03-16-2016, 02:48 PM
[#0000FF]For many years the inlet WAS closed to angling during the spawn...much like the inlets for Utah Lake. I couldn't believe it when it was reopened. But I could believe the wholesale snagging that takes place there. But because the violators often have others watching for DWR arrivals they are seldom caught in the act. Even plain clothes officers are usually spotted and the illegal harvest slows or ceases.
What is worse is that when you confront someone keeping a snagged fish their excuse is often "I didn't mean to snag it...so it's legal." Yeah, right. That big treble hook on your line is for soaking Power Bait. Right? And those big long jerks are just to keep the weeds off. Right?
The best we can do is to keep reporting what we see to DWR. Use your cell phone to call the number on your license...to report poaching. Hopefully, if enough of us who care make enough noise we can get the inlet closed in the future.
It is definitely not because there is a surplus of big walleyes in Willard. True, there is little successful spawning and recruitment from the inlet...because of the siltation of the eggs. But that is no reason to allow non-sportsmen the right to snag walleyes when they are at their most vulnerable. We pay our license and daily use fees for the chance to catch a few of those fish LEGALLY during the rest of the year.
And NO the walleyes do not turn mushy during the spawn...like trout. Their flesh is always firm and white...even the larger females. Those who believe in releasing large females perpetuate the myth that they are not good eating. Not so. But it is always better for the resource to release the larger spawning fish and keep the smaller ones. Those around 20 inches are ideal...and more plentiful.
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What is worse is that when you confront someone keeping a snagged fish their excuse is often "I didn't mean to snag it...so it's legal." Yeah, right. That big treble hook on your line is for soaking Power Bait. Right? And those big long jerks are just to keep the weeds off. Right?
The best we can do is to keep reporting what we see to DWR. Use your cell phone to call the number on your license...to report poaching. Hopefully, if enough of us who care make enough noise we can get the inlet closed in the future.
It is definitely not because there is a surplus of big walleyes in Willard. True, there is little successful spawning and recruitment from the inlet...because of the siltation of the eggs. But that is no reason to allow non-sportsmen the right to snag walleyes when they are at their most vulnerable. We pay our license and daily use fees for the chance to catch a few of those fish LEGALLY during the rest of the year.
And NO the walleyes do not turn mushy during the spawn...like trout. Their flesh is always firm and white...even the larger females. Those who believe in releasing large females perpetuate the myth that they are not good eating. Not so. But it is always better for the resource to release the larger spawning fish and keep the smaller ones. Those around 20 inches are ideal...and more plentiful.
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