This tagged Lake Winnipeg walleye was putting on some serious miles!
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Or, well, technically she was putting on some serious kilometers. 😅
I was sent this awesome post/info from Travis Farrow (the founder of STOCK Fishing Gear – more on them later). It’s a gorgeous 29-incher that Megan Anger caught out of Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba. Love when they get all starchy and finned-out for the pic!
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Megan caught ‘er up high in the water column with a "purple tiger glow" color 1/4-oz PK Rattle Spoon. She was fishing in 14’ just a couple miles out from the south shore, halfway between Pruden Creek and the East Channel.
The fish looks shocked that it was finally fooled lol.
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Great fish and pics – congrats Megan! BUT it gets even better...
The walleye was also floy and acoustic tagged. Megan’s friend put her in touch with someone from DFO [Fisheries and Oceans Canada] and she was able to learn a bit more about this fish:
> Megan: “She was tagged in the Red River in 2017, at that time measuring 26.5 inches. Fast forward 7 yrs, I caught her measuring in at 29 inches, and released her happy and healthy.
> "I was also forwarded some information and a map showing where her acoustic tag was detected in the lake over the 6.5 yrs her acoustic tag battery was active. She was all over the south basin and was as far north as Grindstone Point.”
The dots are everywhere the fish was recorded. The larger the dot = the more times it was recorded there:
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Btw it’s over 75 miles as the crow flies from the furthest south dot in the Red River to the furthest north dot past Matheson Island! And of course that “greenback” didn’t swim in a straight line...walleyes swim like your dogs walks lol.
> Megan: “This was one of my favourite fishing experiences – it’s truly remarkable learning more about this particular fish’s history and getting an idea of how old these bigger fish actually are. All the more reason to handle them with care, get them back in the water happy and healthy to make some more future big mommas!”
No doubt! That’s truly incredible. Thank YOU for sharing this info. I find this stuff so dang fascinating, and will do some more digging into this tagging study and follow up with you fish-heads.... 👊
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Can walleyes get cataracts?
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I’ve only seen something like it one other time, and that was caught by Derick Berhow while fishing on Lake Winnipeg. He said it looked almost like the skin on its cheek had grown over its eye:
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Speaking of walleyes getting cataracts....
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How to tell if big walleyes are male or female 🤔
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Pile of info in this throwback Gord Pyzer write-up, I’ll plop a few interesting excerpts below from his collab with Jeff Matity, who works at Saskatchewan’s Fort Qu’Appelle Fish Hatchery.
Whole convo came about after Jeff’s bro Jason Matity snatched this 29” MALE walleye outta SK’s Last Mountain Lake.
Spoiler alert: That’s not a frozen-over eyeball...it’s cataracts from old age:
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> Jeff: “When compared with much younger female fish of comparable length, males...have heads that are disproportionately larger and longer. Their eyes are often clouded over with cataracts, their pigmentation changes from gold to grey, there’s a thickening or ‘stubbiness’ to their fins and roundness to the caudal fin (sloughing off most or all of the yearly growth of fin edges) and a leanness to their bodies.
> “...males seem to nearly ‘stunt’ at a smaller age, while the females grow considerably larger. That’s because increased body size means increased egg mass and volume for increased reproduction.
> “Mother Nature does not urge males to grow as big, since sperm are infinitely tiny compared to eggs. As long as an individual male is healthy, he can produce fresh, viable sperm for the entire spawning season, unlike the one-shot quantity of ripe eggs from a female.”
Keep reading here to learn why Jason’s 29” male walleye grew so big….
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After yeeeears of trying to put one topside, Breanna Jada finally cracked a “dirty-30” on Lake Winnipeg, Manitoba! 👏👏👏
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> “We were fishing in 12’ of water...we drilled a bunch of holes in a grid fashion. From the LiveScope we could see that she came in about 7’ from the hole I was fishing...so I picked up my rod and flasher and dropped into a hole about 2’ away from her and started ripping. She came in hungry and absolutely SMASHED my lure.”
Here’s a look at the "tropical punch" color Mugshot from Element Custom Baits that she was using – I’m really digging it!
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> “She peeled a bit of line and threw some wicked head shakes...I’m absolutely shaking at this point because I have this feeling that it’s finally the 30 I’ve been after....
> “And as she comes to the hole, her back got stuck and I had a moment of panic that I’d get hooked on the ice and she’d pop off. But after a few deep breaths, she managed her way up, and when I finally saw her head come up the hole...I absolutely lost it.
