Fishing Report
Jan 23, 2012
That’s right, after 17 years as a fishing guide I’m know a fishing outfitter having taken the test last year. Having received the Outfitter License, I will be able to better serve you on your fishing trips. Compare my website to the others guides and outfitters fishing Fort Peck Reservoir. On comparison you will find that I’m the only guide or outfitter that offers a guarantee, I fish with the clients more hours per day, and I provide lunches which few of the other guides and outfitters provide. Check the others and you will find that I’m the most economical for a two person trip. Thank you for your time and business.
Bernie
2011 Fishing Results
The following are my fishing results for walleye in 2011, 2010, 2009, 2008, 2007, 2006, 2005, 2004, 2003, 2002 listed for comparison.
|
Year |
2011 |
2010 |
2009 |
2008 |
2007 |
2006 |
2005 |
2004 |
2003 |
2002 |
|
Number of fish > 1 pound | 48 | 366 | 298 | 239 | 198 | 95 | 124 | 104 | 143 | 110 |
|
Number of fish < 1 pound | 253 | 413 | 204 | 222 | 170 | 91 | | | | |
|
Total in pounds | 541 | 688 | 595 | 545 | 635 | 443 | 427 | 523 | 573 | 454 |
|
Average in pounds |
2.14 | 2.00 | 2.20 | 3.21 | 4.66 | 3.44 | 5.03 | 4.01 | 4.13 |
|
Hours |
509 | 380 | 411 | 410 | 375 | 377 | 409 | 373 | 416 |
|
Fish/hour |
.50 | .78 | .58 | .48 | .25 | .33 | .25 | .38 | .26 |
|
10-pound-plus |
4 | 6 | 9 | 18 | 15 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 8 |
Several thing come to light for the fishing year of 2011. The number of walleyes
under 1 pound dropped a lot while the number of walleyes over one pound was
the third highest over the years. The total pounds is the third highest and average
weight increased over the last couple of years but is still lower than the early
years. The effort which is walleye per hour decreased over the last three years
and the number of ten pound plus walleyes also decreased.
So what does this all mean? I don’t know why the numbers of walleyes under one
pound fell so much of the pass years but suspect these fish are being displaced
by the northern pike. The number of walleyes over one pound is still relatively
high compared to all the other years. The biggest thing that determines the
number and size of walleyes is how you fish. Vertical jigging is the slow method
while pitching jigs and pulling bottom bouncers are both intermediate in speed
and trolling crankbaits is the fastest. All this translates into the more ground you
cover the better chance of finding biting fish.
The reduction of fish per hour is related to a lot more days spent fishing for northern pike and this reduces the
effort expressed in walleye per hour. The type of fishing pitching jigs versus
trolling crankbaits is a big reason for the low number of walleyes over 10 pounds.
