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Walleye Milking


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that was you and the 2 boys at the net on Saturday?.....I was the other guy there. I stayed until they emptied the net and they said it was one of the bigger runs of suckers they have seen. there were 5 or so walleyes in the net on Saturday and there were 20 or so in the net on Sunday including some nicer sized ones including one pig that we saw as they were letting or trying to get all the fish out of the nets.

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Typically (if there was a good walleye run) they start sorting and stripping around 9-9:30 daily. Anytime earlier than that, you feel like you are in their way while they are getting set up.

I am hoping to get out towards the end of the week and see the progress.

CA

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I was down on the dock with my nephew and my dad (86 years old) stayed up by the DNR station because it would have been a tough walk for him down those steps. My nephew asked me and I forgot to ask the DNR, what do they do with all the suckers/carp they catch?

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no carp in the system!! just suckers and yes they let them go to do their thing

also they seem to get started right as the sun gets over the trees on the riverbanks and that seems to be right around 9am....I like to get there earlier than that then I can look at the nets before the guys come down to do there work.

Just remember to get out of there way when they start to work but they seem very friendly and willing to answer questions when they aren't overly busy.

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They just let the suckers go? I thought they milked them too to raise for baitshops...maybe just certain places other than the pine river?

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never heard of that......I know they use to let you take a couple if you wanted but now they just let them go......

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I'm surprised they would let rough fish back in the water. Especially 2 - 3 pound suckers that probably are too big for the walleyes to feed on and possibly too big for most northerns in the Whitefish Chain. Although, I guess once the suckers spawn little suckers make great food for the walleyes.

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the are a good forage for the system and I think they are a natural fish to the system.....there were some pushing 5-7 lbs!!

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I don't really know where I heard that...it is definitely possible my memory is playing tricks on me crazy

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Correct me if I am wrong but I thought the sucker spawns after the walleye. They like the water temp in the upper 50's. I was told that they are actually following the northern and walleyes for feeding on the spawn.

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I think you are right, suckers spawn after walleye but will make a run prior to the walleye. Not sure what for but could be a temperature and feeding situation I'm sure. Kind of like crappies coming in to shallow bays at ice out. Most people think they are their to spawn but that is at least a month after the shallow run.

ccarlson

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They should be stripping daily. If a fish isn't ripe enough when they remove them from the main net, they put them in a holding pen until their ready to go. Tomorrow should be fine. I am thinking of heading out Saturday morning. Anyone else planning as well?

Later,

CA

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should have said - I'm driving Up Friday afternoon, plan to be there about 9:00 AM Saturday

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I'm gonna miss it this year, someone take some pix to post so it makes me feel like I am seeing all the piggys again.

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Stopped by today in the afternoon. All the festivities were over, but there were still quite a few hogs in the holding pen to see. Where are all these big females when I am fishing out on the WFC?

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I am also heading there sat. morning with the kids. Hope to see you there crappieattitude.

Chad

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something came up wasnt able to get up there hopefully next week. thanks for the info

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I got word from my buddy who works down there and he said that they finally were able to start stripping yesterday. He figured tomorrow would be good. With this weather, it is probably going to be a zoo. I'll hopefully see some of you out there tomorrow.

CA

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I was there at 9 this A.M and it was awesome.Took a buddy and his 5 year old.I have pics and video I will post in the A.M.

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Cool Pictures. I went there as a kid in the 6th grade when fishing guide Royal Karels was my school teacher. That was back in 1976. That was a fun school year, aside from school work we learned how to make our own snells and tactics for Walleyes. Ah,.... the good old days. smile

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Good pics. I was up there a feww years ago its pretty neat to see. And of course you about the record sized walleyes I head stories about them for 30 years.

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