08-15-2012, 07:06 PM
[cool][#0000ff]I have sent requests for input to a couple of DWR folks...so far without reply. I'll keep on it.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]My feelings and observations are that the rainbows are operating mostly at a different level than the walleyes...and are not a significant deterrent to walleye recruitment or growth. Sure, they both have lots of small crawdads in their gut right now, but as long as they are all feeding well...what's the problem? [/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]On an ongoing basis the rainbows cruise and feed in the upper part of the water column. There is a healthy crop of zooplankton and other invertebrates in Starvation that helps produce big healthy bows with bright red flesh. Walleyes feed lower down and on perch fry and other small fish when they can get them. The abundant perch population produces fast quantities of Wallie Chow every year. No longer the numbers of once abundant chubs but plenty of toothsome perch. Most of the bigger walleyes I keep and fillet have remnants of perch...up to about 8 inches at times.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]The "flip side" is that trout are commonly caught on the bottom while feeding on baby perch or bottom-dwelling invertebrates...and walleyes are frequently caught at mid depth over deep water. Why? Because perch fry move up in the water column to feed on the zooplankton and the predators follow. I have seen many schools of bigger perch and walleyes in and around schools of tiny tykes on sonar. And I have caught uncounted walleyes while pulling bubble and fly rigs for trout or slow trolling spinners less than 15 feet deep.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I have fished Starvation since the 1970s and have seen it "evolve" through its different phases. I tend to disagree with those who blame the rainbows for all the small walleyes. I personally caught more small ones and fewer larger ones before the bows. Yes, there are a lot more smaller ones than larger ones...always. But the nature of walleyes is to be more hungry and aggressive while young and then to change habitat and feeding habits as they grow older...and smarter.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]Those who doubt the numbers need to change their fishing patterns. During the summer they need to fish at night and use big baits...or troll big crankbaits after dark both near shore and offshore in shallower water. The big fish are feeding but not as often. They raid a pile of night-dormant perch, quickly eat their fill and then lay on the bottom and burp until their next glut. The young ones are like human teenagers...always hungry and they will eat anything that doesn't eat them first. That's why everybody catches more seegars than gators.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff]I personally believe there is plenty of room in the food chain for a carefully maintained population of sterile rainbows. They eat different groceries...for the most part...and they definitely provide super fishing for a lot of folks that just can't seem to dial in the big perch or walleyes.[/#0000ff]
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[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]My feelings and observations are that the rainbows are operating mostly at a different level than the walleyes...and are not a significant deterrent to walleye recruitment or growth. Sure, they both have lots of small crawdads in their gut right now, but as long as they are all feeding well...what's the problem? [/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]On an ongoing basis the rainbows cruise and feed in the upper part of the water column. There is a healthy crop of zooplankton and other invertebrates in Starvation that helps produce big healthy bows with bright red flesh. Walleyes feed lower down and on perch fry and other small fish when they can get them. The abundant perch population produces fast quantities of Wallie Chow every year. No longer the numbers of once abundant chubs but plenty of toothsome perch. Most of the bigger walleyes I keep and fillet have remnants of perch...up to about 8 inches at times.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]The "flip side" is that trout are commonly caught on the bottom while feeding on baby perch or bottom-dwelling invertebrates...and walleyes are frequently caught at mid depth over deep water. Why? Because perch fry move up in the water column to feed on the zooplankton and the predators follow. I have seen many schools of bigger perch and walleyes in and around schools of tiny tykes on sonar. And I have caught uncounted walleyes while pulling bubble and fly rigs for trout or slow trolling spinners less than 15 feet deep.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I have fished Starvation since the 1970s and have seen it "evolve" through its different phases. I tend to disagree with those who blame the rainbows for all the small walleyes. I personally caught more small ones and fewer larger ones before the bows. Yes, there are a lot more smaller ones than larger ones...always. But the nature of walleyes is to be more hungry and aggressive while young and then to change habitat and feeding habits as they grow older...and smarter.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]Those who doubt the numbers need to change their fishing patterns. During the summer they need to fish at night and use big baits...or troll big crankbaits after dark both near shore and offshore in shallower water. The big fish are feeding but not as often. They raid a pile of night-dormant perch, quickly eat their fill and then lay on the bottom and burp until their next glut. The young ones are like human teenagers...always hungry and they will eat anything that doesn't eat them first. That's why everybody catches more seegars than gators.[/#0000ff]
[#0000ff][/#0000ff]
[#0000ff]I personally believe there is plenty of room in the food chain for a carefully maintained population of sterile rainbows. They eat different groceries...for the most part...and they definitely provide super fishing for a lot of folks that just can't seem to dial in the big perch or walleyes.[/#0000ff]
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