Waste of time as per usual

[Lady White]

I know a bunch guys that went to Pigeon Lake today and as usual it was just a waste. The whole day they were their and only saw one whitefish nothing else. The lake is dead it is a sad situation. I remember going when I was young and catching huge perch off the dock. It's not just the winter kill and the netting either. Why do we keep introducing fish new fish in large numbers to a lake that don't need to be there? I don't get it. The walleye eat the whitefish and perch therefore less whitefish and perch. But thats ok cause we want to catch the biggest fish right cause that is what matters. Screw that I catch fish to help provide food for my family. That is really hard when the lake is killed off by giant fish that don't belong their. Oh I agree that it is lots of fun to fish but walleye destroy natural species in the lake. Stop doing it and if they are going to stock them, let us pull them out as soon as they get to be a certain size not draw no way is of my money to buy a tag for fishing that'll the the day. I purchase draw tags for large animals cause they feed my family more than one meal. Sustainable fishing in Alberta is a joke, might as well put walleye in every lake and then make every lake a trophy lake cause that is exactly what is happening to Pigeon.

[tacklerunner]

Originally Posted by Lady White

I know a bunch guys that went to Pigeon Lake today and as usual it was just a waste. The whole day they were their and only saw one whitefish nothing else. The lake is dead it is a sad situation. I remember going when I was young and catching huge perch of the dock. It's not just the winter kill and the netting either. Why do we keep introducing fish that are not natural to a lake? I don't get it. The walleye eat the whitefish and perch therefore less walleye and perch. But thats ok cause we want to catch the biggest fish right cause that is what matters. Screw that I catch fish to help provide food for my family. Thats really hard when the lake is killed off be giant fish that don't belong their. Oh I agree that it is lots of fun to fish but walleye destroy natural species in the lake stop doing and if they are going to stock them pull them out as soon as they get to be a certain size not draw no way was of my money to buy a tag for fishing that'll the the day.

I don't get it either.

[Lady White]

I made an edit now read it thanks for pointing it out. But I'm sure you were smart enough to figure out what I meant.

[EZM]

This is a question - not an attack - I'm being serious here .....

If you are sustenance fisherman, have you ever though about the cost of your equipment, maintenance, tackle, gas etc.... compared to buying fish?

Seems silly to me to even consider you would be better off in the long run even if you filled your tags, caught your legal limit, etc... every single outing ......you would still be in the red.

It costs me $50 just to get out of the driveway ........... that will buy lots of fish sticks.

mmmmm............fish sticks.

[cujo1969]

Its same with others lakes to like mcgregor the walleye eat everything.

[fish gunner]

Our hobby is called fishing , catching is a little tricker.
Yes some lakes need some balancing . Netting probably does not help.

[ak-71]

Originally Posted by cujo1969

Its same with others lakes to like mcgregor the walleye eat everything.

One thing I've learned about McGregor and whites there - is there is A LOT of food for them sometimes it is a problem. I could see singles all day they wouldn't give my lure a look just because it's one target out of a thousand for them, without the camera I wouldn't know they were there. There are times when they bite though( other than spawn).

[tacklerunner]

Originally Posted by Lady White

I made an edit now read it thanks for pointing it out. But I'm sure you were smart enough to figure out what I meant.

I actually thought you were referencing Pike when you referred to the "giant fish" eating everything. Pike eat walleye. Catch a 100cm+ pike and there's some serious table fare if that's what you're after.

[Lady White]

OK OK I give you are right it is cheeper to get fish sticks but it costs me minimal to fish as the equipment is borrowed from my father. Gas well that can kill anyones wallet. I am a starving university student and it is the only form of entertainment that I can afford right so I catch fish and eat them and at the same time get hours of entertainment. Win Win but not so much now that I have to drive to Gull Lake or Sylvan because of the evil big fish eating everything in the lake that is 20 minutes away from my house. Stupid trophy fish wrecking things.

[Pincherguy]

Originally Posted by Lady White

OK OK I give you are right it is cheeper to get fish sticks but it costs me minimal to fish as the equipment is borrowed from my father. Gas well that can kill anyones wallet. I am a starving university student and it is the only form of entertainment that I can afford right so I catch fish and eat them and at the same time get hours of entertainment. Win Win but not so much now that I have to drive to Gull Lake or Sylvan because of the evil big fish eating everything in the lake that is 20 minutes away from my house. Stupid trophy fish wrecking things.

