Category Archives: News

Green Lake has finished with egg harvesting on 4-30-16

image2Green Lake has finished with egg harvesting on 4-30-16. With 7 WFT nets and 3 DNR nets in 8 NN Green Lake volunteers captured 323 total walleyes. 182 females of which 132 were workable fish to 141 males, each female averaged 77’091 eggs. We had 9 sub 15” and 20 recaptures, and we had 24 walleyes that exceeded the 26” mark and were released un-striped. The largest was 29” and the smallest was 13.5.

Attached is a daily netting/hatchery log and hatching time-line calendar, we have a full hatchery at 79.5 quarts or 10’176’000 fertilized eggs!

The week of May 15th should be wild!

Good Day at the Hatchery and on Geneva Lake

Covenant Harbor sWe had a very good day at the hatchery and on Geneva Lake today. The rain had passed earlier in the morning so we were good that way, although it was very foggy on the lake and it was a slow travel to the netting area.

We filled up the remainder of the jars today with 1,125,000 eggs from walleyes in the 22” to 25” range. The male to female ratio was around 1 to 1 and the males have been getting more scarce the last 2 days. We have a full hatchery as of this morning with 6,220,000 eggs collected and incubating. We stripped eggs from just under 60 females and around 90 males were used for fertilization. We tried to use 2 males per female when available. It took 6 net nights with 6 fyke nets to get what we needed to fill 18 jars, with 2 jars devoted to hospital jars for a total of 20 jars utilized.

The netting crew will go out tomorrow morning to remove the nets from the lake and begin cleaning them. We need people on Saturday morning to stretch out the nets and power wash them and begin mending. This will be done at Geneva Lake Bait and Tackle on HWY 67 just south of where HWY 50 crosses 67 in Williams Bay (top of the hill). 8 am start time and work until early afternoon or so. Stay and help for as long as you can-an hour or 2 devoted is appreciated.

Now the incubation period is the focus with egg care and hatchery maintenance checks the daily and evening routine. I will send updates every few days now until fry hatch, then more often as we run thru that period.

Congratulations to those who helped during the last 6 days for filling the hatchery with eggs-not as easy to do by being more size selective and turning back very large fish with enough eggs in them to fill a jar per fish. Now we have eggs from 7 fish in 2 jars some days. A great job done by everyone!!

P.S. Check the Chicago Sun Times for Walleyes For Tomorrow Walworth Co. story. It is a very well done article. I think it was published 4-19, or 4-20.

Brian H. Simon
Walworth Co. Chapter Chairman
Walleyes For Tomorrow

The DNR is in the final stage of the plan

IF YOU FISH WALLEYE ON GREEN BAY, WANT A WALLEYE PROGRAM IN RIVERS ENTERING GREEN BAY OR LAKE MISHIGAN, ***** GET INVOLVED WITH THE DNR LAKE MICHIGAN 10 YEAR PLAN ***** OR GET WHAT YOU DESERVE.

The DNR is in the final stage of the plan and there has been NO comments from walleye fishermen at their outreach meetings. There was a meeting in Cleveland and no walleye interested people or group attended. Prior meetings had similar attendance.

Commercial fishermen and the trout and salmon lobby have been VERY active and outspoken. Their written comments are the only documented opinion of the scope and intent of the plan.

Without other opinion input these interests will have a huge say in the 10 year plan and walleye will be under represented.

Whitefish harvesters are pushing for increased netting of whitefish in southern Green Bay. Walleye are considered incidental catch and an imposition and the harvesters are pushing for permission to keep and sell walleye.

They claim walleye are in such numbers that they are adversely affecting forage production. Particularly perch and young whitefish. Commercial sale would be an avenue to reduce the forage impact under this opinion.

The only present limitation of trap net placement is a 1/4 mile from shore restriction.

The trap net issue is in a 30 day comment period. Get involved and make it known that walleye management and population expansion should be front and center in the 10 year plan.

Get involved and write a letter to DNR in Green Bay, Sturgeon Bay and Milwaukee emphasizing a stated walleye management plan and platform in the 10 year plan.

