DNR seeks input on Winnebago walleye management plan

The Department of Natural Resources will hold public meetings beginning this week to collect input on the Winnebago Walleye Management Plan.

The original plan, written in 1991, helped sustain a healthy, naturally reproducing walleye population in the Winnebago system.

The vast system includes Lakes Winnebago, Butte des Morts, Poygan and Winneconne as well as the Wolf and Fox rivers.

The walleye population is one of the state's largest and most highly pressured by anglers.

The original plan was formulated and implemented by the DNR and the Winnebago Fisheries Advisory Committee (WFAC), a 25 citizen-member group that assists the agency on non-sturgeon fisheries issues in the region.

Several changes were enacted over the last few decades, including a reduction of carbon monoxide emissions into the Fox River in Oshkosh to help walleye fry survival; a 15-inch walleye minimum length limit from 1992-'97 to provide greater protection of the strong 1990 and 1991 year classes; and work to improve walleye spawning habitat via purchase

or lease of suitable marshes adjacent to the Wolf and upper Fox rivers.

Since 1998, the system has had no minimum length limit for walleyes, a daily bag limit of five fish and a yearround open season.

The DNR says the Winnebago System currently supports a healthy walleye population and is not recommending regulation changes at this time.

It does, however, intend to continue to employ "proactive fisheries management to maintain a strong self-sustaining recreational fishery."

While many of the issues outlined in the 1991 plan have been addressed, some reoccurring issues remain and new concerns are emerging, according to the agency.

The 2018 walleye plan provides an update on the goals, objectives and tactics that will help guide future Winnebago walleye management.

The plan includes the following objectives: Continue conducting annual Winnebago System walleye assessments in order to assess year class strength, age and growth, exploitation and mortality, and relative adult abundance.

Continue to monitor the overall Winnebago System fish community and develop additional sampling protocols as needed to further assess changes in the fish community that may influence the walleye population.

Maintain and protect walleye spawning marshes, acquire new critical spawning marshes when possible, and explore new spawning habitat areas on the Wolf and upper Fox rivers.

Continue to engage the WFAC, local conservation clubs and the public in walleye management.

Revitalize and increase awareness of the walleye tagging program.

Ensure that the proper harvest regulations are in place to maintain a healthy, self-sustaining Winnebago walleye population.

Maintain an effective law enforcement program throughout the Winnebago System to ensure compliance with the walleye harvest regulations.

Each public meeting this month will run from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m.

The dates and locations are: Monday: JP Coughlin Center, 625 E. County Road Y, Oshkosh.

Wednesday: Engler Center for the Performing Arts, 530 W. Main St., Chilton.

March 28: Mosquito Hill Nature Center, N3880 Rogers Road, New London.

Comments also may be submitted to Adam Nickel, DNR fisheries biologist, by phone at (920) 424-3059 or by mail at 625 E County Road Y, Suite 700, Oshkosh, WI 54901.

Comments will be accepted until May 1.

Turkey tags on sale: Bonus Wisconsin spring turkey harvest authorizations (previously known as leftover permits) go on sale beginning Monday. The harvest authorizations may be purchased online through GoWild.Wi.Gov and at all license agents. Sales start at 10 a.m. and run until midnight each day.

The sales schedule is: Monday, Zone 1; Tuesday, Zone 2; Wednesday, Zone 3; Thursday, Zone 4; Friday, Zones 5 and 7 (none available for Zone 6). Beginning Saturday and running through the end of the season, all remaining authorizations will be available for sale, at the rate of one per hunter per day.

Bonus harvest authorizations cost $10 for residents and $15 for non-residents.

The Youth Turkey Hunt is April 14-15, with the first regular period April 18-24.