Deep water walleyes!!

[Tincup]

I am looking for a little help. I regularly fish a lake where they have been getting some walleyes in 45-50 feet of water. I am looking for any information or articles on catching deep water fish and their mortality. If you can see the swim bladder, will they survive? If they swim away after floating in the hole for some time, will they survive? This lake has a minimum length on the walleyes. To this point, I have refused to fish that depth due to the concern with releasing and killing these smaller or even the 20+ inch fish. Thoughts? Do these fish die or survive? The more fish they catch, walleyes and crappies, the more tempting it is to fish that depth. Should I stay with my self imposed limit of 35 feet or should I start fishing deeper?

PS: I really am curious to hear some thoughts. If this topic should be in another area, please advise.

[BuckKiller]

I personally would not fish in water any deeper then 25 for fear of killing everyfish I catch. If you can see the swim bladder that fish will NOT live. I have not had any problems with fish dying (that I know of) in 25 ft.

[Sandmannd]

Yea, that seems a little deep to be fishing them. Now if you are there to take some for the pan, go a head and fish them. But if you intend to release, I wouldn't fish that deep, most will die on you.

[2springers]

Even if you bring them up real slow like?

[hardcorefishing]

As A fishing guide the deep water Walleye bite was always a concern for me. You have to bring them up slow or they can die. I think that the mortality rate is high when fishing 30 to 60 feet and the deeper you go the worse it is. There were times when they would come up to the surface after a while and it broke my heart.

[Jim Almquist]

I totally agree with Buckiller that if you fish any deeper then 25' it better be a catch and kill lake cause they might swim away but the odds of them surviving are slim. The other thing that will contribute to the mortality is the speed bringing them up from the depths so it is better to bring them up slow so there bladders have time to adjust.

[Sandmannd]

Even if you bring them up real slow like?

From that deep you are really pushing it no matter how slow you bring them up. If you can see a swim bladder they are goners IMO.

[Tincup]

They are getting fish over 20 inches (I personally CPR any walleye over 20 inches), but the majority of fish are below the 15 inch mark. Those fish can not be kept due to regulations. If responses continue with the assumption that these fish die, should one be allowed to fish that depth?

[FISHINGURU]

i've fished for them and crappies in 40ft plus...if you rip them up they will more then likely die...but i think if you reel them up real slow and take your time you'll be alright....walleyes swim to them depths and up to the top on their own with no problems.

i've been guilty of ripping them up and seeing their insides come out of their mouth mainly because i wasn't even aware that it was a common problem....after that i took my time and just let the fish come up at close to normal speed as possible and never noticed any negative effects...but i don't know what happens after i let them go but they are just as healthy in my hands and on the release as a fish i caught in 10ft.

[BuckKiller]

yeah that may be but why chance it?

just a question... no need to get affended

[FISHINGURU]

because alot of fish in alot of lakes go to the deepest water mid season...i haven't seen anything to chance if you reel up slow.

[hhguide]

Heres what I get water pressure in lakes doubles every 36 Feet of water. So I wouldnt go any deeper than that. I was out on a lake one time and this guy was fishing in 55 feet he said. I moved shallower and caught jsut as many fish. Their was no snow on the lake as it was early season ice. When we would drop the fish back down the hole he thought he was letting them all go and they were fine. Then that night when I was done, I had a headlight on and you could see under the ice and all the deed little walleyes under the ice belly's up. I let him have it and wont ever fish that deep. Fish are always shallow someplace on the lake. If you do fish that deep learn how to fizzle fish!