OSHKOSH, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) – Anglers will soon be catching fewer walleye on the Lake Winnebago System.
New reduced bag limits go into effect April 1st.
The current daily bag limit is five, but starting next week, fishermen will only be able to keep three walleye per day. That includes Lake Winnebago, the Upriver Lakes of Poygan, Winneconne, and Butte des Morts, as well as the tributaries which feed the system.
The Department of Natural Resources Fisheries Biologists say limiting the amount of fish taken will help sustain a strong walleye population, while providing good recreational opportunities for those fishing. So what do anglers think?
“It’s going to help out the population, because every so few years, they put more walleye in Lake Winnebago. So they start out as babies, and then they grow. And a lot of people keep any size and that’s just killing the population really down, because those small ones aren’t getting big,” said Jon Roth, Oshkosh.
“This system, I truly believe can take care of itself. And the biggest thing that I don’t like is you’re hurting the average fisherman taking only three fish,” said Mark Wenzel, Oshkosh.
“I think it’s a pretty good idea, having a smaller bag limit to get the walleye population back up. And I think there should be a size limit with it also. But, it is what it is. You’re not going to get nothing really over 18 in here anyways,” said Dylan Bancroft, Omro.
The new rules are in place indefinitely.
DNR fisheries biologists will continue to evaluate the changes each year.
