Spawning success

[wakina]

The thing that does't add up is why are we reducing the limit to 4 during the spawn if it makes no difference. Sort of talking out of both sides of the mouth if you ask me.

I think the following copy and paste from the article addresses your concern as to why the limit is lowered during the spawn. It can be found slightly more than half way thru the article.

Most of the fish(high 90's%) caught jigging during the spawn are jacks/males. The trollers are the fishermen who catch most of the big hens/females. In order to catch those big hens/females one almost has to target them specifically by trolling crank baits in the deeper waters surrounding the reef areas.


Copy & Paste

Walleyes are concentrated to somewhat confined areas, where localized over-exploitation could occur to specific spawning stocks. Lowering the bag limit during the spawning season is in place is to minimize potential impacts on sub-populations.

[gregnwtf]

Wakina is right on ! The lake is plenty busy and most of the fish are in a confined area during April. Fish can be caught fast ( on a good day )and there have been plenty of cases for people overbagging. The marina parking lots are full every morning with empty boat trailers and the gut dumpsters are full. This doesnt happen in late summer. I have no problem with the 4 walleye per day in March / April. The smallmouth bass numbers have declined over the years, simply the bass numbers are down. There are some big bass out there and if people only kept one nice big bass to mount and let the rest go, it would help alot.

[EYEFISH4FOOD]

Wakina... Thank you very much for all the info. I am looking forward to this spring bite thing. I'm getting ready to go back and do some ice fishing for the last time this up coming weekend. Really looking for the soft water bite. I will keep in touch with you guys throughout the seasons. Thank you so much for willingly giving up some info to a new guy.

[FishOn205]

Good article wakina ... I know this debate gets heated up every year and hopefully it wont get to crazy this year

[Bggeary]

I have a question, it's not about walleye but bass and how the closed season for them was started? Was it for the spawn?

[Eyezcrazy]

I have a question, it's not about walleye but bass and how the closed season for them was started? Was it for the spawn?

I believe it is for the spawn and the main difference is that bass aggressively protect their nest from predators like gobies and such.

[Hoytman86]

I have a question, it's not about walleye but bass and how the closed season for them was started? Was it for the spawn?

Bass actually guard their nests whereas walleye spawn and leave. Not sure how or if this matters but I'm no biologist.

Edit: I missed page two. Very informative, West Basin. I can't stand the damn gobies.