Walleye Express

Fallow-up.

Michigan sued over walleye rules

Associated Press

DETROIT - One of Michigan's most successful commercial fishermen is suing the state to try to overcome a decades-old ban on catching walleye in the Great Lakes.

Dana Serafin of Pinconning is forced to release thousands of walleye from his nets while catching other fish in Lake Huron.

In 2008, he proposed a three-year study of the walleye population that included a provision for him to keep and sell some of his haul.

No thanks, replied the state Department of Natural Resources

"They're the bully in the lake, 2 to 3 feet long - we have pictures," said Serafin's lawyer, Anthony Calamunci. "In Saginaw Bay, there is cannibalization going on. It's killing perch and whitefish at enormous rates.

"There's just not enough food."

Calamunci filed a lawsuit in April in federal court in Bay City, claiming the state's ban on commercial walleye fishing is a constitutional violation that diminishes the value of Serafin's license.

The DNR is asking a judge to dismiss the case.

"The restrictions on walleye fishing have been in place for at least 35 years, long before Serafin obtained his first commercial license," Assistant Attorney General Louis Reinwasser said in a Nov. 13 court filing.

Michigan law gives the DNR "complete discretion to limit the amount of fish taken by species and kind," he wrote.

The DNR describes Serafin, 42, as the largest commercial fisherman on Lake Huron, catching 990,000 pounds of whitefish worth approximately $1 million in 2008.

His license is "indisputably" valuable, despite the walleye ban, Reinwasser said.

A DNR official, James Dexter, suggested that the state does not want to change the policy because that could reduce the walleye population and disappoint recreational anglers.

The fish can be found across the Great Lakes region, and Michigan's neighbors have similar restrictions.

"It is estimated that more than 2 million Michigan residents fish for sport in the state's waters, and thousands more travel from all parts of the world," Dexter, who oversees fishing regulations, said in an affidavit.

"The economic impact is estimated to be $2-4 billion annually."

Calamunci accuses the DNR of treating walleye like a "sacred species." He said Serafin at a minimum would like to keep some walleye as well as tag others and return them to the lake.

"And then over a three-year period we could test the impact on other species. There's a science to this," the lawyer said.

He noted that Canada allows commercial fishermen to keep walleye caught on its side of Lake Huron and sell them to stores and restaurants.

U.S. District Judge Thomas Ludington has scheduled a hearing for Feb. 10.

I talked to some important people with the DNR today about this. I'm posting and sending this to everybody I know, including businesses, local Chamber of Commerce, TV stations and/or anybody who will listen. I'd like anybody in position to help in any fashion in this matter to do so.

Draft concerning a Lawsuit filed against the Mi. DNR for license to Commercially net walleyes out of Lake Huron/Saginaw Bay.

It is my only intention here in writing and sending this draft to you, is to first inform and (if possible) seek a response by all that receive and/or see it. Our DNR is being sued by one commercial fisherman, for the exclusive rights of this one commercial fisherman, to harvest walleyes on Lake Huron. This may very well (and probably will) include Saginaw Bay. The hearing date to hear this law suit by a federal judge is set for February 10th. How he will rule on this matter may very well effect the quality of fishing all of us will have for the coming years. If nothing else, it would surely effect the catch rate and peoples mind-set and willingness to come to our community to spend their leisure dollars in our local businesses. And IMHO if this one man was licensed to net walleyes, other commercial fishermen will surely fallow suit and petition for those same rights. I do not have to mention the huge (Volunteered) public and private efforts, along with the cost and time spent over the last 25 by the state to bring this fishery back to wear it was 70 years ago. And all that time with no walleye netting allowed.

This is not a personal Vendetta against commercial fishermen. I only seek to have those who have concerns for this fishery and its future to have a voice in this matter and its possible results. And is my intention at this juncture, along with another concerned fisherman (Bill Olar) to simply make a plea to seek support of businesses, fishing clubs and/or individuals who can and who will get behind an effort to spread this word and to have a voice in it’s conclusion. We could also use any (Pro Bono) legal advise or help in this matter, as we are not (yet) monetarily able at this time to hire a lawyer to join with the DNR attorney as litigants in this case. And in fact may be denied that opportunity by the federal judge. But can (if need be) get in on an appeal that would then be brought by the DNR into the states court jurisdiction. We may also call of have a meeting of concerned citizens to discuss this matter and our alternatives. Thank you for your time and please respond with comments to my E-mail address. Capt. Dan Manyen.

