How do you screw up a great walleye fishery? I will tell you...

[Superman_Mike]

While relpying to a different thread about last nights dinner I was reminded how they screwed up my Walleye lake.

I am bothered by this for obvious reasons.

Total daily bag for Walleyes = 3

No minimum size limit. (take all you want foreigners)

Fish 14-18 inches in length are 100% protected, you may not keep one even if you kill it by accident.

One fish over 18" is allowed.

Mike doesnt fish that lake anymore, and I have made my opinion known to anyone who will listen, and many who had no desire to listen heard it anyway.

I only took fish that I was going to eat in the next 24 hours, I dont believe in freezing fish (there are obvious exceptions to this rule) because I think you loose alot in taste and texture.

So, now if I want to make a meal of fish, I cant.

I refuse to keep a fish under 14", its wrong. I used to keep 16" and up to 21", and release the rest. Now if I did that they could take my boat and pickup.

No thanks, I will change lakes.

[Tie_Rod]

When I fished Wisconsin and Minnesota lakes while living in that area for 20 years I did the same thing except for the one I took home for dinner if it was big enough and legal.

Walleyes were my favorite. Small mouth Bass 2nd. I didn't much care for Northerns or Muskies for eating. Once caught a 40lb. Muskie using a Flat Fish Artificial. Weighed it on my tackle box fish scale, had my fishing buddie take a picture of it with me holding it, then released it. I still have the picture on my wall, blown up to 8 1/2 X 11" so it looks even bigger than it really was.

Three years later I took my Father to the same place on the lake (Flambeau Flowage) I had caught that big Muskie after he retired from United Airlines. (I had put an "X" on the side of the boat to mark the spot)

Well, whaddya know? We pretty well agree that he hooked the same Muskie! Weighed in at 43 lbs. using the same old fish scale, took a picture of him holding it then released it. Only this time he was using live bait, I was still casting with my favorite Flat Fish.

He had fished his whole life and never before had caught a Muskie. It was his first and last.

He died of Cancer 2 years later.

There's a lot to be said of catch and release. There is no way I can express my gratitude to that Muskie for taking his bait instead of mine. A cherished memory for both of us.

I've always wondered if that Muskie ever learned from those experiences and lived to a ripe old age.

[Chiefwhatdahey]

Northern are a better tasting fish in my book..........if you bleed em and bone em properly:cool:

[Superman_Mike]

thank GOD there are more than 1 book. HA HA HA HA

[Superman_Mike]

Chief, isnt that kind of like Halal meat for fish? I dont suppose you get your fish blessed first also do you?

[Chiefwhatdahey]

After fighting a northern to the boat, unwrapping it from the net, avoiding those nasty teeth and hooks and I'm the one that isn't bleeding then yes I consider it a blessing:D I also toast my catch with a room temperature can of Blatz beer for good fortune:cheers:

[Chiefwhatdahey]

Don't get me wrong Walleye is good eating but they're finicky and don't fight like Northern do. There's an abundance of Northern out there for the simple fact folks are afraid to eat them, they don't know the proper way to remove the y bones. The bleeding thing I learned of recently applies to all fish, it makes all fish much tastier. That yamulke, robe and chanting are just for show:D

[Superman_Mike]

as long as all thats just for show........then ok i dont think its too weird.

I would like to hear how to actualy filet those stinky slimy things and get the bones out, and bleeding them IS interesting.

[rogernoel]

I leave northerns on the dock to feed the eagles.