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Posts: 227
Location: New Brighton, MN | On a lake I often fish in Polk County, WI - over the weekend there were several, mabye a few dozen nets along shore with DNR flags. each was about 50 feet long and right on the shore. I'm not sure what they are for...
I called the local DNR office, but they were of little help.
Would this be a lake survey taking place?
Are they collecting eggs for a hatchery? if so are they to be returned to the same lake?
Any guesses on what this may be?
Do any of you folks have contacts in the Polk co. area? I am very, very curious.
Any insights will be appreciated! |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | More than likely fyke nets from the way you are describing it. Used to capture fish and take data to age the population, get an abundance and a size structure of the local fishery. The nets are attached to something on shore than run a lead out in the water that blocks fish and forces them to turn around or swim down the net into a cage type net which funnels into a series of hoops of which the last is tied off so the fish can not escape. Hope this helps. |
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Posts: 154
Location: Appleton, WI | most likely it is for a lake population survey. They use these to shape what the future regulations will be on the lake. The only way to tell if it was an egg collection would be to see them actually stripping the fish for the collection. |
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Posts: 227
Location: New Brighton, MN | My first thought was - a survey, but why then would they only have nets within 50 feet of shore? I would think that this would not be an accurate sample. it excludes all fish that arent roaming shallow.
I did hear a rumor that they were considering putting slot limits on bass/walleye in the near future, so it may make sense...
Edited by Willis 4/17/2007 2:57 PM
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Keith is working on a fyke net crew right now, I'll have him answer this as soon as I can get him on a computer. |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Fyke nets need to be placed on shore. It needs to be connect to something that will hold the net up. You arent going to catch all the fish in the lake in the fyke nets. If you get a given number of fish from a set amount of nets with a known number of feet of net out you can calculate the pressure at which you are attempting to catch, you will be able to factor in a given error. If they have a few dozen nets they will be more than able to gain an accurate estimate of the populations, size structure/age structure.
How much of the net could you see? Did you drive up to them and look at them? They extend underwater farther than some who arent familiar with the nets may think. Then again some arent in deep enough water that they stick out of the water.
I just did some fyke netting on the river. The nets catch plenty of fish, you would probably be very surprised. They may not seem like they are in optimal places but they dont just throw nets out to throw nets out. There is likely a reason they placed the nets in the areas they placed them. We had a net up real shallow and it was packed full of fish. Here are some pics of last friday's netting.
Attachments
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 Fyke1.jpg (178KB - 72 downloads)
Fyke2.jpg (226KB - 53 downloads)
Fyke15resize.jpg (191KB - 59 downloads)
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Posts: 303
Location: WI | Willis - you have a PM.
Would the DNR be open about the information they gained, or do they like to keep their findings quiet? |
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | All you have to do is ask. But generally it takes quite a bit of time to work up data from surveys, especially if they are doing aging from scales and spines. The best thing you could do would be to give that area's local biologist a call or send an email. But I wouldnt expect them to have all the information worked up from the survey. |
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Posts: 910
Location: Hastings, mn, 55033 | "what you talkin bout Willis?"
sorry couldnt resist  |
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Posts: 50
Location: Central Wi. | I've seen similar nets placed in a lake I frequent. I asked DNR personel who were tending them what was the purpose. Their reply was that they were collecting sucker eggs to raise suckers for feeding purposes at hatcheries. Costs less than buying them. I could not believe the numbers of suckers that they were stripping.
No wonder I never catch any muskies there. |
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Posts: 32885
Location: Rhinelander, Wisconsin | Keith said you are probably seeing a population estimate underway. If the lake has walleyes, they are a target this time of year, but all species of game fish are worked up. If they are surveying the walleye population the nets will be shallow because of the spawn.
It's possible they are after suckers too. |
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| wre they netting Big Round? |
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Posts: 50
Location: Central Wi. | LVD |
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| wre the nets in misery bay? |
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Location: Eau Claire,WI | They are doing the same on Wissota,I actually followed them around this afternoon on the Yellow River.They were more than happy to let me tag along,they even offered...The DNR are doing a musky study,year 2 of 2. Not many muskies,good #'s of walleye,TONS of small perch,few crappie and suckers too. In one net they had a surprise,2 snapping turtles,LOL It was fun watching them and seeing all the fish. |
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Posts: 50
Location: Central Wi. | South shore |
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Posts: 50
Location: Central Wi. | Yeah these guys were great. Informative and friendly. Actually, they were working on a Sunday. I was impressed. We watched from a distance, didn't want to disturb them, and they waved us in. Talked to us for a half hour. |
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| did all the ice go out on LVD on monday I know it was out in front of Hillside is that near were they were netting? |
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Posts: 50
Location: Central Wi. | I don't know about the current ice conditions on LVD. The events I'm describing took place last spring. |
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Posts: 50
Location: Central Wi. | Check this out for ice out conditions. Thanks to another poster on another site.
http://coastwatch.glerl.noaa.gov/modis/modis.cgi/modis?region=s&pag... |
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Posts: 170
| Probably sucker eggs as stated earlier. They do that alot on LVD or possibly walleye study. Doubtful if the intent was for muskies. I was fortunate enough one year to watch (actually tied up to their boat) the MI DNR net muskies on a lake. The season was already open at that time and they measured, sexed and documented the findings. The girls that weren't quite ready were placed in a holding pen for a while...it was pretty cool standing in your boat looking around and seeing 10-12 fish just hanging around...two of them 47 and 48"ers. Very friendly guy's working the study. While I was tempted to start casting, I thought I'd maybe wear out my wlecome so opted not to...LOL
Edited by JimLang 4/18/2007 8:10 AM
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Posts: 227
Location: New Brighton, MN | Thanks for all the info...
I spoke with the DNR regarding the nets I saw.
They are indeed doing a survey. What I saw were the nets targeting walleye, they also conducted an electroshock survey. In a few weeks they are doing the same for Bass, and all season doing a "Creel Survey", where they actually approach fishermen to study their findings/results.
I dont think results will be available for at least a year, but i'm going to ask if I can tag along.. and hopefully learn something... there's gotta be a few muskie in the nets I would think, probably a bit of everything.
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Posts: 16632
Location: The desert | Muskies are hard to come by in the nets. Also if they are targeting walleye I would guess that the temps are not right for the muskies yet. It is fun to do though and if you can get out with them you would enjoy it. |
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