Big walleye pics

AlseaAssassin · 03-09-2006, 08:20 PM

Hi guys,

I thought you all might enjoy these pics form my field season on the northern pikeminnow project. These monsters are our "by-catch." 3 of them came in the Hanford reach below Priest Rapids dam and the night photo was right below Bonneville. It sure spurred my interest in fishing for these toothy critters. Enjoy

FelonFinder · 03-09-2006, 08:24 PM

I'm hungry.

dcgrav · 03-09-2006, 11:36 PM

mmmm them be some good eatin!

Hans Kochs · 03-10-2006, 06:53 AM

Great pics and nice fish.But please remember to let the big ones go. Walleyes have to fend for them selves. They are pretty much hated just as the bass by many fishermen. I release any thing over 22 inches. I would say that any thing over 24 inches should go back in the drink. Back in the early to mid ninties walleye fishing was getting real good below Bonneville. People began keeping any thing and everything they caught, and the fishery has not been as good. So let the breeders do there thing and keep a couple of eater size fish for the table. They are mighty tasting. Tight Lines and God Bless.

Hunt'nFish · 03-10-2006, 07:29 AM

I think I know that last one!! :grin:

Yep, release the breeders and we'll fish forever.
Anything over 5lb goes back. Plenty of juvenile fish around to keep for the freezer.
Hunt'nFish

Fish mojo · 03-10-2006, 07:33 AM

Nice lookin' fish!!

ScottD · 03-10-2006, 09:38 AM

Those are nice pics and nice fish. The hanford reach is some great smallmouth fishing......I don't think it is very well known for walleye.

AlseaAssassin · 03-10-2006, 11:22 AM

All fish released unharmed. Funny you should mention the smallmouth fishing in the hanford reach. I didn't catch squat until I got down just above Tri-cities then it was phenominal :grin:

Super Fluke · 03-10-2006, 02:36 PM

Nice fish.

kc1 · 03-11-2006, 05:50 PM

Wow nice 'eyes!!!
Whatever happened to the trophy walleye fisherey everyone expected in the early '90s? Lots of close to 20 lbers back then, but you don't hear much about the fishery anymore except for the great fish you are posting..
If I remember right, the "trophy" era was before slot limits were imposed (and catch limits were like 20 fish per angler).

Just Fish · 03-11-2006, 07:58 PM

I know some of that water

Wreckless · 03-13-2006, 10:37 AM

There are still some big fish, but native nets kill a LOT of the breeders.

The fishery would be world class if they weren't fished commercially.