BSmaster

Blue gill fishing is fun. As a kid that is pretty much all I wanted to do. Now I plan on making a few trips to a couple spots to get a dinner or two, but back then I thoroughly enjoyed catching and releasing. It is what I look for when I take my kids fishing. If the popper isn't working, throw the beatle spin. Joe

I should apologize. I am sorry. I didn't mean to hijack your post. I was just curious about how the walleye grow differently in different bodies of water. I should have started my own thread. People will always tear down the walls to make themselves feel taller. Just focus on the moment. It is pretty special.

This is NOT a question of 33Scout's measurement. I am more interested in discussing the weigh charts. Last year I caught a 25 in walleye out of the river that weighed 5lbs. This spring I caught a 25 inch walleye (post spawn) out of a lake that weighed 8lbs. A few years ago (pre spawn) I caught a 30.5 from the river that weighed 10lbs. Is there something different in how these fish grow depending on their environment? BTW: That is an awesome fish. Congratulations. The biggest walleye I ever caught was the only one I caught that day.

Nice fish! Did she pull that canoe around?

I am no stranger to snapping turtles. When I was a teenager, My Grandfather and I would catch them and butcher them for a turtle dinner at the addison fish and game club. My yuppy fishing friends still give me c-r-a-p about it like I am some hillbhilly. Don't knock it till you try it. I don't do it anymore but mostly because the state has messed with it to the point where I would be poaching now. You catch them, and then you flush them with fresh water for the next 2 weeks and then you butcher them. Flushing does wonders for the smell, shooting them with a bow or gun doesn't allow for flushing sequence. Therefore - what is the point?

I was hoping someone would suggest snapping turtle because that was kinda what I was thinking when I have seen it. Being in close in the weedbeds to spawn, I thought might make them an easier target. I have no evidence - just a thought.

Chad, do you know what those marks are on the fish? I have seen it before and not sure what caused it.

Didn't do really well but I did manage this nice fish under the bobber. 37 inches and had not spawned out yet. She was returned to the river to complete her mission. Her little Brother came home with me. All in all it was pretty calm and that seemed to be the scuttlebut with everyone we talked to. Another year done... Joe

Heading to Saugherties this weekend for my annual trip - can't wait. I am hoping to break that 40 inch barrier this year. I love the zing........... It is addicting. Joe

Kevin, Its good. I usually throw a walleye fillet or something like that with my game. This winter for my birthday I had surf and turf. Grilled Rabbit tenderloin aldante (teriyaki) and open face pickeral sandwiches. Soon as I get my bird, I will probably make a marinade have grilled turkey breast with crappie (surf and turf theme) BTW, I like the asparagus. You can mark your territory better when you eat that. Good times, Joe

Water is like glass. Last time I was on it was like that. I was fishing for perch and couldn't find biters up that way so after a while I just enjoyed the day puttering in 30 ft of water looking down at all the 6 lb bass. Guys were hammering the lakers by jigging that day- I am talking about 30 -40 fish for half a day. Like LJ said, They are fishing and they are happy - looks great to me.

That's sweet! Reminds me of one of those fish in the tank up at Auburn.

If you haven't done so, I suggest you contact fingerlakes land trust. They are primarily focused on wetlands but there could be some discussion of interest to your cause. Good luck. It is a good project.

AC, I gave this a good nights rest before I commented. I like the idea of restoration, however, (MHO) pick streams that have no brook trout, that could possibly sustain brook trout and do a 5-10 year study. I don't like the idea of mapping all of the hidden streams that have natural populations. I can see more harm than good coming from this approach. When I read your post, initially, I was on board, but now after giving it some thought, I think you should focus on streams with potential and not those that mother nature is in control of. I would love to be a part of this, but those little hidden gems... I don't fish them and I don't talk about them either. Its too easy for them to get jacked up by people who get them while they can and don't care about tomorrow. Freshwater Models, the climate change is in general making everything warmer, however, one of the offsetting factors for stream recovery is the decline of agriculture and the streams down on the flood plain don't resemble their passageways through the hills which is most of the time under full canopy. The rivers and streams in the Southern Tier Look the best they have ever looked in my lifetime.

That lake has a lot of forage fish. You could have been doing everything right and they just aren't hungry. Could be that prespawn they don't have as much room to eat large meals. The 3 colors I hear the "experts" use are green, black and white hair or tube jigs. I like to use white body/split tail/green black accents beetle spin and reel as slow as I can while keeping the spinner active. I also like to use minnows under a bobber (2-3ft). I find at this time of year they eat but don't swim away like a bass or pike would making indicators more difficult. Anyway, I am not an expert by any means but, I do believe that timing is important. Some times you can't keep them off your line and other times you catch one and wonder for an hour where the hell his buddies are. 1/2hr before and after sunset seems to be most active. Good Luck.