Walleye Mount

[Ryan84*]

I have a few questions regarding mounting a walleye (that has not been caught yet ) First, what are the proper procedures after catching a fish you want to mount? (Storage, freezing, ect.)Next, what are the restrictions on bringing a fish back from Canada? Last, I live is SW Minnesota and was wondering if anybody has had their fish mounted around this region of the state? THANKS

[wahoo]

If a skin mount, get your taxidermist lined up and they will explain proper handling. If a replica, the web sites can tell you what they need as far as photos, etc.

It used to be the fish could be brought back from canada as part of a limit.

[smeese]

Go replica......no hassle with a fish that needs to be carefully frozen and kept intact, Get a couple pics and some meassurements and save the freezer space.....and the fish gets to swim another day.

[jerkbait]

Normaly just freeze in a garbage bag. Cut a piece of cardboard and fold in half to put over the tail to help protect when frozen. Put cardboard over tail before putting in bag. Lay flat in freezer.Can be brought back as part of your limit. Most lakes allow you 1 trophy fish. And get want you want, skin mount or replica. Not what others think you should get.

[TruthWalleyes]

There is a guy in worthington that does fantastic work based on the reviews on HSO. Mount It

[DaMoose]

I usually will get an old bath towel wet, not dripping wet, and wrap the fish tightly. Use caution to make sure the fins are laying flat and pinch the tail together. Then fold the excess towel over the tail to protect it, then lay flat in the freezer. I did this for a buddy's bass, and it was in the freezer for 7 years before going to the taxidermist. He asked the taxidermist how it was and he did not believe it was frozen for 7 years.

[wahoo]

Exactly the procedure I used on the one skin mount I have. A fish brought back from Canada nearly 30 years ago and still (the mount) in excellent shape. since then, all replicas.

[Ryan84*]

Thanks for the great info guys(as always). I'm set on a skin mount and will look into the guy from Worthington.

[crothmeier]

Bob Wednt from Mankato does excellent work. He did my walleye. he has a HSOforum if you google him. I laid mine on a 2x4, cardboarded the tail and dry iced it on the way home from canada.

[Ryan84*]

Chris, i was going to ask you this weekend about your mount. I know you have told me before but I forgot. Now all you have to do is put me on the fish.

[mainbutter]

A note on transporting:

If you have the extra space for a styrofoam cooler, bring one. They're unbelievable for insulation, and it'll add extra protection for your fish. I've used cheap styrofoam coolers and $5 of ice from a gas station to transport various fish for dinner on 6 hour drives, and they've worked beautifully.

Nothing quite like the advice of the taxidermist you're going to use though!

[Ryan84*]

Well, I think I caught the fish I want to mount last night. 26" 7.1 lbs. Fat with beatfiful colors. I wrapped it in a wet towel and put it on a 1"x6" in the freezer. I'm going to fish this same spot the rest of the fall was my original plan. First time out BANG.....

[Trouthunter]

Just a friendly reminder - the fish in your freezer counts as your "1 over 20" in possession" limit. Sounds like this spot produces some big fish, but as long as this one is in the freezer - it's catch and release on the big ones.

[harvey lee]

Thanks for the great info guys(as always). I'm set on a skin mount and will look into the guy from Worthington.

I can promise you that you will not regret the work that Brian does at Almberg Taxidermy.

I had Brian do some work for me and it took the exact time he quoted and the price was reasonable.

The work was beyond awesome.

[Ryan84*]

How long can i keep the fish in my freezer without having an issue?

[Trouthunter]

My best guess is until it's no longer considered a fish (edit) Actually, that begs a good question. If the fish is filleted, does the original size still count towards possession limit? I'm guessing so.

[Down Deep]

Don't just leave it wrapped in a towel as it will be subject to freezer burn which will cause discoloration of the skin. Wrap it tightly in a heavy mill plastic bag. Also, make sure that the side of the fish you want to display is not laying on the board. I agree that it is up to you to decide if you want a skin mount or a replica.

Congrats on the big fish.

[Jarrid Houston]

Replica=Fish lives, memory intact, last longer, and looks better! Just my thoughts! but you have the right to do what you want! gd Luck!!

[panfishpounder00]

as a guide i always promote catch & release, and a replica mount is a better way to go. with that said, make sure you get the legnth and girth along with a photo of the fish. this will give the taxidermist the best look at the fish. if you do go skin mount, the best way to care for it is to wrap it in a damp towel laid flat in a freezer for no more than a week. keep in mind however, that a frozen fish will lose some weight and such due to the fact that most objects are 75% water and that weight will go with the freezing aspect and may cause a fish to look smaller than it actually was. also the drying process of a skin mount also may cause this to show. also, the trophyy fish in one persons eye will be different in anothers. my trophy would have to be a 30" walleye in order for it be a mountable fish, but again that my preferance. also make sure to shop around for taxidermists, see if they have mounts already on hand to look at, afterall half the process is the airbrush work and the care for the fish. this will give you a good idea on what kinda work they do. hope this helps!

[Ryan84*]

Great info panfish.

[2k1stang]

Where are you at in SW MN? I know there's a guy around Jeffers, there's a guy in Redwood, and there was a guy in New Ulm about 20 years ago but I don't know if he's still in business.

One of my neighbors just took a 9 lb. walleye to the guy in Redwood. Kind of a funny story about that. He caught it on the Cottonwood River behind his house. After he caught it, he called his dad and told him to bring out a cooler full of water as he was still sitting at the river.

[Ryan84*]

Springfield, my fish was caught in the cottonwood as well.

[2k1stang]

Go out to Richert's and ask them. When I bought my fishing license this year Zach was talking to another guy about his taxidermist. I forget who it was, but they could probably give you at least 5 good taxidermists in the area.

[muc33]

A walleye from Almberg Taxidermy, very very nice!! Here is what you get....

And here is what the fish looked like right out of the water.

[harvey lee]

Very nice eye and mount Chad. Looks very nice in the man barn.

brian does do some awesome work with his fish and critters.