Are you happy with Wabamun walleye limits? Cast a vote.

[smitty9]

Been years since I've fished Wabamun. Yet the common theme that emerges when I read reports / commentary is that the walleye population explosion has come at the expense of other sportfish, most notably pike.

The continual message from AEP has been that the lake will "rebalance" itself over time.

So, as I read it, you are allowed to apply for a Class C SHL tag, allowing for 2 walleye under 43cm.

So...that begets the question; are you happy with the current harvest limits on Wabamun? Should they be tweaked?

When one looks at the regs elsewhere, like NB1, there are lakes where a SHL is not required, and anglers can take one fish every day within the slot size (then respecting possession limits, which is a bit of joke and we'll save that rant for another day, lol).

So here are some options, should the walleye harvest limits:

1. Remain status quo; SHL Class C harvest, 2 fish per license holder per annum?
2. Changed to a daily limit of 1 (no SHL required), with, if appropriate, a slot or min or max size limit?
3. Increase limits via 1 or 2, or try something experimental, if you feel the walleye pop. needs thinning out like have a 10 week harvest season, 2 to 3 fish per day, no size limit? Vote for this even if your idea is different, but you just - in general - feel there needs to be more harvest.
4. Revert back to zero limit?


Smitty

[Remps17]

4

There is no winning. More walleye less pike, more pike less walleye.

[Smoky buck]

I hate the tag system and would be in support of option 2

To add to that stock forage species

[StiksnStrings]

I hate the tag system and would be in support of option 2

To add to that stock forage species

^ This x2 ^

[sns2]

I think #2 would make me most happy. I can’t believe they destroyed a genuine trophy pike lake 45 minutes away from a major city. What a gem it was. Now… stunted walleye with a ski tag. Damn.

[SNAPFisher]

If there are really that many walleye - I haven't fished it since the good ole days:

Option 5: Open it up to walleye retention of 2 walleye a day for a year or two 50 and under cm and monitor to see if a 3rd year can be supported. Following reduction of walleye try slot size and monitor. Tags only if absolutely needed and anglers vote for it at that point in time. I.e. stays as slot if majority wants it.

[sureshot]

I think #2 would make me most happy. I can’t believe they destroyed a genuine trophy pike lake 45 minutes away from a major city. What a gem it was. Now… stunted walleye with a ski tag. Damn.


I agrée. You could catch 10-15 pounders all day long. The guy who decided to put all those walleye in there should be slapped. These guys have no clue what they’re doing.


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[DiabeticKripple]

I agrée. You could catch 10-15 pounders all day long. The guy who decided to put all those walleye in there should be slapped. These guys have no clue what they’re doing.


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Yep.

Let’s take arguably the best pike fishery in Alberta, and turn it into another stunted walleye lake when Lac St. Anne is 20 mins away. Blows my mind.

[AK47]

Yes, it needs a change. Option 2 or 3. Make it 3 fish under 50 cm. Keep bigger fish, weed smaller ones out. Then after couple years make slot limit - 1 keeper between 50-55cm. Problem solved.

[bushnell]

They screwed up Pigeon with the walleye. Now Wabamun. So whats the next lake on the list

[EZM]

My suggestion, quite simply, is to put a general limit on for a few weeks and allow harvest of walleye. Maybe 3 fish per person.

Open it up, and patrol it with F&W guys for a few weeks, and the fishermen will definitely put a dent in it. No need for tags, an open limit all season where controlling and monitoring it could be tough, etc...

[pikergolf]

I agrée. You could catch 10-15 pounders all day long. The guy who decided to put all those walleye in there should be slapped. These guys have no clue what they’re doing.


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They are following what the people want. The very vocal stock walleye everywhere people anyways. So many good pike lakes ruined by walleye stocking. The flip side of this is that in the south we have had massive white fish die offs due to the heat and lack of wind, so the pike are not doing well in that regard anyways.

[guru fisher]

2 or 3 need to start harvesting and thinning the lake out. Once thats done close it again. And the big jacks might start coming back

[pikergolf]

I would like to see a special license for walleye. 20 or 30 bucks, they hand you so many (tbd, I don't how) but I am guessing 4 to 8? You can spend them on whatever lake you want, when they are gone you cannot take anymore home. The lakes with lots would get thinned and the lakes in trouble would hopefully get a reprieve. Easy to admin.

[Smoky buck]

I would like to see a special license for walleye. 20 or 30 bucks, they hand you so many (tbd, I don't how) but I am guessing 4 to 8? You can spend them on whatever lake you want, when they are gone you cannot take anymore home. The lakes with lots would get thinned and the lakes in trouble would hopefully get a reprieve. Easy to admin.

