Fishing has slowed some, but the nite bite continues for the Walleye.  The Perch bite is not what most would like to see this time of year.  The Jumbos, (12-14″) are few and far between most of the catch is the 8-10″ range, with an occasional 11″.

The ice conditions are good with average thickness at 22-24″ and the pressure ridge is a little more stable with the snow cover.  At least when it moves it’s not as drastic.  We are letting trucks with single axle wheelhouses across it along with portable traffic, so all roads shown on our map are accessible.

I’m beginning to wonder about the bite and how many Walleyes there really are out there, With the way they are biting now and no new food supply until June-July with baitfish, Walleye fry,etc.  And the lack of bigger Perch shows that they have become more of a food fish than they used to be. How are they going to be biting next spring?  I think it’s time to start thinking differently in terms of management of the Walleye and do it soon.  Or we are headed right back to the “big fish” pattern that ate all our Walleye fry and caused the loss of year classes we had during the 5 or so years prior to 2013.  The Tribes need to rethink their way of harvesting their fish also.  If they really want to help sustain this lake they need to quit the netting in the spring during the spawn and just spear. That way they can selectively maintain a balance by harvesting different sizes. And another thing they should be doing is not gill-netting Perch in the spring at all. If the bands choose not to it will prove at least to me that they are talking out of both sides of their mouth when it comes to conservation and preservation. And it’s time you anglers start speaking up.. don’t just sit there and watch go backwards again.

Keep a Tight LIne!!   Eddy