Lake Scugog Walleye fishing

[walleyehunter]

We fished Lake Scugog last winter trying to catch walleye. Nothing! Not a single walleye. Did anyone catch a walleye in the past few years on Scugog? If yes how many? Saw a pic of a beauty on another post but that's it.

[nocod]

they are there just not like the olds days,I do remember the guy who fell in and got the bill for his rescue

[fisherboy]

I only got 1 last year I think it's the beauty your referring to but the walleye fishery has been slow for the last couple years

[SlabHappy]

Always get them from the boat. Its a whole other story through the ice. I have tried with very limited success. Loads of crappie thought.

[Grasshopper]

Last year, I caught only one walleye but the only problem I had was it was caught out of season. I had to release it but not before I took a picture of it.

[FISHER_DAVE]

had some great days on scugog in 2011and 2012 but haven't been back amazing wallies and slabs will be there this year got transportation

[bassassasian101]

Hey guys!

Thought I would chime in. As a graduate fish and wildlife technician I can tell you from experience gathered at school that the population of walleye in scugog is at a historical low.

It isn't your fishing skill, do not feel bad there are still stories of people catching there limit out there on the ice. But that is pure coincidence. Just in an optimal spot the moment a pack of walleye pass through.

The population of walleye in scugog in the mid 1970's was estimated at 50'000.
By 2012 the population was estimated at under 10'000 walleye. Coming into 2015 an estimated population size 5000 walleye with an estimated 2000 harvested each ice fishing season. It is not looking good. With this and the introduction of zebra mussels clearing the water visibility. With the rise of crappie populations there is also a direct attack on walleye spawn. A known crappie delicacy.

In conclusion the walleye population is dwindling and it is amazing to hear the MNR claim they do not believe the walleye will become extinct in the lake. With that being said long ago were the days when going to scugog guaranteed a walleye dinner. But at least they are still caught on a hook and line. In ten years from now catching a walleye on the lake will have the equivalent of spotting the elusive Ogopogo.

We need to close scugog to walleye for at least three years although, the chances of that happening is slim despite locals obvious voices of concern. I think as a online community we should have the moral initiative to control our harvests. I always practice catch and release of walleye and if I decide to keep fish I only take one. I would encourage you to do the same. As inconvenient as it may be each fish counts.

bassassasian101

[bassassasian101]

oh.. i forget to mention last year that I had not caught a walleye on the ice two was caught and release in the open water season one over 5 pounds. As for ice fishing one night last year one hit my buddies line so gently and robbed him of his minnow at about 8 pm. Then a minute later, my rod started bumping and then bam! my rod bent. I set the hook and fought it to the top of the hole where as I was lifting its head to get it up the hole it snapped back downward and broke the line.

I was furious, I wanted a picture so bad! It was my fault as I opted to go with 2lb test line as it is rare for a walleye and we usually just catch perch and crappie. Needless to say this year. I already re-stringed my line with 6lb ice test lol J.I.C!

[fisherboy]

Very well said bassasins, our motto this year on scugog should be keep a crappie release a walleye

[bassassasian101]

It's a shame we both know it's most likely going to be the other way around.. everyone knows theres a problem and wants something done about it but it seems as though no one is willing to make a sacrifice to better a cause. That is why the world is the way it is now a days.

[Mjack7]

Hey. Here's an idea. Why doesn't the mnr actually stock a warm water species in our dam lakes . Lake Ontario lake trout are so useful As a license issuer it makes me sick the amount of $$$ we collect and the province collects from fishing and hunting license sales. Name any stocking of value in this province. It's an embarrassment.

[fisherkyle19]

I couldn't agree more with you bassassin. I'm just a short drive from scugog and fish there quite often. The walleye population is severly depleated. I caught three this open water season. Two at 19" and one at 24.5" . I released all three (personal choice for the 19"ers) based on my knowledge that the population is low. I think they should close walleye for a minimum of 3 years if not 5. Seems like alot and maybe inconvienent but with the rest of the kawarthas being so close and readily available with healthier populations its a no brainer to me.

[Ptboguy]

I agree they should shut walleye down but you and I both know it won't happen or work cause you still get mr pea brain angler who will keep illegal no mater what .
It is sad to see if I catch a walleye on gog a quick pic and they all go back
Perhaps we can try to have some more crappie tournaments and events it is all about educating the angler a lot of people may not know the condition of the walleye in the lake and assume go and keep
There are so many lakes that hold walleye and can handle keeping a few close by but ppl don't like to travel far from home or try new areas

[hammerincameron]

I'm not sure over fishing is the problem on scugog. I've heard that they are not reproducing. All the fish reports seem to be larger fish and a creel survey found a whole year class of fish to be absent. However catch and release will help to save the remaining fish. 5 000 fish doesn't sound like there are very many left especially considering the size of the bog.

[bassassasian101]

We need to have a season long catch and release tournament. Where walleye caught on scugog are put next to a daily newspaper and a second of the fishes release the person with the most catch and release photos that year takes the pot of cash. Only works if everyone pitches.

They are spawning that's not the issue the rise of crappie are feeding on the young fry and eggs. Here's an idea go keep your limit of crappie until the population curbs.

Now the reason why they are not stocking walleye is for two reasons first walleye isn't a native species to lake scugog. Secondly, spawning and raising walleye in aquaculture is extremely difficult and expensive. They consume a lot of food for rapid growth at the beginning of they're lives. They also eat each other so many tanks would have to be used to sort sizes. Also in order to have a successful release and survival they would have to mimic they're feeding structure those minnows get pretty expensive. Its complicated trout are a more forgiving fish for stocking.