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Post by beatsworkin on May 10, 2005 6:59:45 GMT -5
Anyone here fish for walleye in Champlain? I know numbers are not what they used to be.
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Post by polski rybak on May 10, 2005 21:54:27 GMT -5
Hey Beatsworkin,
Can't say I've been hardcore on the eyes' since moving up here, but have had some luck in the spring when I get a chance to fish the rivers. Also boated a really nice fish while pike fishing in King's Bay. Beautiful golden color, good eatin'.
I remember looking through my fathers DEC bulletins that he saved from the 50's, and one article talked about how incredible the walleye fishing was on Missiquoi Bay. From what I have read since then it appears that overharvesting and the euthrophication of the bay has really decimated the populations.
Live up in that area and what really has pissed me off is the number of guys that are fishing out of season on the river. Called the warden and he said that there was nothing he could do unless he caught them in possesion of the fish. Said there is no way to demark the river to alleve the problem and not hurt the guys fishing for bullhead. Never took too many bullhead trolling spinner rigs. Ridiculous.
These clowns are real sportsman. The reason the season is closed between March 15th and the 1st Saturday in May is to allow the walleye to spawn and allow us fisherman to enjoy catching them for years to come. The mentality of those who fish out of season is beyond my comprehesion.
Sorry for the vent. Outside the spring river fishing there is opportunities to take walleye, but I have not had an opportunity to give it a try. I hear night fishing can be productive in certain areas, I have heard the breakline in Maquam Bay can produce.
If your looking for consistent action in the near term give Lake Carmi a try. The fish can be rather "cigary", but the action is good and the fish are delicious.
Tight Lines,
Polski Rybak
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Post by beatsworkin on May 11, 2005 7:51:04 GMT -5
Thanks for the reply back PR. We have been coming up to Vermont for almost 25 years now. Usually we are fishing for bass and keep perch and pan fish to eat and have some fish to take back home.
Here in Ohio, walleye are a hot topic. Lake Erie had the largest hatch in 30 years in 2003, the biologists estimate the lake's population at around 41,000,000 walleye, 70% are made up of the 2003 class. The 2002 and 2004 hatches were poor with the 2002 statisticly being a big fat 0. The limit over the last few years has gone from 10 fish year round, then 6 (with 4 during March and April) and this year it is 6 except for 3 during March and April.
This year the total catch quota for Ohio, Michigan, Pa. and New York and Ontario was raised by a couple million fish. The 5 states around the lake left the limits the same, but the gill netters in Ontario get to keep more fish...(not to mention all the smallmouth, steelhead, and undersize walleye that are lost as by-catch) I understand your frustration with "sportsman" who do not follow the rules inacted to protect a fishery. I'm not interested in catching and keeping limits of walleye, esp. from a fishery that is trying to rebound. I'd just like to use my trolling tactics from Erie and see if I can catch 1 or 2 for a nice meal while we are up.
Anyone have experience with the Lake Champlain Walleye Assoc.? Thought about joining but since I'm out of state, was not sure about the track record.
I have my boat set up to troll and am planning on giving the 'eyes a shot. I'm planning on working around Horse Shoe and La Motte and Cloak Islands. Our place is on the Alburg passage and will try a few other spots as well.
If any of you want to make the trip to Erie, I can give you some info. If you love to fish walleye, you really owe it to yourself to make a trip down to Erie, plenty of 25 to 32 inch fish!
Thanks Beatsworkin
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Post by polski rybak on May 13, 2005 22:04:55 GMT -5
BW,
Looks like you have really benefited from the the new license regs being so close to the main lake, your VT license is now good in NY. I am not so lucky as the Lifetime License I bought in NY is no good on the Inland Sea (call it the luck of the Polish).
In addition to the Horseshoe Shoals you may want to travel over to the NY side and give the Ferryall and Thompson Reef a shot for the eyes'. Can't say this comes from experience but my my Hot Spot map says it may be productive. Take it for what it's worth.
Another area were I always thought might be walleye productive when I was living on the NY side of the lake was the La Rouche reef. Big drop to deep water off the outer bouy and very similar to locations where Lake Ontario Trout/Salmon fisherman have been taking very big walleyes trolling. The reef is full of perch and other baitfish that might keep Mrs. Pike Perch (fat beech that she is) in the vacinty for a nice snack. If the walleyes aren't hitting the smallie action is good both around the outer and inner bouy. Might be worth a shot , very short haul from Isle LaMotte. Once again, as all my investment BS says this is only a projection and may not be indicative of future performance of the fishery.
Tight Lines,
Polski Rybak
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Post by beatsworkin on May 16, 2005 7:59:05 GMT -5
Pr,
Thanks for the info, I was thinking along those lines as well. I'm not too worried about wether or not I'll get bit. I suppose that is why they call it fishing and not catching. I'm usually just estatic to be back up on the best lake I know of!
I'll use tactics more common to the great lakes, in line planer boards, dipsey's and bottom bouncers. Don't have the $$$ and space on board for riggers. This time of year on Erie folks are using crawler harness' and spoons. The spoon bite will last into October and then they switch back to big rapala's and other stick baits trolled at night in close.
I'm planning on starting with the crawler harness (spinner rig) and trying some raps and spoons as well. Might even try the night bite and throw some jigs on the reefs.
At any rate, we will have a good time!
Thanks again!
BW
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