Rock River System Slot Limit?
I have been asked by many people why the Rock River System does not have a slot limit on walleyes and saugers such as many lakes, rivers and flowages in the northern region of our state.
I have made several attempts to contact the Rock County fisheries biologist to ask questions and gather the facts to correctly answer this pressing question.
Questions regarding stocking the system, future management and ask about the possibility of a slot limit being put in place.
I am still waiting for an email or call back.
The proposal was on the agenda with the public hearings earlier this year, and was not passed.
The Rock River System is considered as a put-and-take fishery, unlike many northern waters where there is natural reproduction. I was once informed that walleyes do not reproduce in the Rock River System. Saugers seem to be a self sustaining fishery.
There are many fish in the system; I can certainly vouch for that. This fall we boated many fish in the 12-18” range and a healthy number of fish in the 23-28” range.
All of the fish that we caught over 23” are still swimming as I am a true believer in sustaining a fishery practicing catch and release.
Is a slot limit warranted in the Rock River System?
It sounds like the verdict is still out.
I would like to hear what you think.
John Reddy a local fishing guide operates Reddy Guide Service in the Delavan area. He is a professional fishing guide and educator licensed by the Department of Natural Resources and a United States Coast Guard licensed Great Lakes Charter Captain. John is a community blogger and is not a part of The Gazette staff. His opinion is not necessarily that of the The Gazette staff or management.
Dec 12, 2011 at 12:25 p.m.
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"Slot Limits" are bag limits that are set to manage or preserve a fishery. For example a slot limit for walleye would be any fish up to 14" and one fish over 28" can be kept but all fish over 14" and under 28" must be released.
I spend many hours on the Rock system and yes walleyes go through the motions same as Delavan and Geneva Lake for example but reproduction is not successful due to the bottom composition. Delavan for example has a vegetative growth on the bottom nicknamed angel hair which restricts the walleye eggs from adhering to the bottom causing problems in reproduction.
Yes walleyes are one of the most challenging fish to catch no doubt. Anglers can be very successful fishing the Rock System learning classic rigs and utilizing basic fish location.
The Rock System is stocked and is a healthy fishery, as I said it was desigined to be a put-and-take fishery.
This was simply a question I have been asked and wanted to post it to see other opinions, not a "quick" topic to reach a deadline...Thank You for taking time to post yours
Dec 10, 2011 at 6:05 p.m.
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For those of us who are not familiar with the term, what is a "slot limit"?
Dec 10, 2011 at 5:51 p.m.
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If you spent any time on the River fishing you would know they do spawn there.Seen it many times.Walleyes do not jump in the boat you have to work at the sport. Where do you find all these people that say we need slot limits? Northern Wisconsin lakes have limits because the DNR does not stock regularly because of so called budget problems.Sounds like you needed a topic before print deadline.
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