blake
Life Member
NEWS:
From the Iowa DNR:
Walleye Season Opens Saturday at Iowa's Great Lakes
Businesses in and around the Iowa Great Lakes region of Dickinson County are busy preparing for the annual invasion of anglers that marks the beginning of the walleye fishing season at Big Spirit, East Okoboji and West Okoboji lakes. The walleye season opens on May1.
As it has been for each of the previous 133 opening weekends, angler optimism will peak Friday as midnight nears. Once the clock strikes 12, the season opens for one of Iowa's most prized fish. One thing is for certain, there are plenty of walleyes in these lakes.
"We have the largest population of broodstock fish in Big Spirit Lake that we have ever seen," said Mike Hawkins, fisheries management biologist for the DNR stationed at Sprit Lake. "Folks will need to get use to catching these larger fish and begin to specifically target them. We have another year class coming on measuring 13 to 15 inches where we are seeing higher catch rates that anglers may find more welcome.
"Things are looking good," Hawkins said. "We had an early season algae bloom that should take some of the clarity out of the water and make fishing better."
There is a protected slot limit of 17 to 22 inches for walleyes in Big Spirit Lake, East Okoboji Lake and West Okoboji Lake. All walleyes within that range must be immediately released. Anglers may keep one walleye over 22 inches. The daily bag limit is three walleyes. Anglers are reminded that muskie season is closed through May 20.
"East and West Okoboji, the walleye fishing is also looking good, the fish are in excellent condition and we are seeing a lot of broodstock fish. We increased the stocking of the 10-inch walleye fingerlings back in '06 and those stockings are starting to pay off," Hawkins said. "I had one angler tell me that he had the best walleye fishing ever on East Okoboji last fall. The spillway is running and it should be a fantastic opener."
A gradual warm up during the week will make fishing more enjoyable and the campground busier.
"We already have a few campers in for the weekend and it's only Monday," said Steve Reighard, park ranger for the lakes area state parks. "The courtesy docks are in and we'll be turning the water on this week. We're gearing up and getting ready."
Reighard said boaters should make sure they have renewed their boat registration before heading out for the weekend. "Get your boat registered this week because it expires on April 30," he said. "If you don't think about it until you're on the water, then it's too late."
The weekend is also Camper Kickoff Weekend in state parks across the state. Due to budget cuts, the DNR will not be giving handouts this year.
From the Iowa DNR:
Walleye Season Opens Saturday at Iowa's Great Lakes
Businesses in and around the Iowa Great Lakes region of Dickinson County are busy preparing for the annual invasion of anglers that marks the beginning of the walleye fishing season at Big Spirit, East Okoboji and West Okoboji lakes. The walleye season opens on May1.
As it has been for each of the previous 133 opening weekends, angler optimism will peak Friday as midnight nears. Once the clock strikes 12, the season opens for one of Iowa's most prized fish. One thing is for certain, there are plenty of walleyes in these lakes.
"We have the largest population of broodstock fish in Big Spirit Lake that we have ever seen," said Mike Hawkins, fisheries management biologist for the DNR stationed at Sprit Lake. "Folks will need to get use to catching these larger fish and begin to specifically target them. We have another year class coming on measuring 13 to 15 inches where we are seeing higher catch rates that anglers may find more welcome.
"Things are looking good," Hawkins said. "We had an early season algae bloom that should take some of the clarity out of the water and make fishing better."
There is a protected slot limit of 17 to 22 inches for walleyes in Big Spirit Lake, East Okoboji Lake and West Okoboji Lake. All walleyes within that range must be immediately released. Anglers may keep one walleye over 22 inches. The daily bag limit is three walleyes. Anglers are reminded that muskie season is closed through May 20.
"East and West Okoboji, the walleye fishing is also looking good, the fish are in excellent condition and we are seeing a lot of broodstock fish. We increased the stocking of the 10-inch walleye fingerlings back in '06 and those stockings are starting to pay off," Hawkins said. "I had one angler tell me that he had the best walleye fishing ever on East Okoboji last fall. The spillway is running and it should be a fantastic opener."
A gradual warm up during the week will make fishing more enjoyable and the campground busier.
"We already have a few campers in for the weekend and it's only Monday," said Steve Reighard, park ranger for the lakes area state parks. "The courtesy docks are in and we'll be turning the water on this week. We're gearing up and getting ready."
Reighard said boaters should make sure they have renewed their boat registration before heading out for the weekend. "Get your boat registered this week because it expires on April 30," he said. "If you don't think about it until you're on the water, then it's too late."
The weekend is also Camper Kickoff Weekend in state parks across the state. Due to budget cuts, the DNR will not be giving handouts this year.