Pigeon lake opener
 

Fished Pigeon on a windy Tuesday. Numbers seemed down on the flats but may be a hair early. My friend caught a healthy 24" walleye. That was a good sign for this typical 17-21 inch Eye lake. Sixty walleye one pike one burbot. Not bad but didn't have the numbers like last June. Any thoughts?

I dont usually have much luck on the flats until the weeds start to create cover. 2 weeks ago the point off the provincial point had the best action. I dont like to fish at the PP because its a community spot and usually has lots of boats. However, my alternate areas couldnt produce the numbers.

I have found sizes to be up this year. Seems like the majority are between 54-56 cm and in the low 40's. I think class B tags will require some effort to fill. Just have to put some time in and work through the bigger fish and smaller fish.

On a positive note, Pigeon is on track to turn into a trophy walleye fishery. There is a strong year class for smaller fish and the big ones will continue to get bigger. If SRD plays things right this lake could possibly turn into a gem like Wabamun. But there is always the possibility that when the walleye start getting over 60 cm that the large breeders will be harvested as table fair. Perhaps class A tags could have a minimum and maximum size as opposed to the way they currently are with only a minimum size.

Best pattern I have out together so far is to bang a jig tipped with a minnow (or half a minnow) on bottom a couple times. Than dead stick on bottom with a slightly slacked line and watch for the bends in the line to straighten. Bam! Fish on.

You know you're spoiled when you catch 60 fish in a day and say that the numbers are down :sHa_sarcasticlol:

I believe in order to get sustainable Trophy walleye in Pigeon, SRD will have to decrease the density of walleye there first. As it is there is not enough spare forage to get fish to trophy size and maintain them. With a 10-20% reduction in walleye density you would again see small whitefish and perch come back, which are the preferred forage for trophy walleye.

The male fish in pigeon right now are 48-50 cm for the most part and the females are like you say 52-56. At least this is what I found on May long weekend.

Yes those sizes are accurate. I was encouraged to see the 61 cm walleye and also agree that reduction in their quantities would sure help Pigeon return to a trophy class fishery. That being said is that what we want? It's nice to be able to take my boy out and see him catch fish after fish on a slip bobber. Or like TJ Swankys article a couple years ago about taking his mom out for a 100+ fish day. I think catching large quantities of fish is what will bring up the numbers of people fishing in Alberta. I know for myself, I got big into fishing after an awesome perch sight fishing day.....

what they need to do is go with a slot size for eyes

Is it just me or is the draw system starting to feel like a cash cow? Is this based on science or a falling budget for ESRD? The lake summer killed hundred if not thousands of walleye last year. I like them better on my BBQ than washed up on the shore. I know I'm whining a little but I firmly believe they resurrected this lake. Mission accomplished!

Would opening up the lake to a daily limit destroy those beautiful 100+ days. Just stirring the pot

I think you mean whitefish... I didn't see any walleye wash up on our beach (north side)

I happen to agree with you. If I were making a trophy lake it would be pike or sturgeon. For me walleye are a numbers game as they don't put up nearly the fight that a big northern does, in my opinion. Yes I have caught walleye that were over 31 inches and yes I have caught walleye up to 12.5 lbs and to me if I compare them using the same rod, line strength, reel, lure, etc. the pike put up a much better fight.

I was just commenting on that changes would have to be made to Pigeon lake management to have trophy walleye because you can't have your cake and eat it too.

Have a great season.

I hope they never do that

they do have a slot size... 3 of them. The way of controlling the size of the fish is by issuing more or less of each tag class.

I do indeed hope they make changes to the tag system. I could certainly see it opened up to a 1 fish limit when all the other lakes around have also recovered. Right now I don't think they can because all the other lakes are for the most part closed which would put too much pressure on Pigeon. So when buck, Battle, Isle, Jackfish, Lac Ste. Anne, Lac La noone, etc etc have fully recovered I would like to see some changes. Either have a general opening with 1 fish limit or you'd get a certain number of tags when you purchase your licence that could be used at any lake of your choice or with in an area.

X2, with big cities so close to this lake,it wouldnt take long for the lake to be collapsed just like what happened to long lake for example.

I don't get why people say the large fish are the breeders?

That 60 CM fish is what we are saying is the Prime choice for reproducing, I get that. it survived... its big.. but c'mon

At some point she was a 55 Cm walleye or a 35 cm walleye and reproducing... were the eggs no good back then? Or do you have to be over a certain size before your eggs are any good?

Perhaps that 53 cm Class B fish that I caught last year was the sister of the 60 CM breeder that we were just talking about. She may have been destined to 135 cm. oh well. not a breeder.


I would also like to see proof that larger fish:
a. create more eggs to an amount that is actually benefitial
b. the hatch rate of their eggs is equal or higher than smaller fish
c. the survival rate of their offspring is equal to or higher than small fish.

In addition there are soooo many external factors that saying you want a 60 cm walleye to breed over a 50 cm walleye IMO has little to no scientific backing at all.

Just my opinion though.

Of course that happened when there was a DAILY limit of 8 or 10 with no limit on possession and harvesting during the spawn is what most people did. Not to mention the commercial fishing for sport fish at that time.

I just read an article that said walleye. Can't always trust what you read though.....

Seems the last few years every summer the old whitefish die and pile up on the shores... It pretty gross but its my labs favorite time of year that's for sure

With just a little research on walleye you can find all that info fairly easy.

http://www.walleyecentral.com/forums...p/t-16703.html


I like this guys points as well.

This guy also states that pullin out the middle sized fish is more harmful than the big ones.


http://ohioseagrant.osu.edu/discuss/...php?topic=55.0

I was out 2 weeks ago, managed a half dozen or so 18"+ walleye castin big cranks for pike and over a dozen gators, nothing over 36" though