Egg Gathering Operation on the Big Eau Pleine flowage

I had occasion to help Walleyes For Tomorrow with the walleye egg gathering operation on the Big Eau Pleine flowage a couple days this past week. The attached photos are from today, Sat. April 16th 2016. Fifteen males and 38 females were netted today. 42-44* surface temps. Fish were in all three stages: post spawn, spawning, and pre-spawn. Big fish today was 29”, and yesterday a 31” was netted. A total of three million eggs are in the hatchery jars at this time.

Green Lake Chapter PORK BBQ

PORK BBQ
AUGUST 8TH 2015, DEACON MILLS PARK, GREEN LAKE, WI
11:00 AM TO 4:00 PM
MEAL INCLUDES: PORK BBQ, CORN ON THE COB,
POTATO SALAD, COLE SLAW, BAKED BEANS.

“EARLY BIRD DISCOUNT”
• TICKETS PURCHASED ON OR BEFORE JULY 18TH
$10.00 ADULTS AND CHILDREN UNDER TWELVE $5.00.
• TICKETS PURCHASED AFTER JULY 18TH
$12.50 ADULTS AND CHILDREN UNDER TWELVE $6.00.
BUCKET RAFFLES

TICKETS AVAILABLE AT:
• GREEN LAKE MERCENTILE 511 MILL STREET, GREEN LAKE, WI
• Green Lake Area Chamber of Commerce 920-294-3231
• Or call Aaron Anderson at 414-531-0607,
• Or call Joyce Anderson at 414-531-4207,
and we’ll get your tickets in the mail.

Winnebago Reef Project By WFT

We currently have a our largest project ever underway on lake Winnebago. Twelve deepwater reefs are planned with over 4 million pounds of rock being placed by barge on hard bottom areas. The reefs will provide habitat for Walleyes, other gamefish and forage for generations to come. Unfortunately we have had to move equipment to other locations to be able to finish the project shortly.

Please help us with the cost of this project as it is far above what what projected.

Thank You for your help!

Click Here to help

WFT Project History

Fox River Projects
Started Fox River (Berlin) Chapter 1992
Eureka Dam Rapids Project Completed
1993 $124,288.
Badger Mining Marsh Dredge Bank Lowered
1994. $17,828.
Isaac Walton Marsh Dredge Bank Lowered
1999. $12,343.
Barbolas Marsh – Installed two 6’ culverts and water control structure to facilitate low water flooding of marsh. 1999. $19,551.
Hart & Wiess Marshes – cut banks and marsh roads to allow greater water flow across marsh 1999. $11,135.
Installed an 8’x 35’ culvert at the Berlin Dam to start the Berlin Marshes project. 1999. $12,708.61.
Log diverter installed above Eureka Dam fish way. 1999. $18,733.
Badger Mining Company Marsh river bank lowered and riprapped to facilitate water flow. 1999. $7,328.
Removed the White River Dam, Riprapped both banks and constructed two wing dams. $3,631.2003
Rocked river bank at Clarence Hopp property. $3,520 2004
Repaired work areas washed out by 2003 Spring high water.
Installed three 4’culverts under Lock Road at the Princeton Dam to flood blocked marsh. 2005. $11,448.77.
Berlin Marsh Complex – Installed 12 36” or 48”culverts on Kujawa ($7,714.), Treder ($4,972.) Hoppa ($12,390), and two 48”culverts on Tomah ($3,607.) Marshes to facilitate water flow. 2001-2005
Installed 2 culverts at the Fox River end of the Berlin Ditch to increase water flow in ditch.
Installed culverts on Reinsbach property to facilitate water flow in marsh.
Badger Mining Marsh, removed beaver dam. 2007. $805.75.
Installed 5’ culvert at Huck’s Marsh to increase water flow along bank spawning area, 2008. $6,314.30.
Stabilize dredge bank at Huck’s Marsh with willow logs & native vegetation, 2008. $3,475.
Funded Walleye Telemetry Study by DNR, 2009, $2,521
Replaced rotted 36” culvert with 72” culvert to facilitate water flow on west side of Hopp’s Rd. 2012. $3,693.36.
Install 9 36inch culverts under Hopp’s Road, 2012. $15,908.28.
Funded Walleye Telemetry Study. 2012. $4,000
Purchased 11 acre marsh below Lock Road at the Princeton Dam. 2012. $13,000.
Participated in project planning to build fishway around Princeton Dam. $10,000 budgeted.
Mow Hopp’s Mash, 2013 &14, $400.00

