Where R the PIGS?

[WalleyeSnob]

I have been up to Low a couple of time so far this year and have yet to catch a true pig or even here about any coming out<BR>last year it seemed that everyone was getting them.<BR>after having lunch with a local dnr rep <BR>he was saying he noticed the same thing and was getting quite worried about the fishery with people fileting all these huge fish <BR>is it just me or has anyone else noticed that the big fish just arent as plentiful as years past ?<BR>also interested on what everyone's big fish of the year is so far<BR>i dont have one over 6 lbs yet<BR>which is frusturating after spending a lot of hours out there

[Hammer-Smites]

I think a lot of it may have to do with what they're chasing around and feeding on. There wasn't much of a shiner run last fall, and as a result, the fishing on the river wasn't as good as it had been in the past.<BR>The fall before had an excellent shiner run into the river, and the early ice fishing was awesome for big fish.<BR>Just a theory.

[curt quesnell]

I have seen more 7 to 9 pound Walleyes this<BR>year than I have ever seen, and nearly all<BR>were released.<P>Not much for biggees this fall around Pine<BR>though, I think it is a water level-food <BR>issue not a no big fish left issues<P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

[Buckets]

Walley Snob, 12pounder and several in the 7 to 10 pound at Gull Rock. <BR>Oh yeah are you counting burbout The sad part is my buddys wife wanted to try it so we cleaned a couple and now It's " don't trow any of those away" ); serious.

[JZ]

Keeping too many big fish! In the last 7 years the lake has been raped by the launches and there keeping of the 24-26 inchers. Launches are very effective at catching fish. It's not good! They Just have to keep that one over 19". They should change the fishing limit to 4 fish any combination with 3-4 under 18" and a the ability to take a 30+ for the wall! no fish between 18-30" at least for 5 years. I know first hand that there is some concern from the DNR but the resorts have alot of pull and want the limit to stay the same. The thinking is that its your right to keep fish well that thinking is wrong. It should be its your Duty to keep the fishery healthy! Take a picture!!!!!!

[WCT]

<BR> WalleyeSnob;<BR> I too am concerned about too many big walleyes being kept. However, two trips to LOW without a 6lb'er or better is hardly cause for too much alarm. There is quite a large percentage of anglers who have NEVER caught a walleye over 6lbs., regardless of where they fish. I'm pretty sure I know the "DNR representative you mentioned and while his heart is in the right place and intentions good he is prone to embellish the facts. Good luck on your next trip, hope get that 10. Ol Sneller

[WalleyeSnob]

guys thanks for the comments<BR>curt <BR>you are giving me some hope when i hear reports like yours<BR>this post was not intended to create controversy in any way but i just havent been hearing about many big fish lately <BR>i think we all just need to think about the sizes of the fish we are keeping <BR>their is nothing wrong with taking one for the wall <BR>just use some common sense <BR>the dnr guy i was talking to had pretty strong feelings about not keeping any fish over 19.5 <BR>he was interesting to talk to <BR>to say the least <BR>keep the reports on big fish coming please <BR>

[Mudcutter]

Hey 32,<BR>I think most people would rather see 10 guys cleaning a limit of 12-13" eyes' and sauger than 4 guys cleaning 3 23". Just my thought.

[curt quesnell]

JZ,<P>The Charter boats have been on LOW for waaay<BR>more than 7 years. You are right in the fact<BR>that they do catch fish BUT "Raping" the lake is a strong term(and the wrong term)for legal harvest.<P>As you know, limits were up for change in<BR>Minnesota last year and some limits WERE<BR>changed but they found no good reason to<BR>change the limit on Walleye.<P>LOW is such a great fishery that if you dont<BR>catch at whopper every time up you wonder<BR>whats going on. Many, many year classes in<BR>the "big" fish range are out there biting<BR>and being returned to lake.<P>There were some water quality issues this<BR>summer that had DNR official scratching <BR>their heads but in many interviews I have<BR>done in the last 2 years with Baudette <BR>DNR office, the news has been only positive.<P>Last year our 435,000 pound harvest target<BR>was nearly doubled due to the great ice<BR>fishing year we had. Even that, they said,<BR>would have no negative effect on fishing<BR>or healthy fish populations.<P>Things are going great on the big lake. It<BR>is smart to consider what effects our actions<BR>now have on the future of the lake but, there<BR>is no good reason to put a negative spin on<BR>something that is working real well.<P>Due to the fact that we share the lake with<BR>Canada the fish populations and harvests are<BR>watched very closely. If someday the powers<BR>that be decide the limits need to be lowered<BR>and slots changed I would respect that and<BR>follow gladly. For example, summertime<BR>Sauger limit is 2 fish or part of an 8 fish<BR>total Walleye Sauger limit until December 1st<BR>when the 14 fish limit goes into effect. So<BR>you see the limits can and do change as deemed necessary.<BR> <BR>If you like a 4 fish limit and a 30 inch one<BR>over slot feel free to impose that on yourself. There is no good reason to do that<BR>now on LOW. <P>By the way, it IS your right to fish within<BR>the law in Minnesota.<P>Finally, your estimation of the "Clout"<BR>the resorts have on the DNR is over estimated. The DNR serves at the leisure of the Legislature and the Governor not resort owners. <P>Dont get me wrong JZ, I welcome your comments<BR>and feel the topic is an important one. I<BR>would encourage more input from you or others.<P>Thanks again<P><P>------------------<BR>Curt Quesnell<BR>NorthCountry Outdoors Radio

