Buffalo?

[jigginjim]

Some poeple think they are great walleye anglers when they can catch a limit of 11" eyes.

[davesfriend]

I agree. 14" to 15" min would be a good idea.And keep your limits to what you or your family will eat. It doesn't do much good to have a freezer full of fish when others are out to get dinner.

[federline]

 Originally Posted By: jigginjim

Some poeple think they are great walleye anglers when they can catch a limit of 11" eyes.

As eyebjim calls the short-bus DNR walleyes, they are "Bass-walleyes". And BTW, they are still out there, growing, and some of them are getting smarter and spitting baits with regularity.

[fishinalot]

I would like to see all lakes that are stocked by the DNR have a minimum size of 15" and a limit of 3 walleyes. After all we are the ones funding them. Most people would be full eating a couple of 15" eyes.

If the state waits much longer, our fisheries and economics will be in for it!

Most resorts were struggling last year because of the economy, lack of walleyes next??......It would not be good!

[gemNeyeJoe]

I would love to see a slot limit on buffalo! maybe if enough of us and moan the DNR may consider it

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[Kyle Sandberg]

You guys need to remember this is brought up every year. We say the same thing but its up to the DNR to decide. Remeber, there a Montrose fisheries worked that frequents this site. I'm shure he's heard it all plus some.

[fishinalot]

If hes on the site , thats great! If people really want to do something about this I advise everyone to call the Montrose Fisheries Dept. They are the ones that determine the slot or minimum size limit.

A few years ago they had surveys, and they went with the vote of 60% favoring no slot or minimum size limit.

The votes came from fisherman coming off the lake that were both Drunk and Sober!!

Do you suppose they could talk to a few biologists that arn't drunk and get a good feel of the situation????

[jigginjim]

Slot sizes and lower limits sounds good. But the meat guys would still bring home limit after limit.

[sticknstring]

Where are all these dink walleyes people are catching?? I want in! I haven't caught a single one. Of course I really haven't been targeting them either... 13" walleyes don't get me very excited. The crappies sure have been going good though... Anyone gonna be fishing the contest this weekend?

[fishinalot]

Hopefully, the dinks quit biting and not fished out!

[federline]

I'd love to have a magic spot for catching the 'eyes on Buffalo for you, but fact is, the ice angler pressure on this lake scatters them far and wide right now, especially from Sat midday through Sun night. Sat overnights have not been nearly as good as midweek. Those 'eyes caught are almost always out roaming away from the noise. You'll know when you are in the pattern when you also catch one or two 11"-13" crappies, nothing smaller, too. Patterns can be found Tue to Fri. We're averaging 5 keeper 'eyes per overnight, with a bonus bull crappie or two, overall. It takes many hours-worth of quiet fishing away from the crowd to get it done.

[jigginjim]

Jim, Did you guys put your perm out on buffalo? I have caught most of my small eye while fishing crappies.

[fishgutz77]

just typing out loud here guys but a state wide 15" min. would be great. I go crazy when I see someone keep a 12"fish. this would end all the confusion of county by county and lake by lake stuff. The balance of a lake is hard enough to maintain let alone take out the small eyes or perch. I get over to buffalo about 2-3 times a year and always manage to squeak out a few fish but noticed alot of the larger ones have that skin sarcoma have you guys seen this as well. there are some really nice fish in buffalo but they are leary, getting away from the crowds is the way to do it.

[jigginjim]

The Gov. would have a hard open if they couldn't keep a 12" fish. LOL

[federline]

Yah jim, we brought the perm back from ML three weeks ago. It has been a smart move, both in expense reduction, ice time, and fishing action, too.

I haven't been crappie pounding yet, still working overnight walleye areas, picking up enough size for a family meal each week, and getting at least one pig each week.

[fishgutz77]

And we all know what a great hook the gov is right. LOL

[Jacob]

whoops looks like some pictures are upsidedown and sideways. Gerry is this what your talking about? I have caught a few with these growths on them, this was a real fat one I caught last week on Buffalo.

On another note, my neighbor picked up this giant the next day on the same spot. It was a wild long ride on his rod and reel, you can see the girth on the release photo.

http://img172.imageshack.us/img172/751/02040824inchjw9.th.jpg

[walleyeking19]

nice fish! how big is that northern?

[Jacob]

38", I wish I would have gotten the girth on that girl because she was real hefty.

[gemNeyeJoe]

that's a dandy walleye too! do u know what causes those growths? does it affect if they're eatible or not?

[fishgutz77]

the dnr says they are fine to eat. I just cut out the discolored parts if there are any. Nice fish big fella, Is that the one you were gonna show me earlier in the week? most of the lakes around here still hold a handful of big pike that are very shy and hard to hook up, thats a beauty. alot of the larger fish have this skin condtion, is this from the handling the stocking process? or the release of fish mishandled? or natural? could be many causes. I wish a fish biologist would post somthing on this.

[fishersofmen]

Went out this morning, maybe its just me but seems to have slowed way down drilled holes all over the lake and had a hard time marking anything.

[sticknstring]

Nice pike Jacob.

Yep... she's slowin down out there. All good things must come to an end. I've been noticing many of the larger crappies have a skin blemish on their sides as well. Not sure what it is but it's only skin deep as the fillets are fine. Interesting...

[jigginjim]

Maybe time to go looking for other ponds that have seen little to no pressure.

[federline]

Sure has been a lot of perm house movement out there...

[eyebjim]

As in off the lake or just musical fish houses?

[federline]

Both, Jim... the herd is thinning and many of those left are scouting!

[eyebjim]

A thinning heard is definitley a good thing. Thanks, now all I will see in my head when out there will be a heard of buffalo. With the slower bite I don't blame them for scouting.

[jigginjim]

Sometimes scouting can put you on those nomad fish. Maybe time to go to spawn areas.