Wolf River Projects
Started Wolf River (New London) Chapter 1992
Constructed bridge over bayou on Nordell Young property. 1994. $9,000.
Mosquito Hill- Cut down river bank on outlet and rip-rap bank. 1995. $11,092.50
Funded Walleye Watch using retired wardens during spring spawning run. 1997-99. $4,110.
Rassmussen’s Canal, New London, Excavated canal to aid water flow during spawning run. 1999. $13,154.
Funded DNR Spring Walleye tagging program, 1999. $4,700.
Larson Inlet – Removed fallen trees & brush that blocked water flow at marsh outlet. 2000. $3,788.68.
Kalwictz Marsh – cut down bank to improve water flow. 2000. $4,197.
Funded Wolf River Marsh Posting meeting of marsh owners. 2002, $1,230
Wolfrath’s Marsh – cut down river bank to improve water flow. 2002. $4,172.
Mowed Bernagger’s Marsh to remove woody vegetation. 2003. $1,019.
Opened up outlet of Fleese’s Marsh, 2003. $2,165.
Opened up marsh inlet at LaSage Marsh, 2004
Colic Slough – opened up inlet for water flow. 2005. $6,359.
Bernegger’s Marsh – Installed water level control structure. 2006. $3,500.
Contracted Omni & Associates to conduct water flow study of Wolf River at Templeton’s Bayou, 2006. $1,499.
Lee Volz Property – made 45’ cut in river bank to increase water flow into Mud Lake Marsh. 2007. $2,842.
Larson’s Marsh – made 65’ cut in the bank on inlet of marsh to increase spawning water flow, 2007. $10,940.68.
Templeton’s Bayou – Removed one 48” culvert and installed two 60” & two 96” oval culverts to provide 6 times the water flow in the marsh, 2008. $24,337.87.
Krake’s Marsh – removed an 18” perched culvert and installed three 36” oval culverts in marsh road. 2008. $4,354.91.
Steven Jordan Road – Removed 10” culvert and installed three 36” oval culverts to increase water flow on Embarrass River Marsh, 2008. $3,560.71.
John Povlich Road – Installed three 36” oval culverts under road to increase water flow. 2009. $3,787.85.
Mosquito Hill Bank Cut- Remove old rip-rap, lower river bank and armor bank with Geoweb and native vegetation, 2009. $2,246.73.
Mukwa Marsh- Cut down river bank at outlet of marsh, 2011. $7,409.42.
Mukwa Marsh- Funded second stage of river bank modification by DNR, 2012. $2,000
Krake’s Marsh- removed an 18” perched culvert and installed three 36” oval culverts in marsh road, 2012. $5,185.92.
Weiland Marsh – Installed three 36” and three 24” culverts under marsh road. 2012. $6,335.79
Installed three additional 36” culverts, 2014. $4,776.99.
Contribute to the purchase of box culverts with Waupaca Co. for Co. Hy. X to replace 4 perched 6’ culverts, 2014. $10,000.

Lake Winnebago
Became a participant in the DNR Walleye Management Planning Committee in 1995
Ran a Sauger Creel Census for 8 weeks on Lake in 1996 &1997. $7,135
Purchase 2 sled saws for Winnebago Reef construction, $2,242. 2005
Built 19 rock habitat reefs in 1997, $17.881
Built 42 rock habitat reefs in 2000, $31,174.35
Built 19 rock habitat reefs in 2001, $29,277.44
Built 13 1,000’ rock sauger spawning structures on NE corner of lake. 2000 – 2005. $47,265.60
Built 21 rock habitat reefs in 2005. $25,458
2001 Started 5 year Sauger Study with DNR @ Oshkosh (2001 – 2005) using a portable hatchery to hatch sauger eggs and stock Lake Winnebago with sauger fry. $13,844.73
Continued sauger fry introduction 2006-2010, $11,947
Released 190,000 sauger fry in2001
Released 2,000 extended growth fin clipped sauger in 2002. $5,000
Released 600,000 sauger fry in 2003
Released 3,000,000 sauger fry. 2004. $554
Released 3,000,000 sauger fry. 2005. $5,245
Released 1,032,000 sauger fry. 2006. $3,178
Released 1,577,000 sauger fry. 2007. $3,040
Released 1,256,000 sauger fry. 2008. $1,881
Released. 1,337,294 sauger fry.2009. $2,017
Released. 2,325,738 sauger fry, 2010. $2,591
Released. 2011. $79
Total sauger fry released 14,318,032
Assisted in the Lake Winnebago Economic Value Study with numerous other organizations. $9,999. 2005
Funded 2 year Winnebago Female Walleye Reproductive Age Study by Ryan Koenigs, 2010, $13,500
Fund walleye egg mortality study by Dr. Fred Benkowski at UW Milwaukee, 2011, $2,500

