Slot sizes and Tournaments

[grumpymoe]

  As expected, this topic came up again while participating in the Dauphin Derby last weekend.  I have no problem releasing protected slot-size walleyes at any time of the year, but our current regulations need to be examined for possible rule ammendments regarding C&R derbies. This year saw way less walleye being caught than last, but this still rears it's ugly head.  An angler catches what to some of us is obviously protected, but removes the hook, and drops it onto the ice looking for a tape to get a proper measurement. Sub-zero temps are not favourable to any fish, even for afew seconds. Survival is questionable at best. Why can't our fisheries look at allowing these fish to be placed in their waterpails and taken to the weigh station and released under conditions suitable for live release? Any input from our resource officers would be appreciated.  Grump

[perch-man]

Good point Grump on having the fish run with water but now you are in position of a slot fish . Their lots of measuring devises for sale in Dauphin put out by I.S.F. E.G.Or due Tournaments go . Take LOP Tournment It is pinched tail so last year if you had a 70 cm walleye with pinched tail you had a slot fish .If you were stopped you would been charged that I got from head of fishieres in Dauphin. I think it all has to be looked at .What due think?

[grumpymoe]

My only hope is to see some possible changes to the regulations as it pertains to Ice Fishing derbies....softwater derbies should continue to be the same...measure...relea se...Cold is not really an issue at that time of the year.  Grump

[Thriller]

I don't quite get it overall...walleye and sauger are release only for all derbies, hard or soft water...why not allow all to be measured then?  There are survival issues, summer or winter if the fish aren't handled properly.  It keeps coming up, but I'm not convinced it will be addressed.  I'd like to see it changed for all derbies providing there are provisions put in place for health / survival of the fish (like livewell inspection in summer and water in container in winter).

[grumpymoe]

good input perch-man and Thriller....ice fishing derbies are a completely different story....either the fisheries changes the rules to exclude walleye/sauger from competitive events.....or wake up to the reality of quality C&R....as the slot currently stands, icefishing derbies are detrimental to conservation of desired species....if we stand up loud and clear together, something can be done....if not.....our fishery will continue to plod along in the dark ages...Grump

[blue igloo]

good input perch-man and Thriller....ice fishing derbies are a completely different story....either the fisheries changes the rules to exclude walleye/sauger from competitive events.....or wake up to the reality of quality C&R....as the slot currently stands, icefishing derbies are detrimental to conservation of desired species....if we stand up loud and clear together, something can be done....if not.....our fishery will continue to plod along in the dark ages...Grump


Well said Grump I fully support you on this. What is the difference.......it's still ALL catch and release! 
Blue Igloo 

[Ac]

I think the folks who put on the derbies (summer or winter) need to step up as well. I think before any regulation change takes place derby organizers need to speak up and say how they plan on insuring safe release of fish. How far was the weigh station at Dauphin When I was there many years ago it took me 10 min. to walk over...then stand there. If it was -30 my bucket would have been an ice cube. How about smaller, multiple weigh stations. In summer....floating weigh stations. Who is going to fish Traverse Bay and run back to the mill launch to get a fish weighed. I think derby organizers need to show that they can put on a tournament with a 0 kill rate...then things may change. There will be no more tournies worth entering soon. I remember reading the big names that came to the Pine Falls Walleye Tournament in the fall years ago. If they bring in the regulation of all walleye over 70 cm must be released on the Winnipeg and Red Rivers....why even bother with a tournament Dark Ages is right !!!!

[baby sitter]

I'll probably make more enemies with this when I say I don't like the idea of walleye tournament fishing all together.
Being in the Minakie area for years , it's host to 2 large tounies every year. And it's not every year this happens.
To start I put a lot of miles on every weekend by boat , and in my tavel I never see dead walleye floating unless there is a tounrament on. The only time I've seen this is when the weather is hot, and the  water is warm, but I'm not sure of the rules but dead fish count against you.
Plus I've personally seen guys pull 26" plus fish out of 50' of water to see it wasn't an upgrade so they released them only to have the fish float back up , and have them deny it was there's. This I've seen, and the dumb asses put there name on there outboard so I know who they are.
That's just my 2 bit's

[grumpymoe]

its not walleye tournaments....its derbies in general....particularl y icefishing that needs further review....include all or exclude.....period!!!!  Grump