In over 14 years of guiding on the Grey Reef section of the North Platte we can honestly count the number of walleye caught in the first 12 years on one hand. Oh, how have times changed. The past 2 years have yielded enough walleye that we have officially lost count. More interestingly, most of these fish have been big brood fish. A couple around 14lbs and a pile in the 6-10lb range. A little fish fact for you, these big females can carry upwards of 600,000 eggs.
How did they get here? Well, to some degree we have always had walleye in the North Platte tailwaters. It's hard to believe we have had this many the whole time and we are just now catching them. High water is the most likely culprit, shooting a walleye slurry as 5-8,000cfs cascaded down the Platte last two summers.
Do I personally think walleye are going to take over the fishery? Not really, it just sounded like an interesting title for an interesting topic. But it will have an impact on the trout to some degree. Walleye are a bad ass predator and in a river system packed with trout it's pretty obvious who's going to be on the walleye menu.
Feel free to post your opinions...
2 comments:
Shock the river 2 to 3 times a year in the month of May and harvest every one that floats up.
I have nothing personal against walley, in fact, it's a good thing trout do not taste like walley or I'd harvest my leagle limit every time I go fishing.
But, they are not welcome in the Reef. The mile is OK, but leave our Reef to the trout.
Just my opinion!
Nice blog, you guys are pro`s :)
Lucky Lady`s Charm / Sizzling Hot Online
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