BARRON COUNTY
Started Indianhead (Rice Lake) Chapter, 2000
Purchased 18’ Lowe John Boat, Mercury motor and trailer for hatchery operation. 2002 $11,382.75
Constructed walleye spawning structure in Lake Montanis. 2003, $9,548.09
Started operation of three “Refrigerator” portable hatcheries, 2003
Purchase “Rainbow” enclosed trailer, $5,040. 2005
Stocked walleye in Bear Lake, $3000.00. 2008
Built a rock habitat reef with Walleyes For Chetek in Prairie Lake
Walleye fingerling rearing in private pond with student assistance, $1,938
Removed beaver Dam on Slim Creek to eliminate barrier to walleye stocking
Stock walleye in Big Chetak Lake, 2012, $2,070.00
Red Cedar Lake Fish Sticks, 2013. $751
Paid DNR to OTC mark walleye fry from WFT hatchery for Silver Lake, 2004, $3,000
Built first new generation Walleye Wagon portable hatchery for Silver Lake 2010
Operated Walleye Wagons on the following lakes; Long Lake, Silver Lake, Lake Chatek, Red Cedar and Prairie Lake
Installed trees in Silver Lake as part of the Fish Sticks Program in 2012, 2013 and 2015, $4,614.94

BROWN COUNTY
GREEN BAY
Started the Green Bay Chapter, 1992
Built walleye spawning reef in Green Bay east of the mouth of Fox River. 1999. $22,438
Added rock for spawning on Mc Donald’s reef. 2000. $10,373
Funded Walleye Watch on Fox River

CALUMET COUNTY
Started East Shore (Brothertown) Chapter, 1995

COLUMBIA COUNTY
Purchased Floy Tags for DNR to undertake walleye tagging program on Lake Wisconsin, 2012. $3,000

DANE COUNTY
YAHARA RIVER
DNR Fisheries staff operated Walleye Wagon #1. 1993
DOOR COUNTY
Started the Sturgeon Bay Chapter, 2003.
Started operation of Sturgeon Bay Walleye Wagon, 2004 – 2007
FOND du LAC COUNTY
Started the Lake Winnebago (Fond du Lac) Chapter 1991
Moved into new and present WFT Office. 2004
WOLF LAKE
Stocked extended growth walleye in lake with Riverside hunting & Fishing Club.2005-2007 $4,000

GREEN LAKE COUNTY
Started the Green Lake Chapter, 1993
Enclosed & permanently sited Hatchery #7 at G. Lake Co. hatchery. 2002, $2,500
Repaired North cement wall of G. Lake Co. hatchery pond. 2000. $9,410
GREEN LAKE
Started Walleye Wagon stocking 1995
Purchased pontoon boat, trailer and motor.
2000. $11,743.
Constructed a carp barrier on Co. A inlet
1995. $3,635.33.
Operated Walleye Wagon on lake for 17 years.
Purchased 4 Fyke nets, 2003. $2,556
Purchased 5 fyke nets, 2004
SILVER CREEK
Installed water level control structure. $11,993
Fish sticks, 2015, $597.24
LAKE PUCKAWAY
Began operation of Lake Puckaway Walleye Wagon 1993. Ended 2006