[Buckets]

I believe JZ has a point, launch's have been around a long time but the skills have greatly advanced with technology. Downrigging alone is and has been contraversal . To a novice or weekend fisherman is one thing but to professional people who practice about every day with a boatful of people and can power out to remote places when the old haunts arn't working is something else. <BR>I have to believe that adversely affects the walleye population. Also I have only been on a launch once when invited for free so this is mostly just what I've heard from a lot of others.

[gkl]

I'm not an expert, and I'm a big advocate of catch and release, but if you take a look at the 9/02 DNR survey of LOW, it appears that the fishery is in fantastic shape. Specifically, it indicates the Walleye population to be the best in 10 years. You can find the survey by going to the lakefinder page of the DNR website. Obviously, even a lake like LOW could be overfished, but it appears it is handling the current pressure level just fine. As long as everyone releases most of those big girls, I think we'll be fine.

[fishmeister_86]

I SAT IN A MEETING DICUSSING NEW REGS ON SMALLMOUTH ON RAINY WITH THE DNR, AND BELIEVE YOU ARE GOING TO SEE NEW REGS ON LOW AS OF MAY 2005, AS THIS WAS DISCUSSED., NOT SURE WHAT THEY WILL BE, BUT I'M PRETTY SURE LOW REGS WILL BE CHANGED. AS FOR SMALLIES WE WOULD LIKE TO SEE A CATCH & RELEASE SEASON, STARTING ON WALLEYE OPENER THRU JUNE 30, AND THEN OPENED TO TAKE SMALLIES THRU SEPT 15, THEN CLOSED UNTIL THE NEXT MAY. WE SUPPORT THIS ALONG THE BORDER WATERS.<BR> SINCERELY,<BR> FISHMIESTER

[32 degrees]

My girlfriend and I were up this past weekend. I have never caught as many females as we caught this weekend. At least 8 over 20", the biggest being 26". Generally we get 1 or 2 running between 20" and 30". It was very impressive. The thing that bothers me is when I get back to the lodge and see 10 guys cleaning limits of 12-13" walleyes and saugers. I just dont get it.... We go up for the chance at the big ones, not for fillets.... But thats just me I guess.

[bigeyes]

Walleye snob-Not sure if it is true, but the fella from Baudette Motel told us this year has been a great year for big fish. He said 4 walleyes over 14 pounds were taken this summer. At any rate, I have been comming to the lake 2-3 trips a year for the last 10+ years and have never caught a walleye over 2 pounds. Sombody from our group usually does, but usually only 1 or 2 in 3 days of our group fishing hard. Even way back 10 years ago big fish were just as rare, in fact I think they were more rare. Still lots of fun and I actually prefer to keep those 12 inch fish over the bigger stuff, they are about perfect for the pan.

[JZ]

Here is another thing. In the past 3 years i have seen lessened population of walleyes. I beleive you can attribute this to a few things. Many vacation plans were changed after 9/11. For the most part people stayed around a took advantage of there local resources. Which put alot of extra pressure on the lake. Also spending was down for big fishing trips into canada so more people used lake of the woods. Which is a great thing. For the local economy. However I know one thing that is for sure the walleye populations are good right now but not great like 2-3 years ago. These populations are going to slowly slip. I don't beleive that this is a natural shift it is being affected by fishing pressure. All they have to do is rework the limits alittle. It's so simple and would make the lake even a better fishery. Not to worry though as fishing gets worse there will be less pressure! Which will help stabilize the lake. Maybe someday it will be full of crappies!!!! NOT

[32 degrees]

I just wanted to clarify a few things. First of all we do NOT keep the females. I KNOW alot of people do. I see the pictures all over the walls of all the resorts up there. If more people understood the importance of releasing those fish it would not even be an issue. I think alot of people have a home/away from home mentality. They think to themselves,"Its Lake of the Woods, its OK to keep females, its a big lake." It should be ok to keep one for the wall at some point. But then again, you could take a picture and get a replica. Its not ok, on any lake, anywhere, anytime, to keep bigger walleyes for the freezer. There is alot of fisherman who just need to become more educated on the subject. The females in the mid 20's" range are the most important fish in any fishery and they need to be protected. Especially in a lake like Lake of the Woods that has the ability the grow fish well into the 30" class. Ok, I got that off my chest. I love going up there and will continue to until the end of my days. Its a great place to fish and I hope it stays that way.