> “I was too nervous to look at the bump board at first. I didn't want the disappointment of coming in even a 1/4" short...but sure enough 30 on the nose. I had to ask the guide about 3 times over ‘are you sure?!?’ Before I would look”
Lol what a wild ride!
> “As always, @gaunefishin got us on the bite, and our guide @fullsend_angling went above and beyond for us – if you’re looking for a guided trip out on Lake Winnipeg, these are your guys, I cannot recommend them enough.”
Congrats on the fish of a lifetime, Breanna!
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Last-ice crappies LOADED in the shallows (tips and location breakdown)
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The shorelines are separating, but we still have some fish-able ice in the area.... Panfish have made their break for skinny water and it’s some of the best fishing of the season 👀 with no one else around. Here's my program for last-chance slabs!
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Cool thing is these are the same areas where you’ll be able to target ‘em from the boat in the coming weeks.
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1. MN-FISH Angler’s Summit is happening Mar 27
Here’s a note from Ron Schara:
> One last reminder – kinda like your bobber is going down – to sign up and attend the MN-FISH Angler’s Summit, set for March 27 at Timberlake Lodge in Grand Rapids, MN. Registration begins at 9 am. Program starts at 10. Admission is FREE and includes lunch.
> This is your opportunity to meet fellow anglers, share your thoughts, hear from DNR fisheries leaders and learn about issues that will shape Minnesota fishing in the future.
Topics include:
- DNR’s proposal to change the state’s walleye limit from 6 to 4...and the potential year-round bass season. DNR fisheries chief, Brad Parsons, will explain the DNR’s rationale on both ideas.
- Forward Facing Sonar – full steam ahead?
- Muskie and northern pike management? Is it working?
- Walleye stocking – More or less?
> In addition, attendees will be able to voice their concerns, ask questions and get answers.
You can register here.
2. Rapala 🤝 NWT
3. MI: DNR set to collect walleye eggs near Croton Dam
> The agency plans to collect approximately 26 million walleye eggs from the Muskegon River, which has the largest run of walleye in the Lake Michigan watershed south of Green Bay.
4. CO: Parks and Wildlife teams catch spawning walleye...
to help stock reservoirs:
> Over the course of 12 days, collection sites [at places like Cherry Creek Reservoir] are set up in the water to catch the spawning fish and more than 125 million fish eggs will be harvested.
> The walleye get tossed back in the water, their eggs are fertilized and then grown in CPW's fish hatcheries. Wildlife officers will restock CO's waters with those fish once they grow up a bit.
5. OH: Intentional walleye snagging on the Maumee River?
Few lines from this Mac Arnold write-up on The Blade:
> A post on one of the walleye run Facebook group feeds was by an out-of-towner saying he had a good time, caught some fish, and saw plenty of limits being paraded about on stringers, but was disappointed in how many fouled-caught fish were being kept by anglers.
> Whereas it could be another example of a Donnie Downer and the like trying to take a shot at what is otherwise a great event for northwest OH, I thought I would pursue the subject further with the Division of Wildlife.
> Sarah Schott, Ohio Division of Wildlife communications specialist, said that it is likely that illegally snagged fish have been caught and kept.
> “With increased opportunity, there is always the chance that there will be more illegal activity,” she said to me in an email on Tuesday. “Hence, why enforcement is increased in these particular areas during this time of year. Snagging is a common violation this time of year that our wildlife officers are on the lookout for. However, they cannot be in every place at one time, which is why we have the Turn in a Poacher [TIP] program. Anglers can report illegal wildlife activity by calling 1-800-POACHER or submitting an online form. TIPS can remain anonymous.”
> It may worth noting that keeping a snagged walleye is a misdemeanor of the fourth degree with a maximum fine of $250 but it is dependent on the court and other considerations, such as if any previous violations have been committed by the accused....
6. Sufix's new ultra-finesse braid is out
Called Sufix Revolve and is specifically designed for finesse applications with spinning setups. Won best of category for fishing line at ICAST last summer.
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I had the chance to run a couple reels with 10-lb (perfect all-around size for most walleye applications) in the "neon lime" color last season and it's LEGIT. Few things that really stood out to me:
- Casts soooo dang smooth – I could get an extra 30’ casting distance or so when throwing 3/16-oz jigs.
- Very thin diameter: 🤯 10-lb Sufix Revolve has the same diameter as 6-lb Sufix 832.
- It’s a “greater bodied line to reduce annoying wind knots.” Used it all last summer – a TON of casts – and never did get a wind knot.
- I also really like that they put a “midpoint marker” at 100 yards on the spool...a color-break indicator so you can equally spool 2 reels.