MANITOWOC COUNTY
Started the Manitowoc Chapter, 1993
PIGEON LAKE
Stocked 2,000 extended growth walleye 2004 2008 & 2012, $4,800.00
Operated Walleye Wagon on lake 2 years.
SILVER LAKE
Stocked 1,800 in lake after lake drained to repair dam, $3,600
ENGLISH LAKE
Stock fall walleye, 2012 & 2014, $4,000

MARATHON COUNTY
Built rock spawning structure in Lake Emily.
Supported UWSP Student Fisheries Society Wisconsin River fish survey with use of WFT John boat 2006-2011
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir – built a rock walleye spawning structure, 2015. $1,449.57.
PIKE LAKE
Built rock habitat structure, 2010. $1,441,
Built rock walleye spawning structure, 2012
Pike Lake fish hatchery operated 2010, 2011 & 2012
Big Eau Pleine Reservoir operated hatchery 2013 & 14
Lake Du Bay hatchery operated 1 year, 2009
MARQUETTE COUNTY

GRAND RIVER
Rip rapped below dam and constructed rock walleye spawning area. 2005. $3,842.70.

MILWAUKEE COUNTY
Started the Milwaukee Chapter,2003.
MILWAUKEE RIVER
Stocked 10,000 extended growth walleye in Milwaukee Harbor in 2000. $5,044, 2003, $5,000, 2004, $12,552.97, 2005, $17,500, 2006, $9,999, 2007, $10,000
Provided $15,000 “seed money” to build spawning reef in Milwaukee River (2006).
Funded and provided boats for 5 Milwaukee River Cleanup Days. $8,229.00
Provided $10,000 for stocking extended growth walleye in 2005 reared at the UW Milwaukee Water Research Laboratory

OCONTO COUNTY
Funded construction of walleye spawning area below dam on Oconto River, 2011, $7,000

OUTAGAMIE COUNTY
Started Fox Valley (Appleton) Chapter. 1995

PRICE COUNTY
Started Price County Chapter, 2014
SOLBERG LAKE
Fish Sticks program, 2015, $706.00

SAUK COUNTY
Started Wisconsin Dells Chapter 1998
Lake Delton
Built walleye rearing pond. 1999, $12,000.
Provided funds for stocking walleye after Lake Delton Dam washed out. 2009. $7,500

SAWYER COUNTY
Stocked Big Chetek Lake, 2011. $2,070
Built new generation Walleye Wagon for use on Red Cedar Lake. 2013

SHAWANO
Started Shawano Lake Chapter 2011
SHAWANO LAKE
Pickerel Creek- dredge creek at mouth of creek in Cecil where hatchery is operated, 2013, $2,500
Assisted DNR with Walleye Watch on Pickerel Creek during spawning run, 2011
Built a Walleye Wagon portable fish hatchery for operation in 2012, 13, 14 &15.
Scatter spread extended growth walleye from DNR around Shawano Lake. 2011 & 2013
VILAS COUNTY
Started Headwaters Basin Chapter, Manitowish Waters 2013
CEDAR LAKE
Fish Sticks, 2015. $868
MINOCQUA CHAIN
Facilitated an agreement with Lac Du Flambeau Tribe, DNR, GLIFWC and Voight Intertribal Commission to forego walleye spearing & angler harvest for 5 consecutive years. 2015

WALWORTH COUNTY
Started Walworth Chapter 2012
LAKE GENEVA
With Dr. Dan Issermann at UWSP started a Family DNA connection study of walleye used for fry production in WFT Hatchery, 2013
Operated Walleye Wagon 2012, 13 &14.

WASHINGTON COUNTY
Started Washington County Chapter, 1994
PIKE LAKE
Stocked lake using Walleye Wagon 2 years
Increased area of rocky spawning area on Indian Point by adding 3” rock 2002, $2,460.91
Added rock to existing walleye spawning area, 2007, $3,212.19
BIG CEDAR
Stocked lake using Walleye Wagon 12 years.
Stocked walleye, 2008, $1,500
Installed plastic fish habitat. $3.912. 2000 & 2001
WALLACE & GREEN LAKE
Stocked extended growth walleye, 2007 & 2008, $5,000

WAUKESHA COUNTY
Started the Lake Country (Okauchee Lake) Chapter, 2004.
Started Pewaukee Lake Chapter, 2013
PEWAUKEE LAKE
Fish sticks, 2014, $493.00
Operated Walleye Wagon in 2014, 2015
OKAUCHEE LAKE
Stocked 5,000 extended growth walleye in 2006, $6,000
Stocked 6,000 walleye in 2008, $8,500

WAUPACA COUNTY
Started New London Chapter. 1993

WINNEBAGO COUNTY
Started the Oshkosh Chapter 1997
LAKE POYGAN
Contributed to DNR construction of rock barrier in the lake. 2000, $10,081.60
LAKE BUTTES DES MORTES
Operated Walleye (Sauger) Wagon on lake for 10 years.

