|
|
| Another quick post - I have also recently been catching many more tagged walleyes than I ever have before. Does anyone know how many walleyes are estimated to be tagged in the Winnebago system?
I also got some info from the DNR in regards to the first tagged walleye I caught this year. The fish was a 20 inch male estimated to be 9 years old - the fish had been tagged in March 2007 in the Wolf River (Hwy CCC Channel) and had been caught at the south end of Winnebago by myself a few weeks ago. According to the info sent by the DNR, the distance traveled was just over 126 miles by water. Do you think the fish actually traveled this whole distance by itself? Do you think the fish could have been relocated to the south end of Winnebago because it had been caught in a tournament (Merc National in FDL for example)? Not sure if the info is out there but does anyone know of DNR records ever show a fish being registered during a tournament like the Merc National and then being caught a few days/weeks later in the same general area where it was released? Just find it amazing that this fish had gone over 126 miles. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 3899
| I think these fish are capable of easily traveling that distance, and in quick order, too. All depends on the current in the system. Sometimes these fish get flushed right out into the big lake in a day or two after they spawn. Some years, they have to swim to get there, and hang around the upper lakes longer. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 744
| My buddy got a tagged walleye two years ago in May, it had been tagged that same spring and traveled 60 miles in 37 days. Sure it is possible your fish was a tournament fish, but I would give it way less then a 1% chance. |
|
| |
|
Member
Posts: 1406
| Brewer Fan...the DNR tags between 7000-10000 fish each year. It is very important that you notify them of your tag number and where and when you caught them. I once caught a fish I tagged with them only 2 days later 40 miles away. The data recieved in part is used in determining many things such as fishing exploitation. A huge majority of every years tagged fish are normally recorded by the end of June, although in very high or low water years it can take much longer as the fish tend to be harder to catch as they move so far so fast or move very slowly back. to the lakes. The likelyhood that it was relocated is next to impossible. They will migrate as far as the Shawano Damn over 70 miles up river and can make the trip back in as little as a few days under the right conditions. Congrats on your catch.
Good Luck
Tyee
Edited by tyee 6/21/2008 9:41 AM
|
|
| |