Do what they do with halibut in BC no tag but annual bag limit you keep a record of

[Curtsyneil]

There shouldn’t be any special harvest license on any Alberta lakes for walleye. I think all lakes should be open to one walleye per day to a selected slot size for that intended lake for the size of walleye it holds.

[fish99]

There shouldn’t be any special harvest license on any Alberta lakes for walleye. I think all lakes should be open to one walleye per day to a selected slot size for that intended lake for the size of walleye it holds.

2X

[-JR-]

#4 zero limit as they need to grow much bigger .

[Smoky buck]

#4 zero limit as they need to grow much bigger .

Over population combined with lack of forage equals poor growth

You will likely see bigger walleye long term by thinning them out and improving forage base

If you want bigger walleye their numbers need to be in balance with available feed

[Sundancefisher]

Option 6

Rotenone the whole lake and restock with small mouth bass and black crappie and muskies.

[Smoky buck]

Option 6

Rotenone the whole lake and restock with small mouth bass and black crappie and muskies.

Hmm even though this would be so wrong in many ways I would fish Wab more if it had musky

[-JR-]

Over population combined with lack of forage equals poor growth

You will likely see bigger walleye long term by thinning them out and improving forage base

If you want bigger walleye their numbers need to be in balance with available feed

I don't believe in this ,that fish get stunted in a very large body of water like Wabamun . I think there are more fish in Pigeon and they are doing just fine .
Its not like there are tones of walleye all over Wab. Sure there are tones of them around Fallis ,but when you pull one up they have minnows other than mine in their mouth . So they are not starving. They just need time to get big .
I rather have a lake I can bring my grandkids to so they can catch many smaller walleye rather than 3 big walleye all day .

[Smoky buck]

I don't believe in this ,that fish get stunted in a very large body of water like Wabamun . I think there are more fish in Pigeon and they are doing just fine .
Its not like there are tones of walleye all over Wab. Sure there are tones of them around Fallis ,but when you pull one up they have minnows other than mine in their mouth . So they are not starving. They just need time to get big .
I rather have a lake I can bring my grandkids to so they can catch many smaller walleye rather than 3 big walleye all day .

Your opinion of a fishery that is doing fine and mine are definitely different from the examples you are giving

I have a pretty good understanding of what is needed to achieve growth in fish considering it was my job/business for 10 years. Wab will not be anything special with present management even with time. It doesn’t have a healthy forage base but this is an issue in many Alberta lakes

But hey if you are happy with a runt walleye fishery that is your choice. Honestly pigeon is far from a good example of a quality fishery either

To each their own personal I rarely fish Wab even though it’s close to home because it’s a poor fishery. I won’t even take a little kid for there first fish there because there is better options

[-JR-]

Your opinion of a fishery that is doing fine and mine are definitely different from the examples you are giving

I have a pretty good understanding of what is needed to achieve growth in fish considering it was my job/business for 10 years. Wab will not be anything special with present management even with time. It doesn’t have a healthy forage base but this is an issue in many Alberta lakes

But hey if you are happy with a runt walleye fishery that is your choice. Honestly pigeon is far from a good example of a quality fishery either

To each their own personal I rarely fish Wab even though it’s close to home because it’s a poor fishery. I won’t even take a little kid for there first fish there because there is better options

My family has been around this lake for many years . I remember my dad telling me a story there used to be so many fish in this lake they used to take the horse wagon to the narrows where the train bridge is and pitch fork the fish in the wagon for the mink farm in Stony where they lived . When I was younger I think the catch limit was 10 pike or walleye each and 50 perch .It did not take long to fish this lake out with nets and rods . We finally got some fish back in the lake . The bigger fish have been illegally removed over the last 5 years . Just need 5 more years for these fish to grow ,just like we did at pigeon lake .
PS . What is your job now ?

[AlbertanGP]

I rather have a lake I can bring my grandkids to so they can catch many smaller walleye rather than 3 big walleye all day .

And from my discussions with fisheries biologists, you are in the vast majority. Which is why our lakes are managed the way they are. I'm not saying you're wrong to prefer that type of fishery. I'm just pointing out why the fisheries are managed the way they are. The biologists I've talked too aren't too excited about it either.

[Smoky buck]

So what is your job ?

Was owner operator of an aquaculture for those 10 years, which also included developing private fisheries, Stocking private lakes, was on of BC top producers I was a chairman for the freshwater aquaculture industry in BC, and I was also brought in as a specialist by dfo for government hatcheries. I could add more to the list but that should give you an idea

Sold my outfit 8 years ago and choose to for as a heavy equipment operator presently. Got sick of headaches and ever changing regulations

Left the industry but still know a thing or 2 about fish and the factors that effect them

Now you have some of my background what are your credentials?