Looks like the weather was the real hero on that day. Most times a rarity on the Saginaw Bay. Somebody must have sent Mother nature an invite dated for the day after. :D

I'd hate to guess how much poisoning the whole Mississippi River would cost.:eek: God forbid me for saying this, but we need Federal intervention and a congressional ruling to fill the canal for all the Great Lakes safety sake.

I'm with Adam on this one. I get the comradery connection, but prefer a warm bar for that. And to travel across state to ice fish for walleyes, when I live 10 minutes from Saginaw Bay? Well, it's like heading to South Dakota for Pheasants when you own a game farm here in Michigan. If this became a annual event and got moved to Saginaw Bay, I have pleanty of room for 2 extra bodies in my OtterSkin shany.

Dan,

Yes the folks at Okuma will talk to you on the phone. They has a really great staff there that is always willing to help.

I have been dealing with them for several years.

Thank's for the reply Bill.

I got an outstanding Deal on 10 Magda Pro 20DX Okumas from Franks Great Outdoors in Linwood. I've been doing their internet fishing reports for years and they treat me pretty good in these matters.

Started the day out in weird fashion. Of course whenever I fish with brother Dave it tends to be that way. I tell him we will wait till 11:30am to launch and let the temp get up a little more then the 28 degrees that is was at 9:00am this morning when he called. Also to bring along some salt for the ramp to lay down when we launch. He says I'll go down at about 10:30 and throw some salt then, so it has a chance to melt all the ice on the ramp. I tell him not to do that, as other boats will/might also launch or retreive before then and wash the salt off the ramp before we get down there. Well, I'll let you guess what he did. And who do you think does the "Double back flip" on the ramp? Oh ya, me.

So luckily I'm not hurt but have to launch using the other side with the salt I brought along. So we get about even with the Coast Guard station while idling out the river channel and the CG comes out in their skiff at the same time and checks probably the only boat they'll see all day, us. They are nice enough but never in very much of a hurry. Daves boat passes the inpection and we're off again. Finally hit the river mouth at about 12:00PM, water temp 37. Start out on the bay and the wind which was predicted to be 6 MPH SSW is a good and steady 12 to 15mph and almost due west. We are soon in 2 to 3 footers and taking a few very cold wet ones over the side. We head for the leeward side of the island and try there for about 30 minutes and get nothing. We end up trolling in and out of the river mouth in places where I was catching some nice fish in October using lead core and #5 Shad raps. Running Zuris and Bombers 60 and 80 back at 2.3. Some nice fish in some cold conditions.

But there was a catch to our catch. Brother Dave (because he worked there) noticed on our way out the river channel the first time, that the "Intake Screen" cleaning crew at the power plant was getting ready to clean the screens that fill with shad. They take 3 dumpsters at a time of both dead and live shad out of that immediate area when they clean the screens. A lot of those dead/dying or wounded shad drift downstream with the current and make whatever walleyes in that area go nuts on the feed. We had doubles and triples right before the screen almost every time through.

99% of the time I'm fishing the inner bay and only in waters 19 feet or less. When I bought my Grady White 14 years ago, the last owner told me he'd throw in all 4 electric downriggers for $100.00 each. I told him to take them off, they'd just get in my way. Downriggers in essence are not neccessary to get the bait offerings in the walleyes zone in that shallow of water. Most guys using them have them mounted for salmon fishing and seldom take them off. So why not utilize them when and if you can.

Watch these U-tube videos if the reality isn't quit clear to everyone yet.

http://www.boattest.com/Resources/view_news.aspx?NewsID=3900

http://freep.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=C4&Date=20091202&Category=NEWS&ArtNo=912020803&Ref=PH&Profile=1319

http://freep.com/article/20091203/NEWS06/912030543/1319/

In essence there is no right or wrong answer. I do of course have a theory and my way that works best for me. But each fisherman uses his own techniques to land his fish. Some may even be dictated by the size and configuration of your boat.

