Walleye Slots Sizes

[reelpro]

I have been teaching “new anglers” the idea of Selective Harvest for 40 years.

Slot limits or no slot limits the same principles apply to our freshwater fisheries.

In general with freshwater fish in Canada, the smallest fish offer the best table fare in terms of flavour and also texture.

In general freshwater fish in Canada have no mechanism to release toxins or poisons, they just accumulate them in their fat.  The smallest fish of every species possess the least risk of passing on any toxins when eaten, such as lead or mercury or other pollutants, they just haven’t had time to accumulate much.


In general with most freshwater fish in Canada the largest fish of any species are female.

The larger the female is, the more eggs she will produce every year.

The fewer large fish killed, the better the fishery. Period.

So there are a whole lot of positive reasons to release ALL the Large walleye , and keep the smaller ones for table fare.

Really no good reasons to keep the larger fish and toss back the small ones.

The “Trophy” size fish are awesome to catch and the best “wall mount” is a nice photo of you holding the trophy fish that you released.

Selective Harvest - keep the smaller healthier and tastier fish, and release all “The Big Ones” it helps keep the fishery at its best so it is sustainable, and future generations can enjoy the resource.

GL Mike

[plowjock]

Reelpro, you couldn't have said it better. The part with fat accumulation of Mercury and other toxins within the water are quite a lot more in older mature fish. Sure, it's been proven some of these older females don't produce the number of eggs at the spawn that a younger female does but she produces a little more size and chance of higher percentage hatch because the fry are able to consume more nourishment within the egg and thus are stronger when fully developed prior to the hatch. As you said about the best wall mount is a fantastic photo of that Fish of a Life Time. It would also help if you carried a good phone or camera in the boat, along with a cloth tape to get measurements for a Fibreglass wall mount, rather than a skin mount which usually breaks down after a few years. Pictures taken of the fish vertically and horizontally will greatly assist a taxidermist in the painting up of the mount. Take measurements of length, and a couple of the girth and a photo of the fish being released will enhance your memories for years to come and future generations of your family to say, Grampa Released this Monster.

[RHYBAK]

Ahhh....after this new site morphed from the old forum, I never bothered getting an account here.  Was just a casual observer.
Finally got an account several months back and this topic made me actually log-in and comment. 🤷🏼‍♂️

I’m all for keeping one fish over slot limit....but how would it be regulated?
Like a turkey or deer tag except called an “over slot” tag that you could also purchase or comes with your license?
How about individual camp owner who spends 10-12 weekends out of the season at their camp....just one “over slot” fish the entire season?  Or one for every weekend they’re up?
How to verify you caught then consumed or froze to take home your over slot fish?
Fill out a tag? 
Could fall down the slippery slope of folks who don’t care simply consuming an over slot fish then keeping/consuming a 2nd, a 3rd one, etc...then maybe filling out their tag on their 4th over slot fish.
Just a lot of variables involved.

I do admit that you make some really good valid points here.

[Ozzy30]

No only has the slot really helped over the years but last year with the lack of pressure (sorry all my friends in the US)  The 2 trips I was there the lake almost seemed empty.  I'm not saying keep border closed, what I am saying with the border closed it is only helping the lake out for when the world starts to get back to some kind of normal.  I like the slot, I live in an area of Ontario where our ministry thinks through back all the small fishing and only keep the breeders.  This is why I fish more in Quebec than my own province.

[GregL]

No only has the slot really helped over the years but last year with the lack of pressure (sorry all my friends in the US)  The 2 trips I was there the lake almost seemed empty.  I'm not saying keep border closed, what I am saying with the border closed it is only helping the lake out for when the world starts to get back to some kind of normal.  I like the slot, I live in an area of Ontario where our ministry thinks through back all the small fishing and only keep the breeders.  This is why I fish more in Quebec than my own province.

I'm with Oz!! The slot limit on Kipawa is perfect. Our regs in Ontario are completely incorrect and it shows!

[Lund Rebel]

I agree as well with Greg and Oz. The ministry is doing it right in Quebec and the fishery reflects those decisions they are making. I am also from Ontario and it is frustrating that the MNR can't get it figured out. There are many beautiful places to fish and explore however, the numbers of fish you can produce in a few hours on the water does not compare to what happens in Kipawa. It all boils down to management I believe and I think the Quebec ministry is light years ahead of Ontario.

[RHYBAK]

I am in total agreement now also.

It takes a thread like this to get some great opinions
Thanks guys

[limacharley]

I am in total agreement now also.

It takes a thread like this to get some great opinions
Thanks guys

I agree as well with Greg and Oz. The ministry is doing it right in Quebec and the fishery reflects those decisions they are making. I am also from Ontario and it is frustrating that the MNR can't get it figured out. There are many beautiful places to fish and explore however, the numbers of fish you can produce in a few hours on the water does not compare to what happens in Kipawa. It all boils down to management I believe and I think the Quebec ministry is light years ahead of Ontario.

The only thing I would add is I was hoping the walleye fishing by now could sustain some ice fishing with some limitations....Keep Lake trout closed but allow some form of harvest for eyes.

[puckster_guy]

I am in total agreement now also.

It takes a thread like this to get some great opinions
Thanks guys

I agree as well with Greg and Oz. The ministry is doing it right in Quebec and the fishery reflects those decisions they are making. I am also from Ontario and it is frustrating that the MNR can't get it figured out. There are many beautiful places to fish and explore however, the numbers of fish you can produce in a few hours on the water does not compare to what happens in Kipawa. It all boils down to management I believe and I think the Quebec ministry is light years ahead of Ontario.

The only thing I would add is I was hoping the walleye fishing by now could sustain some ice fishing with some limitations....Keep Lake trout closed but allow some form of harvest for eyes.

I dunno LC I'm under the impresion that ice fishing is closed to protect Lakers. There is lazy policing involved. Easier to shut down all fishing then send cops out to see if any Lakers are taken. The walleye population is very healthy here. More due to slot sizes and sanctuaries rather then no ice fishing. Just my opinion.

[limacharley]

Yes Joe, it was closed across the board to protect the lakers. But as a cottage owner, I'd like to harvest some eyes in winter. We pay enough taxes, we should enjoy that privilege.
There's a large percentage of fishers that are honest people and would only harvest a couple of eyes in winter.

The ministry cannot assume that just because there are people drilling holes in the ice that they're loading up on lakers?