15" minimum length?

[dieguy]

I was out on the St. Croix today with my 6 yr old. I am new to river fishing so I was trying to figure out how to lindy rig. We were out for 3 hours with only 1 sheephead hooked all morning when I pulled in a Sauger. It was probably 14 and 7/8" long so I let him go which upset the 6 yr old. He wanted to bring it home to show mom. I explained to him that the regs stated under 15" Walleyes needed to be returned and explained to him how this will help his future fishing trips. He came back with, "but you said that was a Sauger not a Walleye" I told him that it was the same rules but that got me wondering. In the regs it specifically states Walleye minimum 15". Do Saugers fall into this same minimum length? Just curious if anybody knows for sure? Not that it really matters that much. By the way I finally got a nice 22" to bring home to mom so he was happy and so was I as I think I am finally getting the hang of this rig.

[tunrevir]

Suagers have no length limit on the Croix but they do count as a walleye towards your limit.

Tunrevir~

[GreyGoose]

I like that story it had a happy ending.

Did you explain to your kid that we can only get bigger ones by using selective harvesting and by following the regs like you did? Actually you went above and beyond on following the regs, which was good because you were unsure.I myself always assumed that the 15" min applied to saugers too. Thank for clearing that up rivernut.

Hope your figuring out that lindy riggin, that my favorite way to target wallys. And this time of the year its all about worms.

I have been away from the river for the last few weeks, hopin to hitt'er had tommorow. I'll be startin the day off draggin a worm harness.

[TurnUpTheFishing]

As far as lindy rigging on the St. Croix If your not already using 6lb test for your leader Id switch to it. I havnt fished the river for nearly a month but this spring, for me atleast, 6# outfished even 8# by nearly 4 to 1. We had lots of success keeping it simple 4' leader of 6# line, number 8 hook and half a crawler. Test it out yourself, you can use two lines on the croix.

[CHURN]

A Minnesota resident can use two lines on the Croix? I always thought you had to follow your home state regulations.

Not sure I am coordinated enough to fish that way, but if it is leagal I would give it a try.

[tunrevir]

Yep, 2 lines on the Croix and the Mississippi, kinda like double mint, double youe pleasure and double your fun! I'm headed out on the Croix this afternoon with the Tin can so if you happen to see a battleship grey 12' smokercraft with a 15 Johnson stop by and say hello.

Tunrevir~

[TurnUpTheFishing]

Yep, two lines. It works great when drifting/trolling it allows you to try several baits or presentations. Usually once the bite picks up or I figure out whats working I go back to one rod, less hassle.

[fish4ed]

No minimum length on saugers. On the rare occasions I bring fish home, I'll tend to favor those 13-14 inch saugies. What an earlier post said about selective harvest is ringing true on the Croix this year - folks have been whining for the past few years about how many 14-1/2" walleyes they see, but this summer I've caught scads of 16 and 17 inch fish; thanks for puttin' em back.

[ice_shack]

Quote:

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A Minnesota resident can use two lines on the Croix? I always thought you had to follow your home state regulations.

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Straight from the Book:

WISCONSIN–MINNESOTA Regulations

• Two lines with a single lure or bait on each are permitted. If fishing

with one line you may use two baits.