WALLEYE WAGONS
Now operating 9 Walleye Wagon portable fish hatcheries
These hatcheries have released approximately 145,000,000 walleye fry over the past 20 years.
Purchase 39 fyke nets for WFT netting of walleye to gather eggs for hatchery operation
Purchased 4 John Boats, motors and trailers for hatchery and project operation between 2002 & 2015. $51,145
Built hatchery #1, 1993, $19,922 Yahara R.
Built hatchery #2, 1994, $15,796 L. Puckaway
Built hatchery #3, 1994, $16,192 Big Cedar
Built hatchery #4, 1996, $15,275 Big Green
Built hatchery #5, 1997, $8,295 Wis. Dells
Built hatchery #6, 1998, $5,940
Built hatchery #7, 2003, $3,772.42
Rebuilt hatchery #3, 2006. $2,116
Rebuilt hatchery # 1, 2009, $2,853,07
Built hatchery # 8, 2010. $3,662.21
Rebuilt hatchery # 2, 2013. $3,145.02
Built hatchery # 9 2015

MICHIGAN

BAY COUNTY
Started the Muskegon Chapter, 2000
SAGANAW BAY
Sonic tagged walleye in Saganaw Bay. 2000, $5,810

GOGEBIC COUNTY
Started the Lake Gogebic Chapter, 2009
Installed a large continuous rock reef consisting of 1,800,000 pounds of rock in 2014 by barge. $45,050.00

DNR ADELL HATCHERY
Paid to have two walleye rearing ponds constructed at the hatchery, 2005, $32,555.55

YOUTH FISHIIN
WFT budgets $11,000 per year for rod & reel combinations and tackle boxes to be given away at chapter sponsored events.

WFT EQUIPMENT PURCHASES

BOATS, MOTORS, TRAILERS & EQUIP. PURCHASED
Pontoon #1, 1995, $6,283
Pontoon #2, 1999, $11,035.95
John Boat #1, 2002, $12,991
John Boat #2, 2002, $13,738.95
John Boat #3, 2005, $13,473
John Boat #4, 2012 $12,659.90
John Boat #5, 2015, $13,884
FYKE NETS
$794.89. 1999
$887. 2003
(5) 2004 Green lake
(5) 2005. $5,802.50. Green Lake
(6) 2007. $3,939.53. Barron Co.
(8) 2009. $5,562, Green Lake
(4) 2009. 2,453, Multi Lake
(6) 2012 $5,311, Barron Co.
(4) 2015, $3,221, Multi Lake
SAWS
(2) Husqvarna ice chain saws $1,000, 2003
(2) Sled saws, $2,284. 2005
SNOW BLOWER, $750, 2005
OFFICE COPIER, $3,334, 2012

Contributions

Purchased a new electroshocking boat for Oshkosh DNR Fisheries staff in1994. $24,837
Purchased a new generator for DNR shock boat in 2007. $2,575
Purchased a Spine Saw used for ageing fish for Oshkosh DNR Fisheries staff. 1999. $4,183.73
Purchased new 75 hp. outboard motor for Oshkosh DNR work boat. $3,500, 1999
Purchased new motors for DNR shock boat. 2002. $7,150
Purchased a new Kahn custom built work boat for Barron Co. DNR Fisheries staff, 2008, $13,728.22
UWSP Fisheries student scholarships. 1995-97, $1500, 1998-99, $3,000, 2000-2015, $30,000
UWSP, purchased 18’ John boat, motor and trailer for use by Natural Resources students to use on projects, 2011, $11,698.90
Support publishing of walleye comprehensive research book, 2009, $1,000
Purchased walleye sonic tags for DNR Fox River movement study, 2009, $2,521.40
DNR, Lake Wisconsin, purchased 4,000 Floy Tags to tag walleyes due to DNR not having funds to undertake tagging program, 2012, $3,000
Walleyes For Tomorrow is a Federally Tax Exempt 501 (c) 3 and (c) 4 Corporation, and a Wisconsin Non-Stock Corporation.
Walleyes For Tomorrow is a totally volunteer organization and pays no salaries to any member or officer.
All expenditures for the above listed projects, initiatives, studies or assets were paid for by income derived from fundraising events, memberships, donations, memorials and grants.
Thank you for your support in helping with our goal of improving production of Walleye in Wisconsin.

