The Fox River’s one-fish, 28-inch minimum size limit during the annual spring walleye spawning run protects most of the fish from human predation.
However, there are still hundreds of pelicans during the peak of the spawn that feast daily on the ‘eyes.
More anglers are noticing, and speaking up. While there’s currently nothing that can be done about the winged predators, some concerned fishermen are hoping to see more regulations to protect spawners on west shore tributaries like the Oconto and Peshtigo rivers.
Not only are spring ‘eyes extremely vulnerable in the shallows below dams, wading anglers can easily crush fertilized eggs on the river bed.
Those opposed to a closure say it’s the only time of year they have a good shot at the tasty predators, compared to those with boats who can target them spring through fall.
There’s also pelicans and cormorants. These opportunistic feeders prey on all sorts of fish, including spawning walleyes and yellow perch. What should be done about them?
We could see some resolutions at the spring fish and wildlife hearings seeking more protection for walleyes, such as more closed areas or reduced bag limits. In the meantime, what do you think needs to be done, if anything, to protect spawning ‘eyes? Send an email with your thoughts to gofishwisconsin@gmail.com.
It’s not spring on the calendar for more than a week yet, but the big thaw last weekend — culminating with highs in the 60s Monday — sure made it feel like it.
West shore tributaries are sending their ice cover downstream, while Green Bay itself is a mix of floating, compromised sheets of ice and open water. Strong winds are piling ice high along the shores, and will continue to do so until it’s all melted.
The yellow perch season on the bay closes at the end of the day March 15, but for all practical purposes, it’s over. No ice should be considered safe for even cautious walk-on action at this point, and strong currents make it tough to try to fish for perch in any open water.
No doubt increased flows have attracted all sorts of spring spawners in the tributaries, including some early walleyes and rainbow trout. All the major rivers are open for fishing, but smaller creeks and ditches are closed to protect spawning pike, walleyes and other fish.
Last year’s fishing licenses are still good all month. New ones are needed April 1.
More than 100,000 leftover spring wild turkey permits go on sale next week, including more than 33,000 in Zone 3, 17,500 in Zone 2 and just over 3,000 in Zone 5. Zone 2 leftovers will go on sale at 10 a.m. March 17, Zone 3 March 18 and Zone 5 extras on March 20.
All area hunters who applied by the Dec. 10 deadline and checked all the boxes — including the third option to take a tag in any available week — should have received a tag. These are additional, bonus authorizations and cost $10 for residents and $15 for nonresidents.
You must have purchased a license allowing spring turkey hunting and a wild turkey stamp before getting a bonus permit. The regular turkey license is $15 for Wisconsin residents and $65 for nonresidents. The 2026 wild turkey stamp is $5.25. Conservation Patron license buyers have those included.
The Cornell Lab of Ornithology, in partnership with two universities and numerous other partners, offers a free BirdCast Migration Dashboard that provides radar-based measurements of nocturnal bird migration.
The fascinating data includes estimates of the number of birds migrating, their directions, speeds and altitudes. You can view nightly data by county and state, and see color-coded maps of the U.S. forecasting the predicted hot spots. Start exploring at https://dashboard.birdcast.org/.
Lake Michigan water levels are up an inch from early February, three inches lower than last year at this time, and are a foot below the long-term March average. Lake levels have dropped about four feet since the all-time monthly high set in 2020, and are about 17 inches above the record low in 1964.
To celebrate America’s 250th birthday, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is highlighting seven species of wildlife each week. Check out this week’s choices at https://www.fws.gov/story/2026-03/our-nations-nature-2.
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