Keep an eye on walleye vs. steelhead
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Among many steelhead anglers, “the good old days” ended in 2003. In that year a particularly large year-class of walleye met springstocked steelhead smolts at the tributary mouths. The unusually large level of predation was noticed three years later and continued for several years. Low water, more anglers and fewer mature steelhead returning to the streams resulted in a few years of mediocre steelhead fishing.
In 2017 Lake Erie walleye anglers enjoyed the most productive year in recent memory, and they’re giddy with anticipation for 2018 when all those sublegal ‘eyes that were released will be keepers.
Some steelheaders are wondering how the huge walleye year-class may impact future steelhead runs.
“It shouldn’t impact the fish here as much,” said Chuck Murray, Lake Erie fisheries manager for the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission. “The 2015 walleye year-class wasn’t a force to be reckoned with, so predation of [the smolts stocked that year] shouldn’t affect this year’s runs.”
In fact, early signs in late September suggested plentiful fall runs, he said.
The 2017-18 walleye impact on 2020-21 steelhead remains to be seen, but a few things have changed since the walleye’s 2003 smorgasbord. Fish and Boat and its cooperative nursery partners still raise and stock 1 million smolts per year, but today’s smolts have a better chance of surviving the walleye gauntlet.
“We’ve recently increased the size of the juvenile steelhead,” Murray said. “Based on research that has taken place in the Great Lakes, the optimal size for release is 108 millimeters, 7.1 inches on average.”
It costs more to grow that extra inch on 1 million small rainbow trout, but Murray said increased survivability of the smolt justifies the expense. Nearly all of the smolt are planted within two or three weeks in late February and early March.
“You want them to stay [in their home waters] for a couple of weeks to imprint, but you don’t want them to stay too long,” Murray said.
Even before the smolts meet ravenous schools of walleye and other fish near the tributary mouths they’re preyed upon by raccoons, mink, osprey, herons, gulls, blue jays — just about anything capable of killing them.
“We did some research on [emigration],” Murray said. “It seems like about three weeks to a month when the bulk of the fish have moved. THIS WEEK: To increase the likelihood of big steelhead runs, the state Fish and Boat Commission should stock more smolts. • Yes • No • LAST WEEK: With the bear population at an historic high, Pennsylvania’s statewide firearm bear season should be expanded to more than four days? … We know that walleye are a predator of steelhead smolt, but it’s very difficult to tell to what extent.”
One thing is certain. A 24or 25-inch walleye will eat an 8-inch juvenile steelhead, and in the next few years a lot of good-size walleye will be in the waters off Erie County.
The price of poaching
Multiple charges were filed against an Ohio youth and Beaver County man accused of deer poaching in South Beaver. A tip filed through the state Game Commission’s Operation Game Thief program led to an investigation that resulted in criminal complaints against the 17-yearold juvenile and Eric Bailes, 19, of South Beaver.
The Game Commission alleges the defendants killed 10 deer through illegal means on two nights in October. Investigating wildlife conservation officers claim the youth operated a vehicle and shot the deer while Bailes assisted and collected “choice meats” from the corpses.
If convicted of the four charges made against him, Bailes could be liable to fines up to $15,000, as many as 36 months of imprisonment and denial of hunting privileges for 15 years in Pennsylvania and other states and provinces. The criminal complaint against the Ohio youth will be adjudicated by Beaver County Juvenile Services. If convicted on all charges he could face the same penalties as Bailes.
Monetary rewards may be paid in some circumstances to people who call in tips about crimes committed against big game species and protected, endangered or threatened animals. Operation Game Thief can be reached at any time toll free at 1-888-PGC-8001 or online at www.pgc.pa.gov. Anonymous tips accepted.