Tuned in to walleyes (FISH Alert)

Echo Press ^ | 10/09/02 | Joe Albert

[NormsRevenge]

Tuned in to walleyes

By Joe Albert, Staff Reporter

Wednesday, 10/09/02

  
Echo Press photo by Joe Albert
Jerry Wendlandt (top) inserted radio transmitters into the bellies of six walleyes on Lake Osakis on Monday. The transmitters will allow the Department of Natural Resources to track the fish and find out where they spawn. The Lake Osakis Lake Association will use that information to help improve future projects.

Standing on the shores of Lake Osakis on Monday, Jerry Wendlandt stitched up 6-pound walleyes with surgeon-like skill.

Wendlandt, a natural resources specialist for the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) division of fish and wildlife, cut small slits in the bellies of the fish, inserted radio tracking devices and quickly sewed them up.

"The real objective is to tell us where walleyes travel so we can improve future projects," said Haven Wiegers, president of the Lake Osakis Lake Association, which is sponsoring the project.

Wendlandt inserted transmitters in six walleyes on Monday. Transmitters will be implanted in a total of 15 mature walleyes.

The focus is to find where walleyes spawn so the association can improve both spawning habitat and natural reproduction, Wiegers said.

The cost of the project is about $3,000. The association is offering an "Adopt a Walleye" program in which each individual or business would donate $160.

The primary cost of the project is in the transmitters. Each has its own frequency and is individually numbered to allow the DNR to know the precise fish it is tracking.

"If you see a fish in the 5- to 6-pound range with a wire in it, please let it go," Wiegers said.

The fish with transmitters in them will have 12-inch trailers coming from their bellies, Wendlandt said.

If anglers keep a tracked fish, they are asked to call the DNR fisheries office in Glenwood at (320) 634-4573.

But Wiegers encourages anglers to release them, as they will provide valuable information to help upgrade Lake Osakis’ walleye fishery.

"Even though the DNR stocks seven million walleye fry per year in Lake Osakis, an improvement in natural reproduction will improve the fishery and be more valuable," he said.

[NormsRevenge]

Fish Profiling ;-)

[Grit]

I'm afraid it is against my religion to release 5 to 6 pound wally.

[Mike Darancette]

5 to 6 pound Walleyes should be released into hot grease after being coated with cornmeal batter with selected herbs and spices.

[NormsRevenge]

I'd lean toward a beer batter and frying 'em in butter myself but what the heck, ya only live once!