Muskies Inc.-like org. for walleyes?

[Chode2235]

Its pretty amazing with M inc. has been able to do to dramatically improve muskie fishing opportunities.

Is there a comparable organization for walleyes/walleye fisherman?

[Acemac]

WFAM

yep its called Walleye Fisherman Against Muskies

/pot stirred

[ccarlson]

There is a group that started about 13 years ago called the Minnesota Walleye Alliance. It started in the metro area and then a group of us started a chapter in the Brainerd area. The original metro chapter is no longer around from what I have heard but the Brainerd Chapter still exists and does some projects like funding rearing ponds etc. and working with the DNR. They also host a fun tournament every September. If you search Minnesota walleye alliance, you will find their HSOforum.

When we first started the Brainerd Chapter of the Mn Walleye Alliance, statewide stocking had declined beginning in 1993 and fishing was suffering greatly on many lakes that relied on stocking to produce good walleye fishing by around 1997. I'm not talking about little panfish lakes where stocking is not a great idea but your standard mid sized walleye lakes like Gull, Pelican, Whitefish Chain, North Long, Round etc. After we started the Brainerd Chapter, we worked extensively with the DNR to create a good working relationship and at the same time there was a groundswell of interest in increasing stocking statewide to recover some of what had declined. You may remember some traveling roundtable meetings across the state where stocking was the subject. The meeting I attended I believe in 1998 was really interesting. You had guys like Gary Roach, Al Linder, Marv Koep and other legendary anglers stand up and talk about fishing history and how stocking was important to maintain walleye fishing, tourism and interest in fishing. Listening to these guys was the inspiration that we used to get about 75 people to show up to our first monthly meeting later the next spring.

Since that time stocking and management of walleye has been pretty good and I think people feel less of a need to get involved. I know the thing that took its toll on me and many of the other guys that initially got involved was the lack of new people coming forward to do the board work. Now there is a good group of guys that have kind of rekindled it in our area from what I have heard but they have wisely scaled back what we used to do in the beginning (monthly membership meetings, board meetings every 2 weeks, monthly fishing get togethers, an annual banquet, lots of projects and volunteering, the annual tournament etc.)

ccarlson

[tunrevir]

I also believe there was an organization called walleyes unlimited.

Tunrevir~

[RiverFish]

FM Walleyes Unlimited, Inc. , was founded in 1977 to promote conservation, sportsmanship and education in respect to walleye fishing in the Fargo - Moorhead area. Our club has made over $150,000 in donations to local rearing ponds and youth groups, installed docks and paid for light bills at landings.

Currently we are over 300 members strong. Monthly meetings are held at 7:00 p.m. on the 3rd Thursday of each month at the Doublewood Inn, Fargo, ND and are open to the public free of charge. Guest speakers often include professional and local experts from the walleye world. Past guests have included Dave Genz, Tony Dean, Ted Takasaki, Keith Kavajecv, Perry Good, Babe Winkelman, Mike McClelland, Dave Csanda, Gary Parsons and others.

Club activities include monthly meetings, annual Dinner Dance in January, Pelican Spring Classic Walleye Tournament in June, club picnic in August, Cormorant Fall Classic Walleye Tournament in September, Pathways to fishing for youth groups and monthly Club Outings held April thru August.

[Stick in Mud]

Yeah, I think it's called the DNR.

[coombia21]

Riverfish can you send more information about your club to me. I am a student at ndsu and I would love to help out and attend the club.

[tolle141]

WFAM

yep its called Walleye Fisherman Against Muskies

/pot stirred

Hey now...

What's sad is a club like that might get more numbers...

I don't want to stir the pot more. I just wonder if walleye fishing would be "better" if some walleye anglers were as adamant as musky and bass anglers about releasing their fish... Man is, after all, the greatest/worst predator out there.

The idea for a conservation-oriented club is a great idea and it's great to hear there are options out there for the CPR anglers. It's incredible seeing what targeted management by our DNR has done to some of the fisheries. It used to be an 8lber was a huge deal. It still is a very commendable catch and something to be proud of. They're a lot more accessible nowadays than they were 10 years ago. Bravo!

[Acemac]

What's sad is a club like that might get more numbers...

I don't want to stir the pot more. I just wonder if walleye fishing would be "better" if some walleye anglers were as adamant as musky and bass anglers about releasing their fish... Man is, after all, the greatest/worst predator out there.

[Sonicrunch]

Yeah, I think it's called the DNR.

egg zack lee