To whom it may concern The…

To whom it may concern

The new LOW limit walleye proposal is flawed.

1- It will increase the hook and release until they catch the largest legal fish. Because of reduced limits no one will want to keep 2 small fish and will target the larger 43 cm size to have enough for a meal.

2- Hook and release has been proven to increase mortality especially during the peak summer season when the water Temps are +20, that is the time when there is most pressure on the resource.

3- My proposal to protect and increase the survival rate is to implement barbless hooks. The use of barbless hooks makes for a easier release without too much damage.
Some will say it will be more difficult to hold the fish but there are techniques that can be learned to land the fish.
I personally think this is the best alternative to maintain and increase the resource.

4- In my years of fishing LOW, I have never caught a wounded or healed fish that had an obvious damaged mouth. The question is WHY.

5- Your alternative proposal for catching between 35 and 43 cm will increase mortality by having to release fish under and over the limit.

6- STOP the walleye tournaments as this is just a ruthless, damaging way to catch the largest fish.

7- Implementing barbless hooks is all you need to conserve and repleish the resource.