Where are the BIG walleyes?

Where are the BIG walleyes?

2011 has been an odd year for walleye fishing on Lake Winnebago. This has been leaving many area sportsmen scratching their heads as to what is taking place

Here are the questions plaguing some area fishermen:

1. Where are the large female walleyes this year?

2. Why are their only a few fish in the mud?

3. Why don’t I see walleyes under 10 inches?

4. Is the system in decline?

Run Bruch, Fisheries Team Supervisor for the WI DNR, answered many of these question in an impromptu speech at Sunday’s weigh in during the Boat Doc Invitational Tournament in Oshkosh. Here are some of the comments made.

Where are the large female walleyes this year? Ron feels that the largest walleyes are currently just arriving into the main lake, and have been residing in the upper lakes and rivers this spring. The DNR continues to do aging research related to the Winnebago System walleyes. walleye Weekend should have provided ample samples of mature females, but out of the 1576 walleyes registered during the 2 day tournament, only 20 could be verified as mature females.

Why are their only a few fish in the mud? As each warm day passes and the water column becomes clearer, the walleyes have been moving into the mud from out of the rivers and off of the reefs. Large schools exist in many areas of the central basin. They have not been active partly due to their late arrival to this area of the lake. Because of the postponed arrival of these fish, food sources still exist and need to be depleted prior to active chasing of lures will occur. Most of the large female fish caught in this weekend’s tournament were associated with shallow weeds in fewer than three feet of water.

>I don’t see any walleyes less than 10 inches?

2009 and 2010 had less than ideal conditions during the spawn. These year classes resulted in small numbers of surviving walleyes compared to a boom year like 2008. Therefore, populations of small walleyes are indeed limited.

Is the system in decline? Ron Bruch said absolutely not! The 2008 year class should be mature starting next year, leading to a large population of spawning fish for 2012. These fish could spawn for 10-20 years or more. The DNR’s initial research is leading many to believe that some walleyes live for over 30 years in the Winnebago system.

Many of the cookie cutter 15-17 inch walleyes seen today are the fish which will become first time spawners in 2012. The 2011 year class has the potential to be a huge class; however, many factors will ultimately determine their survival rate thru winter.