Any safe ice at SBI.?

[Luvztaphish]

   Haven't seen a report on the ice conditions for over a month , Is there any safe ice around SBI ?

[Bryan]

Nope.
At this point I'm saying c'mon spring so I can launch my boat next month.

[Luvztaphish]

Thanks for the reply .

[fishingful]

I am hoping for shitty ice around till April. So we don't have all the small boats out. Need to get a good spawn in.


Hope the ramps stay iced in.

[OhioFisher19]

Good spawn have to do with how many boats are out lol? Didn't seem to matter in 03 & past yrs!

[fishingful]

I understand that. I would rather not harass them at all during the spawn. Closed season would be best in my opinion.

[Luvztaphish]

Spawning is determined by mainly ,water temperatures .so when would you stop and start the season . Also in a closed season you can catch and release which  harassed them.  Unless you stop all fishing .  I feel slot limits during the prime spawning months .

[Ntoiceman36]

I think the walleye season should close (like in several other states)during the spawning season,and a realistic slot limit be instituted to preserve our fisheries,if your bag limit is six fish I believe it should only include 1 fish of 28" or larger (walleye)so that everyone can enjoy,smaller eyes taste good to and selective harvest can preserve our waters for years to come!!

[Bryan]

I believe it should only include 1 fish of 28" or larger (walleye)so that everyone can enjoy,smaller eyes taste good to and selective harvest can preserve our waters for years to come!!

I have always heard that the older, larger fish are actually less productive than a smaller...say 22" fish.
I have also heard that a fish less than 20"  never has had the chance/maturity to spawn. Based on what I've always heard the old guys saying, better to harvest an old fish vs a smaller one.

[Ntoiceman36]

Thats where the slot limit comes into play so the most reproductive sizes of walleye are released to carry on the species and some of the younger not reproductive fish are harvested,im not a biologist but that is how they do in some states where walleye fishing has remained fantastic as pressure increased,and as fas as "old"  fish hopefully by allowing one trophy 28" or larger that would hopefully give everyone a chance at a wall hanger,but these are just my thoughts

[Luvztaphish]

 . Lake Erie's walleye get larger younger ,
And the largest are usually the females loaded with eggs. The more eggs the more walleye.   

[OhioFisher19]

Not so much more eggs more walleye, similar to women where the old girls, things just don't work so well with age... correct me if I am wrong.

A slot limit may be a decent idea but your prime fish are 18-24in fish for spawning but whats the difference if you close the spawn you still catch the fish in the summer whats the difference??

[eye spy]

I just read an article where a study was done that showed the older females are just as fertile as the younger ones.

[Luvztaphish]

And they are larger and produce more eggs . Also would pass along their genetics .

[wballard77]

I just read an article where a study was done that showed the older females are just as fertile as the younger ones.

Kinda true:
While walleye are growing in (length) male and female are just as fertile as they ever were. Once growth stalls or decreases so does egg and sperm production. Keep in mind that that these study's are done in hatcheries and small lakes that they can easily recover the subject fish. The adv. max. growth in these environments is 24-27" that is the reason that states set the 28" rule.

That being said Lake Erie is a different ecosystem, walleye grow up to 30% faster than inland waters. So theoretically a 14lb Monster could be very fertile fish. I think that and the massive loss in revenue to the Lake Erie region, is why the state is reluctant to implement further regulations other than a possible limit reduction.