2016 Winnebago System Walleye Report
Hello Winnebago Walleye Enthusiasts,
Attached is the 2016 Winnebago System Walleye Report and below is an update on the 2017 spring walleye tagging efforts on the Winnebago System.
The Winnebago System continues to produce one of the top walleye fisheries in the Midwest and the 2017 walleye run is already underway. Oshkosh DNR staff conducts several annual surveys to assess the Winnebago walleye population, including the annual spring walleye spawning stock assessment. Each spring, DNR staff aim to tag approximately 5,000 adult walleye on the Wolf River with anchor (floy) tags to estimate angler exploitation and abundance. This spring there were 4,699 adult male and 820 adult female walleye tagged in the Wolf River during March 27-April 6. Peak walleye spawning on the Wolf River appeared to take place from early-mid April, whereas peak spawning in 2016 occurred in early April. In addition, there were 140 adult male and 43 adult female walleye tagged in the upper Fox River during March 20-April 2, with peak spawning on the upper Fox River occurring during late March. Aside from tagging mature walleye on the rivers, DNR staff also tagged 106 immature female walleye that ranged from 14.5-18.0 inches and 110 immature walleye that ranged from 11.5-14.5 inches. These fish were captured from Lake Poygan (135 fish), Lake Winnebago (74 fish), and Lake Butte des Morts (7 fish) during April.
Angler reports have indicated a tougher walleye bite so far this spring that can likely be attributed to strong hatches of several forage fish species last summer. The 2016 annual bottom trawling assessment revealed a substantial increase in overall forage numbers. A strong rebound in young of year (YOY) trout perch numbers was revealed (359.8/trawl), far surpassing the 2015 catch rate (106.2/trawl). In addition, the YOY gizzard shad catch rate (102.4/trawl) ranked as the 6th strongest hatch since 1986. Gizzard shad on the Winnebago System often experience large die offs during the winter months; however, it appears that greater numbers of shad were able to survive last year’s lighter winter. Nonetheless, strong year classes of multiple forage fish species has certainly produced some plump fish for anglers in 2017, but it appears that anglers may have to put in some extra time and get a little creative to hook into some walleye.
Remember that the walleye tagging program is only successful if anglers report their tag returns. If you happen to catch a tagged walleye, yellow perch, 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.
Good luck fishing in 2017 and be safe on the water!
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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