Superior, Wis. – The Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will host a public information meeting on Thursday, May 9 at 6 p.m. to discuss walleye management in the St. River. Louis and the western Lake Superior region.
This meeting will discuss:
- Population and fishing grounds before the opening of the zander season in the St. River. Louis on May 11
- Recent zander projects in the area
- Current management issues affecting the walleye fishery
At the beginning of the meeting, participants will hear a compact presentation on walleye management, followed by an opportunity for questions and comments on walleye management or any other topic related to the Lake Superior fishery.
“Fishing grounds in the St. River Louis is managed jointly by the states of Wisconsin and Minnesota, and the river has the largest walleye population in Lake Superior as well as the largest recreational walleye fishery in the lake,” said Paul Piszczek, DNR director of fisheries biologist. “The walleye population is maintained entirely by natural reproduction, which states carefully monitor and maintain by protecting fish that spawn in the system.”
As part of the effort to boost population, the St. River Louis, Minnesota stockpiles of sturgeon fry
Lots of walleye from the St. River. Louis migrates downstream to Lake Superior after spawning, and recent projects have provided some insight into how many fish make this migration.
In accordance with applicable regulations, zander anglers fishing on the St. River Louis and the estuary are subject to different regulations than anglers fishing in Lake Superior.
“Divergent river and lake regulations can make enforcement difficult near those boundaries,” said Dray Carl, DNR fisheries biologist. “Since these are the same migratory fish moving between these waters, we recommend finding a way to combine the regulations to find a common regulatory framework that is easy to understand and enforce, while upholding the goals of the fishery.”
More information about fisheries management in Lake Superior can be found at the DNR fishing website.
EVENT DETAILS
What: Public Meeting on Walleye Management in the St. River Louis
When: Thursday, May 9 at 6:00 p.m
Where: Barkers Island – Superior Room, 300 Marina Doctor, Superior, Wis.
