Those who have walleyes on their wall--how big are they?

[Flood_The_Pond]

What do you consider the "benchmark" for keeping and mounting a walleye? 30" and 10lbs?

Note: I do realize it is best to CPR the fish, but I'm just curious as to those who already have fish on their wall what the size range is for considering mounting a walleye.

Thanks.
FTP

[Rainman]

I always said that if it goes 10 lbs it goes on the wall! Mine was only 27.5" but went 10! I caught it in the fall, the day before it froze over! Since then I have caught many longer but not over the 10 lb mark! I will get a graghite replica made when I catch another that size!

Rainman

[Jim W]

29incher October Lake Vermilion hog photographed and framed.

Not to say I wouldn't mount a 30+ incher!

Jim W

[WallEYES]

Both caught on Mille Lacs 3 days before the Halloween snow storm... a 33" that weighed 13.2# and a 31-1/2" that weighed 12.4#. Both are full mounts in a 6 foot coffee table chasing perch. Don't ask me how much it cost, it was plenty. Both were caught long-lining #11 rainbow floating Rapalas during a new moon and northern lights lighting up the sky. It does not get any better than that for me....once in a lifetime.

[can it be luck?]

1)-29 1/2" 2)-30" 1)-31" 2)-32" 1)-33 1/2" All real, no replicas. 32" is the new cutoff line. Caught at least 75 that were 28" + in the last 3 years.

[This message has been edited by can it be luck? (edited 08-07-2003).]

[minneman]

the walleye on my wall is 28" 7.2lb. my first large eye, it was the lake, time, person i was with, and the First Ever walleye on a crank bait! (after hours of hereing him say "I think we ought to pull cranks) thats what made it a "trophy" to me. the next has to go 10+# and would definetly consider a replica.

[Dano2]

8 point buck, full rut,(huge neck, and stunk the bed of my truck up for a week, HEH!) about 120 yards, 7mm08
That was my first so I HAD to mount it, nice basket too, Oh wait, I think we were talking about fish.
I need to catch a big wally too, to put on my wall or on the shlf.
I caught one pushing 25" last week, wish it could have been just a few more inches.

[Kingfisher]

10# 2 oz. 30+", the next one will have to be over 17#.

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Keep a tight line,
Kingfisher

[Wiskers]

Well I try to promote most catch and release or encourage replicas but the replicas are about twice as much as a mount.

I do have a 10#-11#-13# walleyes on our wall mostly for advertisement value for sports shows. They range from 30" to 33". However an 11# and 13# walleye is a trophy in any case. Some people will mount much smaller fish only due to the amount of fishing they do. To them a 8# fish might be a real trophy and to each his own.

Keep that hook sharp.

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Wiskers Guiding Service
Red River & Minnesota RIver Channel Cats, Flatheads & Walleyes
Crookston, MN
[email protected]
218-280-0442

[Guest]

30.5"... 12.7# caught in the fall in the Minnesota River.

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-FNC

"If I had a job... I'd quit it."

[BDR]

Two over 30" and one very nice framed picture. Both are "hopefully" still swimming. I don't find it bad for anyone to have a mount of thier trophy.

[Guest]

I have one 29.5" 'eye that went 10# on my wall. It was caught through the ice on Buffalo Lake in December of 2000 on 4# test with a 1/32 oz jig and and a crappie minnow. It was such a perfect specimen I had to have it mounted. I don't ever usually keep any fish over 20" anymore, all get released. I was fishing with my friend WallEYES that day and it was cold and the action was mighty slow. I had really downsized my presentation due to the tough bite. I had just caught and released an 8" 'eye a few minutes before the big gal came through right at dusk. I thought I was snagged! I started yelling when I realized I had on a real hog. He was in his own shelter about 100 feet away on the same break. I was fishing in a small Fishtrap back then and was gaining a reputation for burning off my line from the heater. So he came running over and started clearing away my heater and minnow bucket and helped me ice that fish. Everytime I look at it, it reminds me of one helluva day! Would I have another one stuffed? I guess I'll answer that if I can ever top that experience. The 'glass replicas are mighty pretty too..........T

[Guest]

I have a 28.5" 10lb. Traverse Lake Beauty I caught through 4" of first ice 4 years ago. It was so fat I knew it was close to 10lbs.

We caught and released over 11 Walleyes that morning between 4 and 10 pounds--a memorable trip and not one I'd repeat (on 4" of Ice) now that I'm a Father!

I've had numerous spring-run Eye's on the Sandusky River in Ohio at 10lbs and the best was 13.9 the DNR asked me if they could strip eggs from her--they weighed her before stripping.

For some reason I don't consider big Lake Erie Walleyes as special as the ones we get here in Minnesota--I guess it's the longer growing season in Ohio and the fac that the fillets on Erie fish don't taste nearly as good to me as a MN. Walleye.

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Chells

[REA]

In a tourney, caught a fat 32 incher, but only weighed in at 9-14??? Doesn't matter, every time I see it on the wall, I smile !! The next year, I caught another 32 inch, didn't even hesitate, put her back in. Haven't come close since.

