QUESTIONS 17 – 18: Flathead catfish rule changes in the Lake
Winnebago system
Flathead catfish are one of the most important recreational
and predator sport fish in the Winnebago System. It is a long-lived species
that takes many years to reach trophy/quality size. Age and growth analysis has
estimated these fish can live more than 30 years and are capable of attaining
weights in excess of 60 pounds. Due to their long life span these fish
populations may be particularly sensitive to angling pressure and harvest. In
the Winnebago System, flathead catfish angling effort is directed by a
combination of conventional rod and reel gear, setlines, and bankpoles. In the
Wolf River, recent surveys of setline and bankpole effort indicate fishing
pressure has remained at relatively high levels. Several measures have been
taken to reduce exploitation including a ban on commercial fishing and lowering
of daily bag limits in 2002. However, exploitation rates have still remained
high, often reaching 33% or more of the quality to trophy size stock. Other
concerns include the potential over harvest and/or snagging of flatheads during
the late fall and winter. Anglers have voiced concern over declining flathead
catfish numbers and size and have worked together with the department to
formulate several management options to improve the quality of the fishery
including:
•
Implementing a 30 inch minimum
size limit for flathead catfish in Winnebago system waters, with possession of
fish between 36-42 inches prohibited, and a 1 fish daily bag limit (anglers
could keep 1 flathead between 30-36 inches, or 1 larger than 42 inches). There
is currently a 2 fish daily bag limit for flathead catfish in Winnebago system
waters, with no minimum size limit.
One of
the major concerns expressed by anglers was a desire to improve the density of
larger, trophy- sized (>40 inch, or 30+ pound) flathead catfish. This
regulation would ensure protection of both young and old spawning stock. This
is especially important considering these fish can live up to 30+ years of age
and some of the larger females are capable of producing massive numbers of
eggs. This regulation should improve overall population abundance, recruitment,
and trophy potential for Winnebago System flatheads.
•
For general anglers, establish
a harvest season for flatheads that would open on the first Saturday of May and
close on September 30 of each year (catch and release would apply the rest of
the year). The current setline/bankpole season would remain the same.
Currently, the flathead catfish season for general anglers
is continuous. Information collected from radio telemetry tracking studies show
flatheads have strong tendencies to congregate in large numbers and in select
locations during over-winter periods (September – March). During the early and
late phases of these periods they can be particularly susceptible to angling
pressure and overexploitation since these fish do not move far from their
over-winter habitat. In addition, during mid-winter coldwater periods the fish
become very inactive and are easily snagged. The department has received
several reports of anglers snagging catfish in both the Fox and Wolf Rivers.
Having a closed harvest season during this period will ensure these fish are
adequately protected during a vulnerable stage of their life history.
Do you favor changing the open
season for flathead catfish in Winnebago System waters from a continuous season
to one that would open on the first Saturday of May and close on September 30
of each year?
17. YES_______ NO_______
Do you favor implementation of
a 30 inch minimum size limit for flathead catfish in Winnebago system waters,
with possession of fish between 36-42 inches prohibited, and a 1 fish daily bag
limit (anglers could keep 1 flathead between 30-36 inches, or 1 larger than 42
inches) ? There is currently a 2 fish daily bag limit for flathead catfish in
Winnebago system waters, with no minimum size limit.
18. YES_______ NO_______