Walleye ?

[mojorig]

We actually just met with the Twin Lakes Walleye Club over here to discuss lack of catching fish and consideration of a slot limit on Bull Shoals and Norfork. The next day after the meeting, spearfishing season began. Divers reported seeing lots of walleye shallower than normal. It appeared the walleye group wasn't fishing in the right place. After we passed the info along, the TLWC members are catching walleye. That shows the importance of fishing in the right place at the right time.

[Champ188]

Please tell me walleye aren't open to spearfishing. Seems it would be a little difficult to get one to swim up and let you measure him before firing your bolt, or whatever they call it.

[Tanderson15]

To me the water magnifies the fish thinking I have a keeper and it's only 17". Maybe just worn out old eyes or dreaming it's bigger.  I just think it would be hard to determine the length unless it's 22"

[Ron Burgundy]

3 hours ago, Champ188 said:

Please tell me walleye aren't open to spearfishing. Seems it would be a little difficult to get one to swim up and let you measure him before firing your bolt, or whatever they call it.

Yes it is legal, unfortunately.

[Champ188]

10 hours ago, Ron Burgundy said:

Yes it is legal, unfortunately.

Incredible. You're trying to introduce a relatively new species to a lake and get them up to fishable numbers. You protect them from rod-and-reel anglers with length limits (a very good thing, IMO) and then you shoot yourself in the foot by allowing divers to run a spear thru them.

Oh, wait. I forgot. You have to accommodate all user groups. Man, how many times have we heard that one in regards to AGFC regs?

I'm sure the rule-making folks at the commission will say the spearfishing harvest is negligible, and they're likely right. But I also guarantee you that if a rod-and-reel fisherman got caught with a short walleye, he couldn't get off by saying, "It's just one fish. It's negligible." If one short fish is too many for one group, it's too many for all groups.

Rant done. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

[mojorig]

Yes, spearfishing is allowed for walleye. They are only allowed to keep half the daily limit of walleye (2 walleye).

 

[chi0082]

4 hours ago, Champ188 said:

Incredible. You're trying to introduce a relatively new species to a lake and get them up to fishable numbers. You protect them from rod-and-reel anglers with length limits (a very good thing, IMO) and then you shoot yourself in the foot by allowing divers to run a spear thru them.

Oh, wait. I forgot. You have to accommodate all user groups. Man, how many times have we heard that one in regards to AGFC regs?

I'm sure the rule-making folks at the commission will say the spearfishing harvest is negligible, and they're likely right. But I also guarantee you that if a rod-and-reel fisherman got caught with a short walleye, he couldn't get off by saying, "It's just one fish. It's negligible." If one short fish is too many for one group, it's too many for all groups.

Rant done. We now return you to your regularly scheduled programming.

I agree with Champ. An 18" walleye isn't a very big target and plus with goggles on and the way water making things look bigger, I wonder how many sublegal walleyes are kept by spear fishermen. It's not like they can release a fish after a bolt/arrow/spear has been shot through it. Heck if a bolt/spear hits an 18" walleye wouldn't it split in half upon impact? Walleye don't have much girth to them unlike stripers and hybrids. 

[Chillfish]

I know two people personally that spearfish for walleye during the season, and about 100 that either fish actively for them or keep them whenever they catch them with rod and reel.  Add to the equation that only two can be kept by spearing, I would guess the actual take by spearfishing would be infinitesimal by comparison. What is the difference in you catching and eating 3 or 4 with a rod and someone catching two with a spear gun?  I guess I just don't understand the hatred some sportsmen spew towards other sportsmen who utilize differing legal methods to harvest their game.  And as far as the shooting of short eyes goes, I'm sure it happens from Time to time, but I would bet the farm that more shorts are taken home that were caught by a hook and line rather than a spear.  The issue, if there even is one, is the complete lack of enforcement on this lake.  

[MOPanfisher]

Agreed Chillfish.  A buddy of mine tried spearfishing them, and said it's not nearly as easy as it seems to be either.

[Blll]

2 hours ago, Chillfish said:

 The issue, if there even is one, is the complete lack of enforcement on this lake.  

Amen!