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Member
Posts: 2393
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Milwaukee River Walleye Stocking Update
I attended the DNR Walleye Open House last night where they discussed their draft proposal for the Milwaukee River Estuary Walleye Management Plan.
Although there were a lot of walleye enthusiasts there, the Great Lakes trout and salmon boys where also in strong attendance and very vocal. The DNR did a great job explaining the successes of the program and they are making recommendations to continue the stocking and restoration program.
HOWEVER, during the public comment portion of the evening The Great Lakes trout and salmon group COMPLAINED about the walleye stocking program and RECOMMENDED that the program be ELIMINATED. They are concerned that the walleye will eat the salmon fry (even though the DNR showed them that this was not the case). They also felt that warm water and cold water species could not coexist in the same area during the limited spring and fall period when they would share a small section of the river. The DNR did a GREAT job with their presentation dispelling all myths and giving scientific research on how the walleye stocking program will work and not interfere with the salmon fishery. Most of this information went to deaf ears if you were a salmon charter captain in attendance.
The DNR is still taking public comment until January 31st. It’s imperative that ALL walleye enthusiasts give their support to this program. The Great Lakes trout and salmon organization is a powerful and vocal group that has a great track record of influencing decisions like this one. . It’s my understanding that you do not have to live in S.E. Wisconsin to give a public comment. I have a call into the DNR asking them what the remaining process involves and how people who did not attend can voice their opinions. When I hear more I’ll report back.
You can view all of the reports at http://www.dnr.wi.gov/org/water/fhp/fish/lakemich/managementreports...
A few highlights from the DNR proposal:
Stock 10,000 extended growth Great Lakes strain walleye or 30,000 fingerlings annually from 2005 – 2009.
Use extended growth walleye fingerlings, when available, for stocking in the Milwaukee River.
Evaluate the feasibility of enhancing walleye and northern pike spawning habitat in the Menomonee and Milwaukee Rivers.
Encourage research to determine factors limiting walleye reproduction in the Milwaukee River estuary, and develop strategies to improve reproduction.
Restore/enhance walleye spawning habitat through the use of spawning shoals in the Milwaukee River estuary and spawning marshes in the Trinity Creek watershed.
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Member
Posts: 116
Location: Germantown and Land O Lakes, WI | I tell you what Dennis, when the effects of DNR cut backs on the Steelhead and Salmon stocking start happening, you dam well better believe that the same guys whining about walleyes eating thier trout and salmon fry will be the first ones trolling for walleyes. If memory serves, Walleye's dont have a 3-4 year life cycle, making them alot more affordable to stock.
Clients and myself have been catching eyes on the Milwaukee river for just about as long as the old North ave dam has been down. Every year it gets better and better. Why end it?
I really dont believe the Great Lakes trollers are affraid of the Walleyes eatting fry, they're affraid Walleye stocking is going to take away from thier trout and salmon stocking.
With more and more anglers fishing the river system it was only a matter of time before the fishing slowed down. Walleyes give anglers another species to fish for. |
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Member
Posts: 540
Location: Milw, WI | I'll tell you what .........
Walleyes can restock themsevles.
Or just a walleye wagon, staffed by volunteers can do wonders.
The Milwaukee river was a walleye hot spot back in the days, of the blue hole.
Lined with grand hotel/resorts, beaches and water slides.
I have caught walleye in the milwaukee river and habor as far back as I can recall.
Old timers stories that have been told to me would blow your mind.
Smelt nets full of 5 pounds were the norm some nights.
Wish I had gone last night but was to sick to attend.
I for one miss the damn at north ave.
I lost many hot spots when it went away. |
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Location: Rhinelander | The age old dispute between those after one type of fish not wanting to have another type stocked. Never makes sense, but it makes for an argument at meetings like this. Wish I could have attended, but work got in the way. Thanks for the report, sir. |
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Member
Posts: 116
Location: Germantown and Land O Lakes, WI | I spoke with Bill Horns from the DNR, he's a Great Lakes fisheries specialist working with the stocking program. He told me that cuts to the Chinook program may be taking plce after all the data is studied on how much forrage there is for them.
My take on that is this, There may not be enough food for Salmon to eat so they dont want to stock them! It's not the Walleyes eatting Salmon fry that's the problem, it's that the "Eatting Machine" Salmon are eatting themselves out of house and home! |
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