Hello
I was hoping to get some advice, tips, etiquette, rule of thumb from more experienced fishermen on releasing walleye.
I am new to fishing for walleye at depths of more then 20 feet, as the majority of my walleye fishing has come from far up north in typically shallower depths then Erie. Typically we have always released the larger walleye we caught unless we felt they would not survive being released. But after a few trips out in Erie we seem to be doing really well and producing what we would consider to be larger fish in the 4 to 8lb range. Now up north these would be fish we release with out question. However the more I read about catching Walleye from depths exceeding 30 feet it appears the mortality rate increases greatly due to a variety of reasons but mainly due to swim bladder issues.
So I'm curious on some input from other members on what they feel is the size and weight of fish that they feel should be released (too big to keep?) And more so if I am catching fish at 70 feet and releasing them are they just going to die anyways? I have been hesitant to release anything yet because I'd hate to let them go just to die, but don't want to keep large fish irresponsibly because I just don't know what the proper thing to due is.
Thanks in advance.
I was hoping to get some advice, tips, etiquette, rule of thumb from more experienced fishermen on releasing walleye.
I am new to fishing for walleye at depths of more then 20 feet, as the majority of my walleye fishing has come from far up north in typically shallower depths then Erie. Typically we have always released the larger walleye we caught unless we felt they would not survive being released. But after a few trips out in Erie we seem to be doing really well and producing what we would consider to be larger fish in the 4 to 8lb range. Now up north these would be fish we release with out question. However the more I read about catching Walleye from depths exceeding 30 feet it appears the mortality rate increases greatly due to a variety of reasons but mainly due to swim bladder issues.
So I'm curious on some input from other members on what they feel is the size and weight of fish that they feel should be released (too big to keep?) And more so if I am catching fish at 70 feet and releasing them are they just going to die anyways? I have been hesitant to release anything yet because I'd hate to let them go just to die, but don't want to keep large fish irresponsibly because I just don't know what the proper thing to due is.
Thanks in advance.