If a fish could go through life with a perpetual identity crisis, it would likely be a walleye.
Is it a food fish? Emphatically, yes. Walleyes and their saugeye close cousins just might be the tastiest of fresh-water fish. Their dinner-table appeal is little short of legendary, and many — probably most — walleye fishermen expect to bring home at least a couple of fillets.
Is it a trophy fish? It can be. For some anglers, a sporting chance to catch a big fish is all that matters, even if it means catching significantly fewer average-sized fish, and bringing in a truly large walleye presents a special challenge.
Factor in the expectation of some fishermen to catch good numbers of fish with some consistency, and walleyes once again may fill the bill.
With such diverse and potentially conflicting interests at play, and Colorado fishing regulations for the next five years under review, fisheries managers understandably are taking a close look at the existing provisions for walleyes.
“It’s a real challenge for us,” said Doug Krieger, senior fisheries biologist for the Colorado Division of Wildlife’s southeast region, who with Ken Kehmeier, his northeast region counterpart, is preparing to introduce walleye regulations as an issue to the Colorado Wildlife Commission in July, in the first phase of that body’s three-step decision-making process. Draft regulations will be presented in September; final action will be taken at the commission meeting in November.
“We’re looking at different waters and trying to find the right balance,” Krieger said.
While the standard bag limit for walleyes and saugeyes is five — 10 in the Arkansas River drainage — a number of waters have minimum-size provisions and other special restrictions. Those are under review, and some adjustments for the next five years likely will be recommended.
In the northeast, changes in walleye limits are under consideration for Cherry Creek, Horsetooth and Carter reservoirs. Cherry Creek and Horsetooth at present have an 18-inch minimum-size limit, and only one walleye per day may exceed 21 inches. The current regulation at Carter stipulates one walleye 16-20 inches long may be taken daily.
Potential changes reflect the different character of each lake.
“We like to manage walleye waters from the forage base up,” Kehmeier said. “That’s a primary factor in what we’re considering for these lakes.”
Cherry Creek, with Chatfield and Pueblo reservoirs, is a walleye brood lake, a vital source of spawn that will produce fish for stocking into other waters. In recent years, Chatfield has seen a decline in walleye numbers.
Walleyes in the 18- to 21-inch range are a key component in the Cherry Creek spawn-taking operation. Kehmeier and his staff are considering a limit reduction that would protect the egg source while providing a chance for anglers to bring home a walleye dinner. A three-fish limit has been proposed in preliminary discussions.
Horsetooth Reservoir once was among the state’s best large walleye waters but has declined after a crash in the population of rainbow smelt that had been their primary forage. At present, self-sustaining walleyes are numerous, but their growth rate is very slow. Almost none measure up to the minimum-size limit.
Removal of that provision appears likely.
A limit adjustment also might be in the works for Carter. The reservoir west of Berthoud is a brood lake and has naturally reproducing walleyes. Stocked rainbow trout at present are the primary forage. Kehmeier is considering some sort of maximum-size provision to protect the largest fish while reducing the total walleye population and maintaining some degree of trout fishing.
“We used to pretty routinely net 12- and 15-pound walleyes at Carter,” Kehmeier said. “I think we can start seeing those again.” “
In the southeast, several waters including Trinidad, John Martin, Nee Noshe and Nee Grande reservoirs have a 15-inch minimum-size restriction, with a limit of one fish exceeding 21 inches. All are being re-evaluated. Trinidad has an inadequate forage base; management of the others is complicated by unreliable water levels.
Pueblo Reservoir, with an 18-inch minimum and a restriction of one fish over 21 inches, probably will not be changed.
“We’re still looking at a lot of possibilities,” Kehmeier said. “We’ve had some good public involvement, and we welcome comments from anglers.”