[bapperpimp]

I have a self-imposed walleye limit. Anything over 19 inches go back in the lake for another day. Keep a few to eat and try to spread the word about CPR. Once I get the 32 inch, maybe this year, a replica is getting made. GOod luck to all.

[Buckets]

A 4pound fish is big and I don't keep any over 5 . In 20+ years of fishing there I have only seen a dozen or so,, so this is nothing new to me. This last trip though did produce a lot of small fish, we have a rule that they have to reach accross the top of a bucket and a couple ,,, we stretched. very tasty though. <BR>I do have a 7 pound on the wall, my biggest, and Hope that I don't get one over 10 cause it would go up too and costxxxx!

[Mudcutter]

I understand that any lake is very sensitive to fishing pressure. Basically by just fishing one ice hole for hours you can tell a difference in moving just 20-30 yards away. Same in the spring when fish get pounded in current areas. <BR>Last Jan a buddy and I went out of Adrians and drove to the end of the road past pine island. About 7 or so miles out. 30+' of water. it was very cold and the ice was near extension thickness, and our auger wasn't working properly. Safe to say, we wern't going to drill 50 holes to find the active fish. We drilled 4 holes in the middle of a frozen wasteland and came 2 fish from our limit with a 23 and a 24" in 10 hours of fishing over 2 days. We threw back countless fish. The US portion of LOTW is nearly a million acres, the Canuck side is at least twice that. That's bigger than states on the East coast. Lakes 10 times smaller or more-- Mile Lacs, Vermillion, Rainy etc (yes with a slot) still continue to be world class walleye lakes. I'am for a slot on LOTW. But the pigs are there. It's too big for them not to be. <BR>P.s if you want a better chance at a pig- fish the river. Not as many numbers, but in my view you chances for a pig go up.

[Kingfisher]

Where are the pig's? They are in the lake. In case our memory is failing us we only need to go back to Curt's post of "100 walley", last post 9/23/03. Winter fishing has improved tremendously in the last 30 years. Yesterday at Long Point my partner and I caught between 50 and 60 walleye/sauger, a normal catch for a day. I remember a few years back when 1 fish an hour was common. This past summer we cr'd 25 walleye a day in the 4#-9# range, taking home a few nice eaters also. Its a great lake and seems to be getting better each year.

[Dr. Bob]

I saw some Pigs in a bar in Baudette once.<P>

[JZ]

Dr. Bob which lake were you at?

[Dr. Bob]

Not too sure.................It was kinda foggy out.

[JIGSTER]

Look at most resorts that post reports they hammered the big walleyes downrigging this summer.What I don't get is when you see pictures with 4-5 guys all holding 28-30 in. eyes.Don't try to tell me this does not impact the fishery.On a summer mourning sit by Pine Island and count the big white boats heading out into the lake day in and day out. Most with 4-6 people on board. On the other hand it isn't just the big fish.I just got back from the pond,its unreal how many pails of 13 inchers you see in the cleaning shack.To each there own,but most of these people I feel would not keep this size of fish on their local lakes.My blood pressure is going up, time to go!!!Good fishin' Jigster

[Guest]

There are still many Pigs out there. I have put back a 27 & 28" so far this winter. The charter fishing with down riggers is what is killing the big fish. Most of the charter boats do not stop or slow down when they have a fish on, they just keep on going. By the time that a fish is realed in it can be easily drowned (yes fish can drown). So with many larg fish being caught, even though they may be released, many large fish end up dead.

[jigemup]

i dont know where you guys are fishing but i see nothing wrong with the size and sheer numbers of fisjh i am catching

[widetrack]

Mepps5,<P>Same with Saugers... It doesn't matter if they reduce the harvest limit in the summer.<BR>The riggers jerk them from 30+ feet and have them skip to the boat. Dead, released or not.<P>Riggers are bad for the lake.

[JIGSTER]

By the way I forgot to mention the biggest fish I caught and released was a 28.5 incher so yes,they still are there. Merry X-mas and Good fishin' Jigster

[WalleyeSnob]

glad to hear some people are getting some good size fish<BR>hopefully one of these days real soon i will be able to post about one <BR>are you guys getting them mainly shallower?<BR>or is it just one of those things where they are mixed in with all the other small ones and you just have to keep hammering through the little dinks?<BR>where do you guys see most of the big fish coming out this time of year for ice fishing ??<BR>last year it seemed early on it was pine island<BR>

[perchlips]

Hey lips, nice fish at 28.5, to bad its<BR>going to look pretty small to the one I'm<BR>catching this week. Merry Chirstmas!