Screw that I catch fish to help provide food for my family.

You catch fish to help feed your family? Now you are a starving university student. What up with that?
PG

[NEWB]

Originally Posted by Lady White

OK OK I give you are right it is cheeper to get fish sticks but it costs me minimal to fish as the equipment is borrowed from my father. Gas well that can kill anyones wallet. I am a starving university student and it is the only form of entertainment that I can afford right so I catch fish and eat them and at the same time get hours of entertainment. Win Win but not so much now that I have to drive to Gull Lake or Sylvan because of the evil big fish eating everything in the lake that is 20 minutes away from my house. Stupid trophy fish wrecking things.

What are you studying in University? I would like to know as it may help lend credibility to your argument.

[cube]

Originally Posted by tacklerunner

I actually thought you were referencing Pike when you referred to the "giant fish" eating everything. Pike eat walleye. Catch a 100cm+ pike and there's some serious table fare if that's what you're after.

Wondering where you got that data. The only data I could find (in every single study) was that pike don't eat walleye past the fingerling stage. That is even in lakes with very high walleye populations. Hence, why walleye, if managed the way they are in this province, eat themselves out of house and home and appear to cause other species populations to collapse.

[WayneChristie]

Originally Posted by cube

Wondering where you got that data. The only data I could find (in every single study) was that pike don't eat walleye past the fingerling stage. That is even in lakes with very high walleye populations. Hence, why walleye, if managed the way they are in this province, eat themselves out of house and home and appear to cause other species populations to collapse.

Seeing as twice Ive personally had a pike try and eat a walleye I was reeling in, the second eye was 3 pounds Id say thats proof enough for me

[tacklerunner]

Originally Posted by cube

Wondering where you got that data. The only data I could find (in every single study) was that pike don't eat walleye past the fingerling stage. That is even in lakes with very high walleye populations. Hence, why walleye, if managed the way they are in this province, eat themselves out of house and home and appear to cause other species populations to collapse.

Sorry I'm checking in late. I haven't done any interweb research on the subject nor have any data. Based on personal experience it's just a hunch.

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by tacklerunner

I don't get it either.

Bahahahhahha.....

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by Lady White

I know a bunch guys that went to Pigeon Lake today and as usual it was just a waste. The whole day they were their and only saw one whitefish nothing else. The lake is dead it is a sad situation. I remember going when I was young and catching huge perch off the dock. It's not just the winter kill and the netting either. Why do we keep introducing fish new fish in large numbers to a lake that don't need to be there? I don't get it. The walleye eat the whitefish and perch therefore less whitefish and perch. But thats ok cause we want to catch the biggest fish right cause that is what matters. Screw that I catch fish to help provide food for my family. That is really hard when the lake is killed off by giant fish that don't belong their. Oh I agree that it is lots of fun to fish but walleye destroy natural species in the lake. Stop doing it and if they are going to stock them, let us pull them out as soon as they get to be a certain size not draw no way is of my money to buy a tag for fishing that'll the the day. I purchase draw tags for large animals cause they feed my family more than one meal. Sustainable fishing in Alberta is a joke, might as well put walleye in every lake and then make every lake a trophy lake cause that is exactly what is happening to Pigeon.

Yeeah....Things have changed over the years but theeee Fiiissshhhees are still there... Look back at older threads and there are whites and perch being caught in many lakes! I can catch any species, but it is where you choose to fish and look at your lures and such...Do some research and use the right lure and bait and you will have sucess....You cannot blame the fisheries here in Alberta....

[rafhone]

Personaly, I think Lady White is making a great point here. Everyone hims and haws over eco balance and such, but the government decides its a great idea to introduce new sport speicies, and what do you do?

Don't rats also belong in a heathly ecosystem? Its all very hypocritical in my opinion and well apart from respecting nature.

[kevinhits]

Originally Posted by rafhone

Personaly, I think Lady White is making a great point here. Everyone hims and haws over eco balance and such, but the government decides its a great idea to introduce new sport speicies, and what do you do?

Don't rats also belong in a heathly ecosystem? Its all very hypocritical in my opinion and well apart from respecting nature.