But first a disclaimer. I know (or at least from what I've read all summer) Frank 90% of the time uses mostly heavy bottom bouncers to get down in deep water, ahead of and teamed with harnesses when fishing. These will IMO both change the angled dynamics of the fishes fight and make a walleye act different when hooked, fought and landed near the boat. I on the other hand (in most cases) use mostly light crankbait's, free of any other weight (other then occassional light keels), that might act as a fulcrum or lever for the fish to work against and get off. This is why IMV you/I need to hold the rod high, to act as a buffer to the fishes thrashings, rather near the surface or deep under it. Especially if we're talking strictly walleye, I have to be the one thorn in the side of Frank's theory.

Fact one IMV. What I've proven to myself in all these years of chartering and trolling, is the longer a walleye is on, the more chance of it's getting off. Walleye have a hard bone/webb skinned mouth. They wear quickly a bigger hole in their lips/jaws from the hooks as they fight their way in, especially at faster trolling speeds that generate more/heavier drag. The least bit of slack, a stiff/straight rod without a proper set drag setting, or without the tempered cushion from a rod held high, and he'll either spit the hook out the big hole he's made or pulls it out from uncushioned force. That's also why I never pump a walleye in.

Fact two IMV. Most walleyes of small to medium size will come to the top soon after being hooked, especially when trolling cranks 1.8 or faster. 1.8 or faster is a fast speed for Bottom bouncer and harness users. Again, with the crank, no heavy weight ahead of the fish to keep him turned down even slightly when being fought. And to slow your retrieve down, or straighten the rod to let them go back down is IMV a waist of time, invites and allows "fact one" to happen. Rod high and direct the fish were you want him for netting. Slow/steady pressure while reeling steadily, while bowing to the fish with the rod when neccessary, allowing no slack when and if the fish gets some unexpected energy, is still the best way IMHO.

> FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

> Dec. 1, 2009

>

> Contact Jim Dexter 269-685-6851 or Mary Dettloff 517-335-3014

>

>

> Michigan DNR to Assists Illinois on Asian Carp Project

>

> The Department of Natural Resources will send a crew of fisheries

> technicians and fish-killing chemicals to Illinois this week as part of

> an assault on Asian carp populations in the Chicago Sanitary and Ship

> Canal that threaten to make their way into the Great Lakes.

>

> The large exotics, which escaped from agricultural facilities in the

> South and have become established in the Mississippi and Illinois

> Rivers, are able to out-compete native species and pose a dire threat to

> the entire Great Lakes ecosystem. The fish have been kept out of the

> Great Lakes by a $9 million electric barrier, though recent DNA testing

> of water samples suggests the fish have breeched the barrier and are a

> mere seven miles from Lake Michigan.

>

> The electrical barrier is scheduled to be deactivated for necessary

> maintenance for several days in December. The Illinois Department of

> Natural Resources plans to kill the carp in a stretch of the canal below

> the electrical barrier with rotenone, a natural substance, before the

> barrier is shut down.

>

> “We jumped on board the minute Illinois requested assistance with

> this project because the potential of these fish getting into the Great

> Lakes could be ecologically devastating,†said DNR Lake Michigan Basin

> Coordinator Jim Dexter. “If they do get in, they could wreak havoc on

> the Great Lakes and its tributaries.â€

>

> Bighead and silver carp feed on plankton. Bigheads are capable of

> consuming up to 40 percent of their body weight in plankton daily and

> can reach weights of 80 pounds. Fisheries officials believe they could

> drastically alter the food chain in the Great Lakes and out-compete

> native species for habitat.

>

> The DNR will send six technicians and three boats from Plainwell and

> Pontiac as well as most of the department’s inventory of rotenone and

> potassium permanganate, which neutralizes rotenone, to Illinois for the

> project.

>

> “Given the potential environmental damage these fish can do to the

> Great Lakes, we think getting on board with this project is a

> no-brainer,†Dexter said.

>

> The DNR is committed to the conservation, protection, management,

> accessible use and enjoyment of the State’s natural resources for

> current and future generations.

Thank's guys.

When I vowed this past September to fish and explore more the lower Saginaw River nearer my house both day and night, and explore more the fall trolling posibilites on the bay, I never thought it would produce so many new techniques, lure choices, great new spots and so many great fish. What a ride.......

Looking at the 10 days forecast, today may have been the last hoorah for Bay trolling this fall. Water temps today were 41 degrees. That's real close to making some thick water.

