Walleyes vs Smallies

[gunflint]

The big bait mess on Sag is actually a political one. The State of Minnesota started messing with the Canadians on some regulations (not exactly sure which ones) and the Canadians bit back. From what I hear from the locals around here it was all started by the Minnesota Legislature. (A surprise I'm sure)You can use leeches on the Canadian side of Sag, you just have to buy them in Canada. Not sure about minnows.

[analyzer]

When I eat fish in the bwca, I always check their stomachs, and 19 times out of 20, the smallmouth has crayfish remains in it's stomach....

... the other time, it's empty.

[mnmuskieadv]

You can't blame walleye populations on the SMB, just as you cannot blame the walleye populations on muskies. There are so many other factors at play. A healthy eco-system combined with close management can support all three in complete harmony. Look no further than Lake of the Woods. It is arguably the best, FOR ALL THREE species! Most often the problem with walleye populations are too many limits taken day after day. They're too tastey for there own good. Start releasing the walleyes and very soon you'll be catching more!

[gunflint]

The limit thing is possible but not likely on the Gunflint Trail. Our lakes just don't get the pressure that the majority of lakes in Minnesota do. Sag gets an average of about 80 boats a week under the permit system. That's not counting canoes and those that don't need a permit like property owners but at best that would double the number of fisherman to 160 boats per week. Out of that maybe 20% are "good" fisherman.

Another theory being tossed around is just the opposite. The walleyes that are caught in Sag are generally monsters. Many over 30 inches are caught and released every week. The theory is that the monsters that are being released are cannibalizing the young walleyes. I'm not saying that I agree, it's just a theory.

[Northlander]

mnmuskie Im not saying populations of eyes are actually down. I have no evidence of this but this very well could be the case. Im just thinking that the boom in smallies is pushing eyes out of their usual haunts and they are getting harder to find and the smallies wont let your baits get to the eyes.

Seems like the smallies are all over the place. 1' to high 30's.

Its surprising how many northern lakes Im finding smallies deep in. Cause? I dont know. Low snow cover and warmer winters lately. Thus weeds are staying up longer in the winter and come up earlier in the spring? Global Warming?

Who really knows.

[RodNGun]

Quote:

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When I eat fish in the bwca, I always check their stomachs, and 19 times out of 20, the smallmouth has crayfish remains in it's stomach....

... the other time, it's empty.

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I have caught walleyes in the BWCA with crayfish in then as well. Mosly when they are in blue claw.

[analyzer]

My point was, that the smb, rarely has minnow remains in it's stomach...thus, I agree with northlander, I dont think the smallies are eating the walleyes (imo)... at least not on the lakes i fish.

[RodNGun]

When do you go up there. If it is the same time of year every year you are probubly hitting the crayfish in blue claw every year. I have found plenty of minnows in SMB. Usually they are spitting them up when you reel them in.