Looks like FishUSA just got loaded up – ‘tis the spooling season!
7. MN: New Dialed In Angling Podcast talks reg changes
> [Tony Roach sits down] with Greg Berg, MNDNR Mille Lacs Area Supervisor, to discuss regulation changes for the big lake. Tony also breaks down some other MN fishing regulations changes for 2025 and opens up a discussion on technology and future Minnesota regulations.
8. Affordable, inflatable air boat for ice fishing?!
Sounds like Jason Mitchell’s been sneakily working on this project for a while now:
> Our vision with Seal-Craft is to create an affordable, inflatable air boat for ice fishing. Perfect for early and late ice and often necessary for navigating treacherous ice. This machine will be great for places like Fort Peck, the Mississippi River, Green Bay, Superior and Erie.
Click the pic below for a short vid of it running a heave:
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> This little sauger is a pretty meaningful fish.... Not only is this the first fish caught in my new Lund Impact, it is the first fish caught in my latest YT video in which I announced I’m GOING FULL TIME! That’s right. Starting in April I will be going full time into fishing media creation! Like so many of you, working in the fishing industry has always been a dream of mine and I have finally been blessed with the chance to go for it.
> Thanks so much to all of you who have watched my videos, supported me and purchased products from the brands I promote. I wouldn’t be here without you! And thanks to all the companies who have taken a chance on me so far as well. I can’t thank you enough! Here’s to more fishing and good times ahead!
Congrats man! Enjoy the ride!!
13. MN: Zebra mussels confirmed in Lake Bronson
14. MN: Zeebz found in Fish Hook Lake
Near Park Rapids.
15. Old Town launches 5 new watercrafts
16. Easton Fothergill won the 2025 Bassmaster Classic!
The 22-year-old from Grand Rapids, MN just won the Super Bowl of bass fishing on Lake Ray Roberts, TX 🏆 taking home $300K [!] while also breaking Kevin VanDam's record for the heaviest 3-day weight (76-15 on 15 fish) in the 55-yr history of the prestigious fishing tournament.
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Have you tried the “Dodd knot” before?
Thx to TW reader John Minnihan for the heads-up, as that was the first time I had ever seen this variation of joiner knot for tying leader line to a braided main line. Folks are saying that it’s even sleeker and tighter than the FG knot, and of course easier to tie than it...everything is lol.
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Little update from the guy who originally created that knot:
> “When I first developed this knot the braided lines were more oval shaped so it took many more wraps to prevent any slippage, which is the death nail to a good knot. Most new braided lines are now woven with 8 strands, making them rounder, which eliminates about half the wraps....”
Says he never needs to use more than 7 wraps now when using newer, rounder braid.
Remember: Practice makes perfect. 😅🤷♂️
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I still have nightmares about the first time I tried tying an FG knot up. Might be the only thing I’ve ever completely given up on after attempting it for a mere 47 seconds. 🫣
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“There are plenty of reasons an angler should replace stock trebles...but this one’s new to me.
- That’s fish-head Eric Allee talking about getting himself in quite the pokey predicament:
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Eric replied to a comment asking how he managed that lol:
> “...we cleaned my truck this weekend and Leslie made me remove the jerkbait that had been stuck in my dash for two years. I put it in the console where I lay my keys when I drive.... Yup. Picked them up and put them in my pocket this morning, go to hit my alarm and get poked. Look down and that damn Vision 110 Jr is what I see!”
Wait a second, did you just blame your wife for that happening?! 😅 I’ll take Leslie’s side on this one hahaha!
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The accesses aren’t open quite yet on the Rainy River (MN/CAN border) but some folks are already sliding smaller rigs in off the bank 👀🤫 like guide Jason Groll who stuck this true Rainy River giant to the tune of 32” and had the girth to match! What a specimen:
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Sign up another fish-head!
If you're forwarding Target Walleye to a friend who loves to walleye fish or want your fishing buddies to get these emails, just send us their email addresses and we'll take care of it! (We won't sell the addresses, use them for spam, etc.)
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FRIENDS OF TARGET WALLEYE
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Target Walleye – walleye during open water and all species during hardwater – is brought to you by Al Lindner, Jay Kumar, Chris Philen, Brett McComas and other diehard fish-heads like you!
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Brett McComas is the main man for Target Walleye He was discovered in Brainerd, MN after years of wondering how in the heck people break into the fishing biz. He's in it now, but still can't answer that question.... Brett is one of those guys who majored in marketing, only because there was no such thing as a "fishing degree" at the time.... Get him at brett@targetwalleye.com
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