You are correct that the perch nets are 10' high and sit near or on the bottom but the walleye nets that are out at Port Bruce right now are canned nets (the ones with the white jugs between the flags). The commercial guy told us yesterday they are suspended about 10-12 feet below the surface right now. You cannot cross them with any gear in the water except at the gates between the strings of nets. The gates are about 600-800 apart between the looooooong strings of nets which are a few thousand feet long.
GM
Talked to a commercial guy the other day and his Walleye nets are set on the bottom a little east of Tecumseh shoal in 75 to 80 FOW.
Not saying they could be set higher on any given day.
And, far as crossing nets without any gear down is not a problem. Just watch you don't run over the rope holding the jugs. Drive slowly.