Walleyes for Tomorrow 2026

[pclark]

We started netting on Monday this week with the DNR taking the lead as they are surveying our entire chain. Due to water temps in different lakes some females had already spawned, some with green/hard (not ready yet) and others like the 30” 11lb in picture was full of eggs. Along with this one several in the 27” range were also netted along with some nice 18” males. We are off to a nice start and the weather has been very nice with water temps rising quickly into high 40’s.
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[whitedust]

Do Native Americans have spearing rights on those lakes ?

 

[pclark]

Pete, they spear our chain every year, Lac Du Flambeau Tribe. We worked with the DNR this year as they were doing an all out survey of our chain and it was very educational. When Indians spear they typically mostly take male walleyes, reason why is the mating process, the males wait on the spawning beds for the females, when the female is ready it takes only 90 seconds for her to circle the spawning beds and drop her egs and then the males do their part. So, when the Indians spear, typically at night, what they see are a lot of males in the shallows and they take them for the most part because they are easy to spear. As you can see the females are much larger fish, this year in the 3 days of netting the conditions were almost perfect and it was very successful, over 4 million eggs were procured and are now in the incubator jars, with the water warming rapidly they should start grow quickly. Today we netted the largest one at 32", probably pushing 12lbs along with 9 or so in the 27"- 30" range, i would say in the 3 days we had 30 females over 27". The spawn is now over for this year, always an interesting week on the water, seeing fish that you would never see otherwise.

 

[euphoric1]

Paul, although I am tossed on the whole "spearing" practice still done by Native Americans, I can honestly say I am neither for or against it, I recently watched a documentary titled "Badwater" in which I was surprised that or at least this tribe was very involved in repopulating walleye in lakes and waterways they spear in, I found it quite impressive and to be honest swayed me more towards the "for" practice of spearing. I don't know if any other tribes have and operate hatcheries or if it is a joint venture between other tribes or just the Badwater area, the documentary is about an aging and failing oil pipeline that runs across their reservation and their concern about potential environmental catastrophe, they do also talk about their history, beliefs, wanting to protect and pass on traditions. I know there is a stigma amongst many about Native Americans, It is one of my favorite historical subjects. the farm my mom grew up on has a couple mounds on it and there has been quite a catch of arrow heads and a few axe heads found in there fields while working the soil and I used to enjoy hiking through the woods imagining what it was like when they occupied the area. Anyways...I know way off subject here and I do apologize. IMO and I know many will disagree but Native Americans really got the short end of the stick, what we did to them in the past was wrong. If any of you can stream on demand TV search out "Badwater" documentary it is very interesting and prior to what some may believe, they do give back to the environment what they take and this particular tribe is very active in fishery conversation for what they do take, and would be very curious how many more do the same or again if it is an association of tribes taking part in hatcheries and conservation.
From someone who really loves the nature, fishing and the outdoors as a whole....Thank you Paul for your involvement and efforts!

 

[skiroule]

The size of those fish you're catching is crazy! A 32 inch Walleye would be the fish of a lifetime. Not sure if it would be legal to keep but hopefully if anyone were that fortunate, they would photograph it, release it, and have a replica made. I read an article a while back that documented research that indicated that the older Walleyes continue to be prolific breeders and may even be genetically superior to fish that don't live as long.

The work you're doing is going to be a big factor in a heathy population of Walleyes. Well done!

 

[pclark]

Brian, I get where you are coming from. I personally have never seen the Indians spearing but it is fact that they have their lakes and they do spear. It is their tradition and it is a fact that it does affect the repopulation in our area. I spoke with a very informed gentleman out of the Minocqua Chapter (they do the same on the Minocqua Chain) which if you don't know what just recently opened to walleye fishing last year with a 1 fish limit after ten years of being closed to walleye fishing. He stated that the LDF Tribe was very interested in WFT and what they do but also speared last year and obviously took more than one walleye so take that for what it is worth. It is something I enjoy and hope that we are making a difference for future generations, unless you have taken part in something like this you won't know what it means when you see these beautiful fish in their environment. If we want future generations to enjoy our lakes and recreational lands we need to respect them. Most take places like this for granted and come for a week of vacation which is fine and we welcome them but I don't think they know what goes on behind the scenes to keep this a beautiful place. It's kind of like snowmobiling, unless you are a member of a club, you don't know how much work goes into the process. Anyway, I thought you would enjoy the picture and a little history on how it went this year.

 

[pclark]

The size of those fish you're catching is crazy! A 32 inch Walleye would be the fish of a lifetime. Not sure if it would be legal to keep but hopefully if anyone were that fortunate, they would photograph it, release it, and have a replica made. I read an article a while back that documented research that indicated that the older Walleyes continue to be prolific breeders and may even be genetically superior to fish that don't live as long.

The work you're doing is going to be a big factor in a heathy population of Walleyes. Well done!

Thanks Skiroule, and yes those fish are something that not many people would ever see live or yet be fortunate to catch and release. For me, When I hear someone say "The fishing isn't the same anymore or there are not many walleye in the chain anymore" I smile to myself and say that if you want walleyes here you have to put the time in to find them. Obviously they are here, we netted and released hundreds in 3 days but the size and number of the females this year was impressive!

 

[euphoric1]

I hope he doesn't get upset for me saying so but dfattack was not only responsible but very much involved in restoring the musky population on his lake and you are correct Paul, like everything else out there few are aware of the work and commitment behind it all to make it possible! Keep up the good work my friend!

 

[whitedust]

Thanks Paul for all you do for the walleye population. I’ve been gone for 6 years from Vilas but the 16 years I lived there walleye were definitely on the brink of elimination. It was very discouraging to see the walleye decline in their population so I’m very happy what you are doing has been successful.

 

[pclark]

Thanks Paul for all you do for the walleye population. I’ve been gone for 6 years from Vilas but the 16 years I lived there walleye were definitely on the brink of elimination. It was very discouraging to see the walleye decline in their population so I’m very happy what you are doing has been successful.

Thanks Pete, we have a good group of guys up here that get involved.