I think there is a failure to communicate. While very few lakes (270, allegedly and in the absence of data at the moment) may be currently sustaining in the face of current fishing pressure, in the absence of fishing and stocking, how many lakes would have walleyes? That is the fundamental question with respect to how many lakes have spawning sufficient for a viable population. The answer is going to be a hell of a lot more than 270, of that I am sure.
So, adding back fishing but cutting the limits to 4 from 6 will increase that 270 to something larger. How much, we do not have data (here on this forum), so we can armchair all we want, but we are just guessing. And for how long, in face of ever increasing fishing pressure and efficiency? Maybe not too
Where the Walleyes Are | May–June 2018 | Minnesota Conservation Volunteer
www.dnr.state.mn.us
At this point I might just pour some scotch too! HahaI think there is a failure to communicate. While very few lakes (270, allegedly and in the absence of data at the moment) may be currently sustaining in the face of current fishing pressure, in the absence of fishing and stocking, how many lakes would have walleyes? That is the fundamental question with respect to how many lakes have spawning sufficient for a viable population. The answer is going to be a hell of a lot more than 270, of that I am sure.
So, adding back fishing but cutting the limits to 4 from 6 will increase that 270 to something larger. How much, we do not have data (here on this forum), so we can armchair all we want, but we are just guessing. And for how long, in face of ever increasing fishing pressure and efficiency? Maybe not too long.