Winnebago System Walleye Update

We have been getting a lot of questions regarding the Winnebago System spring walleye run and the current status of walleye tagging efforts.  DNR fisheries staff and volunteers began the adult walleye stock assessment on the Wolf River on March 29, 2019.  Water levels were very high throughout the Wolf River with gage heights in New London surpassing 10 feet during late March, which filled the floodplain and spawning marshes with water.  Walleye tagging efforts continued through the first week of April as water temps climbed to the mid-40s in the marshes, which led to a good amount of spawning activity throughout the New London and Shiocton areas.  On April 8^th, sampling crews handled 277 adult females and classified 26% of fish handled as being in the ripe (actively spawning) or spent (spawned out) stage.  This indicated that the walleye spawn was well underway and survey crews generally stop tagging efforts once greater than 25% of adult females are classified as ripe or spent.  Therefore, walleye tagging efforts on the Wolf River ended on April 8^th.  In total, around 1,000 adult females and 2,000 males were tagged on the Wolf River in 2019, which meets the annual goal of tagging at least 1,000 adult females on the Wolf River.  Water temperatures rose to 48 degrees by April 10^th on the Wolf River in New London before last week’s cold front caused water temperatures to plummet back down to the mid-30s.  This likely halted walleye spawning activity on the Wolf River, thus it will be interesting to see if  walleye spawning resumes as water temperatures begin to increase.  Water levels have also varied on the Wolf River reaching a gage height of 10 feet in New London in late March before falling to 8 feet by April 10^th, however, the recent rain and snow have increased gage height to 8.6 feet as of April 16^th.  Similar to the spring of 2018, 2019 has certainly been an up and down year with strong mid-April cold fronts hitting right during the peak of the walleye spawn.  As for predictions on the 2019 walleye hatch, we will have to wait for the trawling survey results in August to get a first glance.  For now, DNR staff will focus on tagging immature female walleye during night electrofishing on the Upriver Lakes and Lake Winnebago.  Remember, if you happen to catch a tagged walleye, yellow perch, bass, or northern pike please either mail the catch information to the Oshkosh DNR office (625 East County Road Y, Oshkosh WI 54901), email it to DNRWINNEBAGOSYSTEMTAGRETURNS@wisconsin.gov, or call 920-303-5429.

Lastly, we have been getting many inquiries regarding the recent 2019 Spring Hearing results on the question of reducing the daily walleye bag limit to three for the Winnebago System.  The results indicated that the question was favored in 59 counties and not favored in 12 counties, with a statewide vote (all participants online and in-person) of 5,217 in favor and 1,963 not in favor.  It is important to note that there are many internal steps involved during the rule promulgation process including Natural Resource Board, Legislative, DNR Secretary, and Governor approval.  Therefore, no official decisions have been made by the Department regarding the walleye regulation change question for the Winnebago System as it is still in the review process.  Thus, the current 5 fish daily bag limit will still apply for the Winnebago System walleye fishery until further notice, however, we will be sure to send out updates to keep everyone informed. Good luck fishing and be safe on the water.

Thank you for your continued interest and involvement in walleye management on the Winnebago System,

We are committed to service excellence.

Visit our survey at http://dnr.wi.gov/customersurvey to evaluate how I did.

Adam D. Nickel

Senior Fisheries Biologist – Bureau of Fisheries Management

Winnebago System Gamefish Biologist

Calumet and eastern Outagamie Counties

Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources

625 E County Road Y, Suite 700

Oshkosh, WI 54901

Phone: (920) 424-3059

Fax: (920) 424-4404

adam.nickel@wisconsin.gov