Had my flights and all expenses paid to speak regarding my knowledge so not to concerned if you don’t agree with my opinion

[-JR-]

Been a fishermen for over 60 years .
Just sitting back over the years you can see how Wabaman has been managed.
Not very good as you said. Population in Edmonton has grown so much the lakes can not keep up, even the parking lots are full by noon and they are building a new one as we speak on the south side of the lake There is talk about letting everyone keep one fish a day . We both know this is not the answer That would be like 1000 fish on any given weekend if not more . Let it be a fishery not a grocery store . If you want to catch big fish give it time.
Mean while like you said, drive farther out to a different lake , like I do also.

[Smoky buck]

Been a fishermen for over 60 years .

Only 38 years as a fisherman you got me lol

Not going to beat this dead horse you like Wabs management I don’t let’s leave it there

[Smoky buck]

Reading that post I make too many typos when I just get home after nights going to sleep

[Outbound]

Gonna go against the grain and say there should be no bag or size limits on walleye. Pull em all out, then stock a few little ones as a food source to let the pike thrive.

But I'm one of the 3 people in Alberta who doesn't like walleye. :fighting0030:

[Curtsyneil]

Buck lake is a perfect example of having a proper slot size for the size of fish the lake holds. I’ve fished the lake for a very long time and have now seen how well the right regs will help a fishery. Before a slot size it was 1 fish a day over 50cm. Sometimes my family wouldn’t catch a keeper walleye all year long and if lucky we would catch 1 over 50cm maybe!!The slot now is 45-50cm and 1 fish a day and I personally have caught more over 50cm fish then ever before!! The fish are getting bigger because harvesting is happening and prime breeders are getting thrown back. Allowing those prime breeders to stay in the lake will only help the fishery!! Allowing people to keep a fish in the slot will only help the fishery. Open up these lakes already it’s time to start harvesting!!

[-JR-]

That sure works good for lakes that are farther out and only see maybe 40-50 boats out on the water on a weekend . I would hate to see 200 fishing boats out there with maybe 3 fishermen in each boat .

[Smoky buck]

Buck lake is a perfect example of having a proper slot size for the size of fish the lake holds. I’ve fished the lake for a very long time and have now seen how well the right regs will help a fishery. Before a slot size it was 1 fish a day over 50cm. Sometimes my family wouldn’t catch a keeper walleye all year long and if lucky we would catch 1 over 50cm maybe!!The slot now is 45-50cm and 1 fish a day and I personally have caught more over 50cm fish then ever before!! The fish are getting bigger because harvesting is happening and prime breeders are getting thrown back. Allowing those prime breeders to stay in the lake will only help the fishery!! Allowing people to keep a fish in the slot will only help the fishery. Open up these lakes already it’s time to start harvesting!!

It definitely is working at buck to prevent over harvest on a lake that sees plenty of pressure to be comparable when you factor in the difference in size

Even buck has had a crash of prey species. All one has to do is talk to FW regarding the species being caught and look at the pike that are like snakes majority of time

Need to stock more forage species

[-JR-]

I agree but they waited for them to get larger before they released the dogs.

Last time I fished there it must have been 5 years ago and most were very small . It just takes time for a lake to recover in numbers then let them grow ,rather than thinning out the heard until there is none again . Best to let them grow to a productive size . Then you can start plucking out a few of the mid range fish and let the breeders alone .

[fish99]

Buck lake is a perfect example of having a proper slot size for the size of fish the lake holds. I’ve fished the lake for a very long time and have now seen how well the right regs will help a fishery. Before a slot size it was 1 fish a day over 50cm. Sometimes my family wouldn’t catch a keeper walleye all year long and if lucky we would catch 1 over 50cm maybe!!The slot now is 45-50cm and 1 fish a day and I personally have caught more over 50cm fish then ever before!! The fish are getting bigger because harvesting is happening and prime breeders are getting thrown back. Allowing those prime breeders to stay in the lake will only help the fishery!! Allowing people to keep a fish in the slot will only help the fishery. Open up these lakes already it’s time to start harvesting!!

2X

[EZM]

Over population combined with lack of forage equals poor growth

You will likely see bigger walleye long term by thinning them out and improving forage base

If you want bigger walleye their numbers need to be in balance with available feed

This is 100% accurate.

And it is supported by science and reality. Proven time and time and time again.

