What are the survival rates for walleye caught in Minnesota tournaments and then released back into a lake?
We are about to find out through a major survey in Minnesota and other cooperating states where such tournaments are held each year.
Walleye caught at Wal-Mart FLW Walleye Tournaments this summer will not only thrill anglers, they'll help researchers study survival rates at catch-and-release tournaments. Walleye will be studied at 12 Wal-Mart FLW Walleye League Tournaments in the cooperating states. Tournaments will be held in accordance with existing state laws.
The effects of tournaments on walleye populations will be analyzed through computer models using data collected from the 12 live release tournaments. A survey and focus group meetings of anglers, biologists and the industry will be used to determine socially acceptable levels of survival in tournament-caught walleye.
FLW Outdoors, a major corporate tournament sponsor, will join the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and four Midwest states in the two-year study, which aims to minimize the effect of tournaments on walleye populations.
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"Walleye angling has changed since we last looked at tournament survival," said Jack Wingate, DNR Division of Fish and Wildlife research manager. "This is an excellent example of tournament sponsors working with natural resource professionals for the good of the resource."
The $253,000 study, set to begin this summer, will be implemented by the University of Minnesota and Mississippi State University. Other states involved are Iowa, South Dakota, Wisconsin and Michigan.
"Through this important cooperative venture, we hope to improve the walleye resource for everyone," Wingate said. "The results of this study will help determine how future tournaments are permitted."
A final study report is expected in December 2007.
Minnesota's Department of Natural Resources is encouraging hunters, specifically bear hunters, to file as soon as possible for several licenses that have come available.
Minnesota bear hunters who were unsuccessful in this year's lottery may purchase a surplus license starting at noon on Aug. 1.
Surplus licenses are available in six permit areas where the number of available bear licenses exceeded the number of applicants. For the 2005 season, 15,950 licenses were offered in 11 permit areas. A total of 16,510 applications were received. A total of 2,021 surplus licenses will be available for the bear season.
In area 31, three licenses are available, while 85 are available in permit area 22, 186 in area 13, 451 in area 24, 573 in area 45, and 724 in area 51.
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Surplus licenses are available on a first-come, first-serve basis at more than 1,700 statewide Electronic License System (ELS) vendors. Any eligible person will be able to purchase a remaining bear permit.
Minnesota's bear season runs from Sept. 1 to Oct. 16. Licenses for the no-quota area (outside of the 11 lottery permit areas) can be purchased directly at any ELS vendor beginning Aug. 1.
This year, hunters will be able to purchase permits in both quota and no-quota areas. However, they'll be restricted to hunting only those areas where their permit is valid.
A map showing the location of these bear permit areas can be found on the DNR Web site at www.dnr.state.mn.us . Bear licenses cost $39 for residents and $196 for non- residents.
Johnson, who works with the Minnesota Office of Tourism in St. Paul, can be reached at (651) 297-3488 or via e-mail at curt.johnson@state.mn.us
