Wisconsin’s most popular fish needs help
Officially, the muskellunge is Wisconsin's state fish. The big, toothy fish of legends is a deserving choice for that honor.
But the title of most popular fish in the state goes to another species, the walleye.
In a survey conducted by UW-Stevens Point researchers in the early 2000s, Wisconsin anglers showed walleyes were their favorite fish species by a wide margin. About 27% of survey respondents listed walleyes as their preferred species; next highest were bluegill and largemouth bass, each at 11%.
As you probably know, walleyes are fun to catch and unsurpassed as table fare. But popularity comes at a price.
According to the study, a higher percentage of walleyes (29%) were kept by anglers than any other game fish. As some anglers like to say: “release to the grease.” For comparison, 11% of largemouth bass were kept.
Overharvest of walleyes has been going on for a long time but has become more apparent in the last couple of decades as natural reproduction has declined.
If you're a fan of walleyes, as I am, you're no doubt concerned about trends documented by researchers that show reduced walleye numbers in Wisconsin waters, especially northern lakes.
Although work is ongoing and several factors are likely contributing, the changes are real and have also been observed by fisheries biologists in Minnesota, Michigan and Ontario.
The shift has resulted in reduced sport bag limits on most waters and even a total harvest closure for sport and tribal anglers on the Minocqua Chain in Oneida County.
It's against this backdrop the Department of Natural Resources is working to update the Wisconsin walleye management plan.
Because of the species' broad importance, including recreationally, culturally, and economically, considerable effort and resources are spent by the DNR, tribes and numerous partner groups managing walleye.
Common activities include setting and enforcing harvest regulations, stocking, surveying populations and restoring or protecting critical habitat.
The current plan, which sets goals and objectives for walleye throughout the state, was written in 1998. My how times have changed.
A DNR review of the plan puts it this way: “Perhaps more so than any other species, walleye have been in flux in Wisconsin over the last two decades.
Many of the most consequential current management issues, such as recruitment failure and climate change, were not included in the 1998 plan. There have also been great advances in our understanding of walleye through research, changes to stocking practices, and significant technological improvements that have improved how we collect and share information. Thus, many of the objectives and recommendations outlined in the 1998 management plan are accomplished or out of date, while other important topics are absent.”
The DNR's walleye team started work on the update in late 2020 and is collecting public input this winter. through online surveys as well as during a series of 13 Zoom meetings.
The DNR's Max Wolter and Joe Hennessey have split time hosting the virtual focus group sessions.
If you have any interest in walleyes, I highly recommend you participate in one. They not only provide an opportunity to provide your input, but they are educational.
Hennessy said the plan can influence many things, such as stocking policies, angling regulations, habitat improvements, fisheries management policies, research and information sharing.
There are also things it can't control, such as tribal harvest, size of budgets or changing legislation. He spent a few minutes talking about the former issue, however, because it is a common topic of discussion among anglers.
Overall, the tribal spear fishery accounts for 13 to 15% of the walleye harvest in the ceded territory. In lakes that have both, sport anglers typically harvest two walleyes for every one taken by tribal fishermen, Hennessy said.
So when it comes to harvest, sport anglers take the bulk of the walleyes, including most of the female fish.
Arguably the biggest factor driving declines in the walleye fishery is lack of recruitment, or extremely poor survival of young walleye.
Climate change and other environmental changes could be contributing to the decline in walleye recruitment, Wolter said.
To help offset the drop in natural reproduction the DNR has increased stocking of extended growth walleye fingerlings in fall. This stocking, driven by a program called the Wisconsin Walleye Initiative, is costly but the larger fingerlings (typically 6 or 7 inches long) survive better than small fingerlings stocked earlier in the year.
It's not yet clear if the stocked walleyes have helped boost natural reproduction in lakes or are simply providing a put-and-take fishery. The DNR hopes to complete an assessment of the walleye initiative in the next year or two.
For now, stocking is continuing; 809,010 large walleye fingerlings were planted in Wisconsin waters in 2020, according to the DNR.
Public input is being collected through March. The DNR will create a draft in spring and put it out for public comment in July or August. The agency hopes to have the plan finalized by the end of the year.
“The walleye is a fish that's cherished by so many people,” Wolter said. “We want to hear what people would support as we try to make sure walleye are around for generations to come.”
Give your input
The DNR is utilizing a three-pronged approach as it works to update the Wisconsin walleye management plan.
First, a survey is being sent by mail and email to a random sample of resident and non-resident fishing license holders. If you get one, the agency asks you to fill it out and return it.
Next, all members of the public are invited to fill out an online survey posted on the DNR's website at dnr.wi.gov.
And finally the DNR is hosting Zoom meetings to present information on the Wisconsin walleye fishery and hold discussions about angler experiences and preferences. Each has focused on geographical regions. Four meetings remain: Tuesday for the Lake Winnebago system and Calumet, Fond du Lac, Outagamie and Winnebago counties; Feb. 2 for Door, Kewaunee, Brown, Manitowoc and Sheboygan; Feb. 16 for Washington, Ozaukee, Waukesha, Milwaukee, Walworth, Racine and Kenosha; and Feb. 23 for Columbia, Dodge, Dane, Jefferson, Rock and Green.