Pray tell....What is the new " Sports Species" here?

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by kevinhits

Pray tell....What is the new " Sports Species" here?

x2...walleye?

what a snap decision introducing walleye to a lake that never had walleye before!!

[338Bluff]

Originally Posted by Jamie Black R/T

x2...walleye?

what a snap decision introducing walleye to a lake that never had walleye before!!

There always was a remnant population of walleye in there. We caught them from time to time in the early eighties....unless that was from an earlier stocking. Pretty sure I read something that there were walleye in that lake as far back as WWII???

[338Bluff]

Originally Posted by 338Bluff

There always was a remnant population of walleye in there. We caught them from time to time in the early eighties....unless that was from an earlier stocking. Pretty sure I read something that there were walleye in that lake as far back as WWII???

Here it is....from the "Atlas"...

Fish

Pigeon Lake is managed for commercial, domestic and recreational fisheries. Species of fish in the lake include lake whitefish, white sucker, burbot, yellow perch, walleye, northern pike, spottail shiner, emerald shiner, trout-perch and Iowa darter (Alta. For. Ld. Wild. n.d.; Bidgood 1972). Walleye were present in commercial catches prior to 1963/64, but subsequently the population died out. They were stocked in 1979, 1980, 1982, 1983 and 1984 and a small population has become established once again (Alta. For. Ld. Wild. n.d.). Important spawning areas for lake whitefish are on boulder, rubble and sand substrate, particularly at the southeast end of the lake offshore from the Indian reserve (Bidgood 1972). Partial summerkills of yellow perch have been recorded, such as in May 1965. The cause of mortality was not determined, although both disease and temperature shock were suggested (Alta. For. Ld. Wild. n.d.).

[Jamie Black R/T]

Originally Posted by 338Bluff

There always was a remnant population of walleye in there. We caught them from time to time in the early eighties....unless that was from an earlier stocking. Pretty sure I read something that there were walleye in that lake as far back as WWII???

nope....never was a walleye in pigeon till the goverment funded bucket brigade showed up!

im being sarcastic....this isnt a "nice thread"....its sad

Fish a species to death and people complain....bring it back and manage it and people complain.

heres an idea....go find the whitefish! they are still out there! just because you cant locate or catch them the lake is dead?

LW, you been hanging out with safety D?

[338Bluff]

Originally Posted by kevinhits

Pray tell....What is the new " Sports Species" here?

I think we are talking about the return of the virtually extirpated walleye to Pigeon Lake (sarcasm noted)

There seems to be some consensus that most of the locals/old-timers were fairly happy with the status quo (ie very good whitefish and fair perch fishery). A smaller, yet vocal minority may have successfully lobbied for the re-introduction and enhancement of walleye. Or so the story goes.

[Lady White]

Originally Posted by rafhone

Personaly, I think Lady White is making a great point here. Everyone hims and haws over eco balance and such, but the government decides its a great idea to introduce new sport speicies, and what do you do?

Don't rats also belong in a heathly ecosystem? Its all very hypocritical in my opinion and well apart from respecting nature.

Thank you!

[cube]

Originally Posted by Lady White

I know a bunch guys that went to Pigeon Lake today and as usual it was just a waste. The whole day they were their and only saw one whitefish nothing else. The lake is dead it is a sad situation. I remember going when I was young and catching huge perch off the dock. It's not just the winter kill and the netting either. Why do we keep introducing fish new fish in large numbers to a lake that don't need to be there? I don't get it. The walleye eat the whitefish and perch therefore less whitefish and perch. But thats ok cause we want to catch the biggest fish right cause that is what matters. Screw that I catch fish to help provide food for my family. That is really hard when the lake is killed off by giant fish that don't belong their. Oh I agree that it is lots of fun to fish but walleye destroy natural species in the lake. Stop doing it and if they are going to stock them, let us pull them out as soon as they get to be a certain size not draw no way is of my money to buy a tag for fishing that'll the the day. I purchase draw tags for large animals cause they feed my family more than one meal. Sustainable fishing in Alberta is a joke, might as well put walleye in every lake and then make every lake a trophy lake cause that is exactly what is happening to Pigeon.

I agree with most of what you are saying and feel your frustration.