Douglas Gill Netting 2007
Sampling Date: December 5, 2007
Species collected in survey (6 net nights):
Walleye - 28
Sauger - 35
TWRA's 2007 gill net sample collected 35 sauger and 28 walleye. Six experimental gill nets were set mostly near points and along the main channel, from just above of Indian Creek to Muddy Creek.
The number of sauger collected was below normal, while the catch of walleye was good when compared to the past several years. Extremely low water levels may have affected the catch.
Nearly 70% of the sauger were over 14-inches and 34% were above the 15-inch minimum size limit. No sauger less than 12-inches were netted which may indicate a poor 2007 year class. However, young-of-the-year sauger can be difficult to locate and the low water level could have adversely effected the catch of small fish.
No walleye under 12-inches were collected for perhaps the same reason. A good number of walleye (82%) above the 15-inch minimum size limit were netted which should make for some good walleye fishing though 2008.
The large group of sauger and walleye above 14-inches indicates good growth and survival of the 2006 year classes. The condition of sauger was normal, while the relative weights for walleye were a little below average. Contrary to popular belief, the TWRA has not stocked Douglas or its tributaries with walleye since the early 1980’s, but they continue to spawn and do well in the reservoir.
A new regulation will go into effect for Douglas beginning on March 1, 2008. It will be a 5-fish per day limit of walleye and sauger in combination. There will be no length limit on sauger, but only one may be over 16-inches. The minimum length limit will remain 15-inches for walleye.
The goal of this regulation is to limit the number of female sauger being harvested so as to increase natural reproduction. The majority of sauger over 16-inches are female, while males are usually less than 15-inches. The old regulation (15-inch minimum size limit) was selecting for the harvest of female sauger.
Sauger length frequency - 2007
Sauger relative weights - 2007
Walleye length frequency - 2007
Walleye relative weights - 2007
