What will help the save walleye population?

The DNR is considered several options at the time, including reducing the walleye limit to four or even three fish. When the limit of walleye was originally six per person. Nina Moini from CBS Minnesota states, “The idea of reducing walleye limits to protect fish populations was introduced in the 2015, when the DNR re-evaluated limits for several fish species. The main fish species that was evaluated was the Walleye.” What Cook is stating is that the Walleye population is the most problematic of all of the fish species. This is because Walleyes are the most popular fish species and is the most fished by anglers in Minnesota and the limit needs to be reevaluated. Sam Cook from Northland Outdoors states that, “The idea that that reducing the walleye limit from six to four fish per person might reduce the harvest by almost one-third. But that isn’t true in because not many anglers catch a limit of six walleyes. During discussions in 2000, DNR officials said reducing the walleye limit from six to four would result in only a 5 percent reduction in harvest.” What Cook is stating is that, if the walleye limit is reduced to three fish a person then a 25 percent reduction in harvest would occur. These are just a few of the many options available at the time to help save the walleye population in Minnesota. There are many tools to help anglers catch fish, with the new technology available anglers are have a chance to catch more fish.

Does technology help anglers caught more fish?

The new technology allows anglers to pinpoint fishing spots and follow the large schools of fish. This allows the angler to caught more fish decreasing the number of fish in the school. Sam Cook of Northland Outdoors states that, “The number of angler-hours is probably a little lower than it was in the ’90s and ’80s, but the effective fishing pressure is higher. Boats in present time are bigger and faster. The technology of GPS and getting to the spot-on-the-spot is better. The technology now is far more advanced and allows anglers to catch more fish.” Cook is stating that with the new technology available anglers are allowed to get on their exact fishing spot decreasing there the amount of time anglers fish. With the new technology anglers are allowed to catch more walleye resulting in a decrease in the walleye population. Nina Moini a reporter from CBS Minnesota states, “In the case of angling action, improvements to fishing-line technology and manufacturing have vastly shifted the balance of power in the angler-versus-fish battle to give an advantage to today’s fishermen.” What Moini is stating is that the new technology allows anglers to have the advantage on today's fish. Since anglers have the advantage more fish are being caught with the assistance of technology. With the advanced technology giving the anglers the upper hand on fish, a limit in technology would help decrease the amount of Walleyes caught.

Would a limit on technology help decrease the amount of walleyes caught?

If a limit on technology is put in place then the number of walleyes caught will decrease. Tony Kennedy editor from the Star Tribune states, “As fishing pressure and technological advances increase, the number of fishing waters remains constant. While these technologies allow anglers to caught more fish.” What Kennedy is saying is that as bigger and better technology is made, it helps anglers caught more fishing decreasing the walleye population. One way to solve this problem is to limit the amount of technology per boat causing the anglers to caught less fish. According to the DNR Minnesota Anglers, “We should impose limits on technology to protect fish from over harvest.” The technology available to anglers has increased by around 90 percent since 1985. The average fishing boat now has at least one piece of technology with a gps in it. All of there are reason to why technology should be reduced to help save the walleye population. If this reduction is made it will help the walleye population grow, but it will take the DNR a long time to make this decision.

How long will it take for the DNR to lower the bag limit?

Over the past few years, the DNR has been trying to lower the Walleye bag limit to save the Walleye population. Tony Kennedy editor from the Star Tribune states, “Minnesota’s standard walleye limit of six fish per license holder could shrink for the first time in 60 years under a review that’s in its infancy at the state Department of Natural Resources.” What Kennedy is saying is that the Walleye limit has not changed in over 60 years but is in the infancy stages of being changed as of 2017. This is because the Walleye population is at it’s all time low and if something is not done then the walleye population could become non existent. Sam Cook from Northland Outdoors states that, “The idea that reducing the walleye limit from six to four fish per person might reduce the harvest by almost one-third. But that isn’t true in because not many anglers catch a limit of six walleyes. During discussions in 2000, DNR officials said reducing the walleye limit from six to four would result in only a 5 percent reduction in harvest.” What Cook is stating is that, if the walleye limit is reduced to three fish a person then a 25 percent reduction in harvest would occur. These are just a few of the many options available to the DNR to lower the bag limit in Minnesota. There are many ways for the walleye population to be saved and if action is taken now then the population can be saved.

Can the walleye population be saved?

The walleye population used to be the strongest fish species in Minnesota, but after years of being overfished and heavenly fished the walleye population is struggling. But it can be saved because there are many way the walleye can be saved. Tony Kennedy editor from the Star Tribune states, “Reducing the walleye limit from six to four fish per person will reduce the harvest by almost one-third.” What Kenney is saying is that a decrease in limit from six to four fish will allow the population to increase and will cause the fish to become healthier and grow stronger. This reduction will allow the population to flourish in all lakes because this would be a statewide bag limit reduction. Another way to save the walleye population is to decrease technology, Nina Moini from CBS Minnesota states, “With the new technology available for anglers, anglers can pinpoint fishing spots and follow the large schools of fish. This allows the angler to caught more fish decreasing the number of fish in the school… but this can be change if anglers are limited technology then this will help save the fish schools.” What Moni is saying is that as more advanced technology is made, it allows anglers caught more fishing decreasing the already struggling walleye population. One way to fix this huge problem is to limit the amount of technology per boat causing the anglers to caught less fish. Members of the walleye advisory group, believes anglers around the state would be open to reducing the walleye limit and technology limit. This is because they believe it will untimely help the walleye population allowing them to caught more fish in the future.

Glossary

Angler-a person who fishes with a rod and line.

Walleye-a North American pikeperch with large with silvery eyes and it is a valuable food fish and a popular sporting fish.

DNR- the department of natural resources. Is a government group that takes care of all natural resources like lakes and forests. Also, they controls the wildlife management and fishing limits and stocking lakes.

Pinpoint-something that is extremely small or insignificant.

Problematic-posing a problem or difficult to solve or decide.

Flourish-to grow luxuriantly