Today may have been the best day all fall long for my Brother Dave and I fishing on the Bay. It was like a walleye fishermans dream and literally off the HOOK. Our FireTiger Zuris and Silver Shiner Bombers were kicking azz and taking names today. We caught Daves limit in the first 30 minutes. Mine (minus one) in the next 30 minutes. Then we caught and released 8 more walleyes, missed 3 behind the boat and landed 2 MONSTER PIKE. Then on the last fish to make my limit in the livewell and end the 3 hour trip, I told Dave to throw back the fish in my livewell, because I wanted to get some rest before heading back up to Tawas tonight for some white fish with Reel Fishin. The pictures may be mixed up a bit because I took 20 of them in the 3 short hours we fished. :D

Like Pike, a walleyes eye's are located on the top of his head. In general, their line of sight is even with and above their chin. They have to physically adjust their body's (tail up) to see anything flat on the bottom. They are geared to attack from below in most cases. And look for the silhouette of baitfish swimming above them, especially at night. So running them shallow and above them is always the best idea.

Wulp, the hooking was decent tonight. But the landing part suffered badly. I went 2 for 7 on the whites. I mean I had some nice fish right at the top of the water tonight and they would simply come un-buttoned before Reel Fishing could get a stab at them with the net. I also caught a nice walleye on a (you guessed it) Firetiger Yo-Zuri. I casted a #9 Rapala for a while and a few other choices. Put the Zuri on and the 3rd cast "bang".

Reel Fishin on the other hand suffered the fate I usually do when we go together. He fished his guts out, but only went 1 for 2 on whites and no walleyes. But as usual we had fun trying and ate some killer smoked whitefish I did up from the last trip. :D

Wulp, me and the brother got back on track at daylight early this morning, as he had to meet his buddy at 1:00pm for their trip to the thumb to deer hunt. When we got to the spot, I let him put his side out first and then I tried to get mine out. I was putting out the thrid and last line on the inside, when the two outside boards slamed back almost at the same time. My immediate first thought was "Oh No! not a SNAG". But nope, two decent walleyes. 20 minutes later my inside board goes and the brothers outside board goes at the same time. Another double comes to net. Then we had a rash of double rips, but the fish would not hook up. I mean Bury the board rips. In fact by the end of the trip we had 9 rips with most coming as doubles. The last rip broke the brother line and took the Fire Tiger Zuri he borrowed from me. We ended up going 8 for 15 (if you count the rips) as we only got to play that one that broke the line for any length of time. The day as you can tell was kinda chilly this morning. 34 degrees at the ramp. But it ended up being 48 when we quit. :D

Yuppers,. Tawas Pier. 68 miles form my driveway to the parking lot at the base of the pier. And yes I was in MY new lucky spot.

Went 5 for 9 tonight in 3 hours on the pier. Some real nice Big whites with a few spawners finally showing up. I slapped 2 off the hook with the net because it was hard as hell to see them with the drizzle and the waves hitting the sea wall. And lost 2 on that Glow Tommy Harris Ajitator baited with 1 wax worm on each hook. They simply come un-hooked before I could even get the net. I don't think the hooks that come on them have enough shank length to get deep enough into the white fishes mouth far and get a good hook hold. Perch would be a different story. Also watched an older couple land 6 dandy walleyes right behind me casting into the marina with #12 Huskys and reeling Real Slow. Not sure if these are going into the smoker or being cleaned and saved for frying. I was going to try and pickle some. But I better wait for a night where I can bring home a limit to make sure I have enough flesh for the gallon jar.

Hey Nick, guess who?

Your welcome as much here as you were on SagBay. So who do you first mate for in Linwood?

Tell walleye guy congrats from me or maybe he'll post it on my board as well. You guys sure put in the time on the river. That must be the twin sister to my brothers 13 pounder. I hope it's going on the wall like his is. They are great to catch, nice to see, mount and display, but the fleah takes on a little "WANG" taste anything over 5 pound IMV.

Good job Ken. Catch them on Yo-Zuris? :p;)

Lucky for me I have 2 boats that I fish out of. The BIG boat has to be winterized or my luck would dictate that Mother Nature would surely bring on the freeze by November, freeze and crack both blocks. Kinda like if you want it to rain, wash your car. Don't want it to rain, wear your rain gear. It's all a plot against us. ;)

I've persoanlly heard that there is one guys netting them and they are supposed to not taste to bad.