smaller 12-13 inchers. And I really hate watching other boats keeping them and hearing the guys talk about how big it is!. Slots work, period. Every lake is different but every lake would respond well to having a slot.

Personally I like a state wide minimum of 15" and one over 24-26". And make the limit 4/person.

[DonBo]

Wisconsin has had a statewide 15" minimum limit for years, and IMHO it has worked out great. Other than a few of the big "walleye factory" lakes in MN, I'd put the walleye fishing in most any WS lake up against most any lake in MN for numbers and size.

[snowfighter]

One thing a state wide slot would do is take pressure off lakes without slots, example years back when they put the slot on Winny, Round Lake without at that time by Squaw Lake got hit hard then guess what slot was put on Round.At that same time I was a property owner on Bowstring and recieved in the mail a survey from the DNR asking if I was infavor of a slot on Bowstring I repleyed yes, it never happened. They put it on alot of the lakes around the area but not there.Wondering what there reason was I called the Dnr in Grand Raids and asked, they told me they didn't have enough public support to do Bowstring. Huh are you managing the fish or doing a popularity contest.

[bigtime]

I think it is fine right where we are at already... 6 fish limit with 1 over 20 inches works great IMO... The problem is most people don't know the 1 fish over 20 inch slot is on EVERY lake in MN that doesn't already have speical regs...

[Koepper08]

The thing is I don't see anything wrong with taking a couple 20"+ fish out of a lake that is stocked and depends 100% on DNR stockings...They don't survive well anyways, you catch one by accident might as well fillet it out. A minimum is also a pain, I like the regs how they are. If anything bump it down to a limit of 4...

[loupepsi]

What size walleye female is the ideal baby producer? I rest my case