Minocqua area anglers and business owners last night got their first look at a proposal to increase walleye numbers in the Minocqua Chain of Lakes.
Walleyes For Tomorrow and the DNR presented a study to see if there are answers for low reproductive rates on the chain.
DNR fisheries biologist John Kubisiak says among other points, the proposal includes cooperation with the tribes in the ceded territories and catch and release only walleye fishing for a 3 to 5 year period. That includes Minocqua, Tomahawk, Kawaguesaga, Little Tomahawk, MidLake and Mud lakes are included.
He says Tomahawk has been stocked for many years and has good walleye habitat. The issue there is another species, Cisco..
"....when young walleye hatch, they are susceptible to Cisco predation and they crimp down with walleye recruitment.. But once the fish reach adult size the Cisco are a great food source...."
Minocqua and Kawaguesaga also have some, but not a lot of walleye habitat. He says Walleyes For Tomorrow is planning to put more walleye habitat on both of those lakes. He says they already have an 18" minimum size and stocking larger fingerlings. But he says more protection will result in a quicker turnaround.
Lac du Flambeau tribal spokesperson Brandon Thoms says contrary to earlier reports, the tribe has not agreed to the proposal. Walleyes For Tomorrow presented the proposal to them Monday, but Thoms says the council that night took no action...
"....I think that it's still very much on the table, but I think there's more that the council wanted to find out first before entering into any sort of agreement...."
Thoms says the proposal has not been presented to the tribal membership to read, research and get input.
Thoms says other Chippewa bands have the right to harvest on the Minocqua Chain and the Voight Inter-Tribal Task Force has also not had a chance to decide on the proposal. The bands have guaranteed rights to hunt, fish and gather in the Ceded Territory of northern Wisconsin.