[Tour. Pro 175]

The first one was a 29" when I was young and felt that a walleye over 28" was a trophy. Many years have passed and I have caught and released many walleyes in the 28"-30" range, all beautiful fish and they are all represented by a photo in the old album. I like the idea that they are hopefully all swimming and out there for someone else to catch and have a very memorable day.

The second one was just under 32" caught two years ago on a beautiful full moon night. The fish was a huge, after some soul searching I decided to keep her. That night was on of those special nights, we boated 66 walleyes, ten over 28" and lots of 25" plus. As I look at her now I can vividly recall that night and all those special memories.

I dought I will ever keep another walleye, but if that that state record comes calling I might just have to change my mind.

Good Fishing!

[fishtrap3]

27 3/4"--7 3/4 lbs still my biggest. It was caught off shore fishing for crappies!

[Scoot]

Three cheers for all of those who reported putting back big fish!!! Hip-hip horaay! Hip-hip horaay! Hip-hip horaay!

I'm not looking to start a fight here- I don't have a problem with people keeping and mounting one or two really big fish in a lifetime (although I never would). BUT, WAY TO GO FOR RELEASING THE BIGGUNS MENTIONED! Now they're still out there for me, my wife, and my future kids to catch.
Scoot

[walleyeking#8]

29.5 inches, 10lbs. caught in Hawk Creek which flows into the minnesota river. The walleye was caught on a lindy rig which was only a 1 foot snell in about a foot and a half of water. What makes it extra special is this particular place is only about 3 blocks from my house. It was my childhood fishing hole. I had fished there for about 18 yrs. before I finally got lucky. I guess now I'd only put one on the wall if it was 11lbs or bigger.

[BLACKJACK]

How big is the state record walleye?

[Guest]

Where do you guys catch all these big walleyes? The biggest I ever caught was 25". I put it back in the water. Two days later my grandson caught a 27". It was on his 10th birthday and his first fishing trip. I had that one mounted for him.

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Be fishers of People
You catch, He Cleans

[Snowking]

28.5 10 pounds 8 oz. first time in canada first day of the 7 day trip second troll around the island. caught a 30 incher later in the week but didnt compare to the first. Smile ear to ear every time i look at it. next one has to go over 13# before ill mount another.

[can it be luck?]

Chells, You are right in regards to L Erie walleyes. When you boat as many 30 inchers in a day it starts to lose its thrill. Similar to Chequmegon Bay smallmouth. As far as a first or second trip to Erie, much different! Most people never catch them that big, so they're in "hog-heaven" so to speak. My 29 1/2" walleye from Garden Lake Mn. is all the trophy that my 33 1/2" is from L Erie. Each lake has a different trophy standard. In regards to table fare, L Erie is the only lake that I've experienced a 30" walleye tasting as good as a 18 incher. I would like to keep more 18 inchers there but all I ever get is 23" and up. Oh well, I can't complain about that!

[can it be luck?]

Minnesota state record walleye is 17.5 lbs. The fish was caught in the Seagull River, Cook county.

[fishbreath]

Here in PA. we don't have the walleye fishery like you guys up north.I consider myself lucky several years ago I caught a 29" eye while ice fishing in 55ft. of water. Yes its on the wall.

[Northlander]

To each his own but for me a eye will have to be over 32" to get a replica made. I have caught lots of eyes in the 27-32" range. Last year I got a 31.5 out of the St.Louis river and looking back I should have had a replica made. I do have pictures and measurments so I may at a later date.
A lot depends on lakes you fish, if they arent big fish lakes or rivers a 27-29" may be your trophy. Also the story behind it like a young kids 1st big fish may be a trophy. Either way I like to see them released and pictures taken, if later you want it on the wall get a replica. My 2 cents.

[vern]

WalleyeKing#8, that's the kind of trophy I'm looking for. For nostalgia reasons, I have a couple small creeks, rivers & lakes in mind that I would mount a fish out of. I probably wouldn't mount a trophy out of Erie or any other giant walleye producing lake. But I might if I get it on a creek I grew up fishing. It would mean a lot more. Even then I might release it, but I always try to carry a camera. Take lots of pictures! Replicas look nice, but I don't think I'll ever do one. I'm glad they have that option now though. I'd say 10 lbs or 30"s is a trophy on most waters. Vern

[irvingdog]

I'm ashamed with all of you guys! Mounting fish this big! Thats terrible!!!!

Are you aware of how delicious they are?!?!?!

[Jack Pine]

I have one 10.5 pounder on the wall. I caught another about the same size and didn't have it mounted.

I have caught and released loads of 7-8 pounders but those 10's come few and far between.

[Kidd]

I have zero on the wall. However, the first 30" goes into my deadwell.

[curt quesnell]

I caught a 31.5 inch 10 pound 4 ouncer and
a 29 inch 9 pounder on the same day back in
1983 and mounted em both. Since then I
have released a 32 incher after taking a
picture and several 26 to 28 inchers have
gone back after photos.

I doubt I will mount another Walleye but I
will learn how to take better pictures.

If I could tie into a 15 pounder I might
change my mind. I hope not, a picture is
much cheaper and doesnt collect as much dust.

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Curt Quesnell
NorthCountry Outdoors Radio