Trevor R Rhodes
04-03-2007, 03:27 PM
Just a reminder to all anglers who want to enter the draw for walleye on Pigeon Lake, Lake Newell, and Wolf Lake that the deadline for draw applications is Wednesday April 11, 2007. Following considerable consultation with anglers, the following changes have been made to the Special Walleye Licence for 2007 in order to improve angler participation and achieve fish harvest objectives:
• The number of walleye tags issued per licence has increased from 1 fish per licence in 2006 to 2 for large walleye (>50cm), 3 for medium (43-50cm) or 3 for small walleye (under 43cm) per licence. The number of tags available in 2007 is more than double the number available in 2006.
• Draw applications may be made at a licence issuer ($3.25) or by calling 1-900-451-3729 ($3.25 for 1st minute plus $1.15/additional minute).
• Draw applications will be accepted from March 21 to April 11, prior to the opening of the fishing season.
• The walleye harvest season for Special Walleye Licence holders has been lengthened to four months (from two).
• Undersubscribed licences can be reserved this year by calling 1-900-451-3729 ($1.25 per minute) between May 4 (8:15 am) and May 24, 2007 on a first-come, first-served basis this year.
The following links provide complete details of the Licence and draw application process:
For more information:
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fish...lleye.html (http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fishing/special_walleye.html)
Special Walleye Draw Brochure:
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fish..._20072.pdf (http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fishing/pdf/fish_draws_brochure_20072.pdf)
Frequently asked questions:
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fish..._faqs.html (http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fishing/special_walleye_faqs.html)
The Special Walleye Licence is a pilot project to assess an innovative licencing tool that allows a harvest of walleye on lakes that are developing (e.g. stocked) or recovering (e.g. collapsed) and have specific age classes or sizes of walleye at densities that can support some harvest. This harvest must, however, be carefully controlled. Fishing pressure is too high on these lakes to open harvest to even just one walleye which could lead to collapse of the walleye population.
Because fishing pressure is so high regulation options such as short seasons or slot limits will also not ensure the population is sustained. In slot limits, all walleye in the slot could potentially be removed, resulting in a gap in ages and potential problems for spawning in the future. The goal is to target specific sizes that have large densities in the lake. Sufficient stock must be maintained to provide enough spawning individuals to sustain the population. Having an annual quota of walleye per angler (e.g. a licence that gets punched or signed each time a fish is harvested) will also not ensure there is enough protection for stocks, since potentially more anglers could fish a specific lake, and harvest their quota, than the lake can sustain.
Simple fact is there is just more anglers on some lakes wanting to keep just one walleye than there are available walleye! The draw was seen as a fair and equitable method of allowing some walleye to be kept by anglers on lakes with very specific circumstances. A draw/tag system is not required nor the most effective or efficient licencing tool on many lakes (e.g. with stable and healthy walleye populations).
I encourage all interested walleye anglers to participate in this opportunity to keep walleye on otherwise catch-and-release lakes and assist us in our evaluation of the Special Walleye Licence in this 2nd year of a 2 year pilot program.
Trevor Rhodes
Head, Fish and Wildlife Management
Prairies Area
Sustainable Resource Development
• The number of walleye tags issued per licence has increased from 1 fish per licence in 2006 to 2 for large walleye (>50cm), 3 for medium (43-50cm) or 3 for small walleye (under 43cm) per licence. The number of tags available in 2007 is more than double the number available in 2006.
• Draw applications may be made at a licence issuer ($3.25) or by calling 1-900-451-3729 ($3.25 for 1st minute plus $1.15/additional minute).
• Draw applications will be accepted from March 21 to April 11, prior to the opening of the fishing season.
• The walleye harvest season for Special Walleye Licence holders has been lengthened to four months (from two).
• Undersubscribed licences can be reserved this year by calling 1-900-451-3729 ($1.25 per minute) between May 4 (8:15 am) and May 24, 2007 on a first-come, first-served basis this year.
The following links provide complete details of the Licence and draw application process:
For more information:
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fish...lleye.html (http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fishing/special_walleye.html)
Special Walleye Draw Brochure:
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fish..._20072.pdf (http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fishing/pdf/fish_draws_brochure_20072.pdf)
Frequently asked questions:
www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fish..._faqs.html (http://www.srd.gov.ab.ca/fw/fishing/special_walleye_faqs.html)
The Special Walleye Licence is a pilot project to assess an innovative licencing tool that allows a harvest of walleye on lakes that are developing (e.g. stocked) or recovering (e.g. collapsed) and have specific age classes or sizes of walleye at densities that can support some harvest. This harvest must, however, be carefully controlled. Fishing pressure is too high on these lakes to open harvest to even just one walleye which could lead to collapse of the walleye population.
Because fishing pressure is so high regulation options such as short seasons or slot limits will also not ensure the population is sustained. In slot limits, all walleye in the slot could potentially be removed, resulting in a gap in ages and potential problems for spawning in the future. The goal is to target specific sizes that have large densities in the lake. Sufficient stock must be maintained to provide enough spawning individuals to sustain the population. Having an annual quota of walleye per angler (e.g. a licence that gets punched or signed each time a fish is harvested) will also not ensure there is enough protection for stocks, since potentially more anglers could fish a specific lake, and harvest their quota, than the lake can sustain.
Simple fact is there is just more anglers on some lakes wanting to keep just one walleye than there are available walleye! The draw was seen as a fair and equitable method of allowing some walleye to be kept by anglers on lakes with very specific circumstances. A draw/tag system is not required nor the most effective or efficient licencing tool on many lakes (e.g. with stable and healthy walleye populations).
I encourage all interested walleye anglers to participate in this opportunity to keep walleye on otherwise catch-and-release lakes and assist us in our evaluation of the Special Walleye Licence in this 2nd year of a 2 year pilot program.
Trevor Rhodes
Head, Fish and Wildlife Management
Prairies Area
Sustainable Resource Development