Contact WFT at 920-579-0106 or cnma4848@hotmail.com

Green Lake Fish Sticks

IMGA1942 (2)The GL Chapter volunteers, with the help of Jeff Washkovick of R&R Wash Materials of Ripon who donated his Saturday and a CAT mini excavator with various mini excavator attachments, assisted in the placement of our first “Fish Sticks” project. The dozen or so volunteers dropped several large live oaks from the shore of the area known as the “Winnebago Trail” on the Green Lake Conference Center grounds, this is one of the several properties purchased by the Green Lake Sanitary district as conservatory set-back properties.

Whew what a learning curve, and a full day’s work. If it wasn’t for the outstanding generous donation by Jeff Washkovick of R&R Wash Materials we might still be out there working on this project. We placed about 400 to 500 pounds of rock at various locations along the length of trees, and enhanced the crown with other various live smaller trees. Four “Duckbill” anchors were driven straight down into the lakes shore-line to secure the trees to the shore. Hopefully this is just the first in many more placements, providing the 2015-2016 winter brings us good ice.

Here are a few updates for the Green Lake chapter of WFT.

Green Lake Beauty

The Green Lake chapter no longer has to OTC their fry prior to spring stocking. The DNR has found proof that the WFT GL hatchery has in-fact been bolstering the walleye fishery of Big Green Lake through its fry stocking efforts. This past October the WI DNR did capture 74 YOY (young of year) walleyes from Big Green of which 30% tested positive with our OTC markings!!!!!

But as explained by a DNR personal these fry are individuals like each of us and the fry’s tolerance level is different just like our tolerance levels differ between us all, therefore you could be the best chemist in the world but yet not all the fry will be marked, therefore a much higher number of these fry possibility could have come out of the Green Lake Hatchery. The most interesting aspect of this study is the growth rate; the GL YOY fry had to be sent back twice to be sure that they were YOY (Young Of Year) fry which in fact they were. The smallest was 6.22” and the largest was 8.86” in a five to five and a half month growth period!!

Incubating Eggs

Incubating Eggs

Which is outstanding growth rates! Due to the OTC process the GL chapter may have stumbled upon something that maybe looked at by the WI DNR, due to the OTC process the GL fry were released very late in the day in mid to late May. This fry release coincides with the movement of the microscopic organisms to the surface layers of the lake, just at the same time that the fry were released and are looking for a meal. This coupled with the low light period these released fry may not be preyed upon due to the low light as easily and the abundance of food, thus increasing their survival rates/growth rates.

The extended growth “Wisconsin Walleye Initiative” may get a hard look due to what was found on Big Green Lake with the late day fry stocking and the results. The cost of each extended growth “WI Walleye Initiative” fish is quite costly, if this late-in the day fry stocking proves to be more effective than the stocking of extended growth fish, that could be HUGE!!! It is far cheaper to release fry than extended growth fish, the WI DNR has always stocked fry/fish during a first shift basis. This may now change due to what has been uncovered on Green Lake with the late day fry stocking.

Our stocking numbers with the OTC process has been around the 4 million fry mark, now that we no longer have to OTC we can up our fry stocking levels to 5 to 6 million. That means we’ll target 7.5 to 8 million eggs in the hatchery, hopefully we end up with around that 6 million two day old fry to be released.

The Green Lake chapter fund raiser will be held on August 8, 2015 at Deacon Mills Park, Green Lake, WI. Please come and support an up and coming walleye fishery, where the next state record walleye is waiting for you!