Cumberland walleye

[birdstrike]

Most of the northern states also protect walleye from fishermen during the spawn. I think that's an important step to take if you really want a world class walleye fishery.

[fishincreek]

Most northern fishermen do the ice fishing thing, so probably not much of a demand. Most of those fellas are also meat fishermen and they catch all they need around home. As a matter of fact, they probably have more fun at home. The boys up north have real FUN fishing, esp during the winter. It is a social event. They keep what they catch and they share the where- and- how. The more the merrier. No competition. Some have those Aqua-Vu cameras and they actually WATCH their own fish bite. The bite is stable and basically the same every year. The fish relate to structure , the lakes shallower and not so much shad dependent. Totally different down here. Take the Big C for an example. Normally in July the lake slowly gets pulled, all the way to winter pool. Big rain- up goes the lake, changing conditions. Our fish follow the food, which now seems to be those deep water loving alewives, and we as a whole aren't the best deep water fishermen, and they also are just as happy in open water, which further frustrates us. I really suspect, if anyone is serious about finding winter walleye, they would want to begin in learning what the alewives do during the winter and go from there. Also of note, you may want to google "winter walleyes" and read some of the articles. Seems from some of the tracking studies, that wintertime walleyes can be tough enough to pattern on those shallower rivers and northen lakes, let alone fish that feed on deep open-water bait.

[birdstrike]

Good Post Fishincreek.

Also with the rebound of the Great Lakes and the number of trophy fish being caught up there, I can't see anyone coming down here to grab a walleye or two. Now if we were catching 20# fish in the Big C, that might change things a bit.

[Mr. Crappie]

I'm new to site, been looking for awhile....nice place to be!
Some of us live in winter hell zones. (southern Ohio)
Lakes are covered in ice, but not safe enough to fish. Easier to come south with a boat than to go north with out shanties, augers, ice creepers and all the specialized goodies, lures, rods ect. I do go north for a trip or two, but changing locations, even a few feet, is not as easy as touching the button on a trolling motor. I haven't been to Cumberland in about 20 years, but do head to Weiss every Feb. or Mar.
I have a friend whose parents live in Somerset, so one of these years we're gonna get there.