Proposed Regulation Change for Walleye and Sauger Nighttime Possession
The Walleye Working Group recommends removing the nighttime closure portion of the walleye and sauger season. With this change, the season for taking and possessing walleye and sauger would be open throughout the year. The change would increase angling opportunities, simplify regulations, and help prevent unintended code violations.
This would be a change from the current regulation, which reads:
Rule 3 CSR 10-6.540 Walleye and Sauger (3) Seasons: Throughout the year, except that from February 20 through April 14 walleye and sauger may be taken and possessed only between one-half (1/2) hour before sunrise to one-half (1/2) hour after sunset in the Swan Creek Arm of Bull Shoals Lake above Highway 160 and in the unimpounded portions of all streams except the Mississippi, and Missouri rivers. Walleye and sauger may not be possessed on waters or banks thereof during closed seasons or closed hours.
Background
A perception that walleye populations might be overharvested during the spawning season motivated MDC to add the current nighttime closure portion of the regulation. Recent evaluations by fisheries managers based on a better understanding of walleye spawning do not support the need for the nighttime closure portion of the regulation.
In reservoirs, walleye tend to spawn on rip-rap banks, along the dam, or in riffle habitats upstream of the reservoir. These riffles can have large aggregations of male walleye. Female walleye, however, stage downstream and spend only about one night on spawning riffles.
In rivers such as the Black, Current, Eleven Point, and St. Francis, walleye gather on many riffles, and spawning occurs over many river miles. For example, walleye spawn over more than 60 miles on the Black and Current rivers. Concerns about the vulnerability of concentrated spawning walleye on these rivers are minimal. Illegal harvest of walleye on riffles by dip-netting, snagging, gigging, or grabbing is a concern regardless of legal harvest regulations. However, the distance over which spawning activity occurs and the brief window of vulnerability for female walleye limits the potential impact to the population level. Additionally, most walleye fisheries in Missouri reservoirs are put-grow-take and supported through regular stockings. Based on several MDC studies, natural reproduction contributes very little to populations.
Summary
This proposed regulation change should increase angling opportunities, simplify regulations, and help prevent unintended code violations. While this change could result in increased walleye harvest, managers believe this increase would be minimal and can be countered by appropriate management actions. Biologists will continue to monitor walleye populations and, if necessary, expand stocking efforts to support popular fisheries.