Leavin' them fish be' (not thinning them out) will only exasperate the current issue and cause the stunting of age/growth characteristics for that watershed.

[EZM]

I agree but they waited for them to get larger before they released the dogs.

Last time I fished there it must have been 5 years ago and most were very small . It just takes time for a lake to recover in numbers then let them grow ,rather than thinning out the heard until there is none again . Best to let them grow to a productive size . Then you can start plucking out a few of the mid range fish and let the breeders alone .

See my last post. With all due respect, what will recover in a lake with no forage? it's not like more minnows will become available and appear on their own all the walleye will have plenty to eat by just letting them continue to out compete and starve themselves.

They can't grow big, or healthy if they are starving. The available biomass eating that forage is way outa whack there. Trust me, he's 100% correct here and there is only one viable solution here. only one. And that's thinning out or reducing the population (the biomass in that part of the food chain) of the predator fish like walleye.

That is the fastest way to begin the recovery and re-balance the mess we made when we dumped in millions of walleye in there.

[SNAPFisher]

Well, at least the problem is not being compounded over the last year. No walleye were stocked in Wab.

I did take the 2022 stocking report and converted into Excel. For walleye, 16 lakes stocked with a total of 3,748,054 walleye fry. I say fry because that is all that was stocked. Nothing of larger size for walleye. (See attached)

[eyeflyer]

They screwed up Pigeon with the walleye. Now Wabamun. So whats the next lake on the list

They definitely mis-managed the walleye on Pigeon, hopefully they have learned something since then. In the heyday I would say Pigeon lake was bordering on a...........maybe not a world class walleye fishery but definitely a North American "go to" for walleye fishing. Caught my only 10lb plus walleye in Alberta at Pigeon (but only 1)out of there back in the mid 2000's

[eyeflyer]

Well, at least the problem is not being compounded over the last year. No walleye were stocked in Wab.

I did take the 2022 stocking report and converted into Excel. For walleye, 16 lakes stocked with a total of 3,748,054 walleye fry. I say fry because that is all that was stocked. Nothing of larger size for walleye. (See attached)

I was talking to a biologist this spring and he said they are trying a different approach to walleye stocking. Instead of trying to "rebuild" walleye fisheries they are going to try making them put and take fisheries similar to most of the stillwater trout fisheries. He said they were starting a pilot project this spring (2022) on 10 bodies of water in southern Alberta and if it works they will be implementing it throughout the province. They have done this in SK. for years it will be interesting to see how it turns out.

[Frank_NK28]

Option 6

Rotenone the whole lake and restock with small mouth bass and black crappie and muskies.

Don't leave out Largemouth! There is nothing near as fun as a lake that has both Bucketmouths and Smallies.

[WayneChristie]

They definitely mis-managed the walleye on Pigeon, hopefully they have learned something since then. In the heyday I would say Pigeon lake was bordering on a...........maybe not a world class walleye fishery but definitely a North American "go to" for walleye fishing. Caught my only 10lb plus walleye in Alberta at Pigeon (but only 1)out of there back in the mid 2000's

Im not really much of a walleye fisherman, but the number of walleye I catch over 10 pounds in Alberta shows me that we have a LOT of big fish in a lot of lakes, you have to work for them but we have a lot. Rivers and lakes both. Most people wont put in the time and effort to find them. I bet there are at least 10 lakes plus the 3 rivers down south that have a good chance to break the record. I hope Wab fish get that size so everyone has a chance to get shaky when they catch a gooder! :sHa_shakeshout:

[Landshark]

In August of this year, 2022, I went fishing at Wabamun and found the lake full of algae. This caused the Walleye to die and float on top for the seagulls to eat. There were a few hundred dead Walleye that day. The Jack fish seemed to be less affected by this. I wonder if there is a way to stop the algae from forming so heavily. I don't keep any of the fish I may catch there. I like fishing but not so much for eating.

I'll place my vote on #3

[SNAPFisher]

They screwed up Pigeon with the walleye. Now Wabamun. So whats the next lake on the list

Gull? Would seem they could screw that one up next. Or is is more screwing with something that is already screwed?

[Worm]

In August of this year, 2022, I went fishing at Wabamun and found the lake full of algae. This caused the Walleye to die and float on top for the seagulls to eat. There were a few hundred dead Walleye that day. The Jack fish seemed to be less affected by this. I wonder if there is a way to stop the algae from forming so heavily. I don't keep any of the fish I may catch there. I like fishing but not so much for eating.



I'll place my vote on #3Hate to see things like this, but with Wab I wonder if it might actually help. Knock back walleye numbers a bit quickly.

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