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WALLEYES
FOREVER E-NEWSLETTER No. 7: 2-20-07
Mike Hepper and the new Washington state record walleye. Washington angler reels in
record-breaking walleye Washington Department of Fish and
Wildlife OLYMPIA – Mike Hepper, a veteran angler from Richland, has set a new
state record for the largest walleye caught in state waters, the Washington
Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) has confirmed. Hepper, 64, caught the 19.3-pound
walleye Feb. 5 on the Columbia River above McNary
Dam, and had its weight certified that day at a meat market in Pasco. The fish was 33.7 inches
long, with a girth of 22.24 inches, said Paul Hoffarth,
a WDFW fish biologist who verified the catch. The state’s previous record was
an 18.9-pound walleye caught downriver in the John Day Pool in 2002. “The mid-Columbia River
is widely recognized as one of the best places in the nation to catch
walleye,” said Keith Underwood, WDFW gamefish
records coordinator. “Mr. Hepper was clearly in the
right place at the right time to catch a trophy fish.” Hepper, a retired high school teacher,
said he has been fishing most of his life, specializing in walleye fishing
for nearly four decades. He caught his 19.3-pounder on a spinner-and-worm
combination. “It’s great to get the
record, but I know there’s a bigger one out there,” he said. Arkansas holds the record
for the largest walleye, a 22-pound, 9 oz. fish caught in 1982. Washington’s
new record-size walleye ranks sixth in the nation compared to those in other
states. _________________ Wyoming eyes minnow
regulation changes Wyoming Game and Fish CHEYENNE
- The Wyoming Game and Fish Department is hosting scoping meetings across the
state discussing recommendations for the 2008-09 fishing and baitfish
regulations. This
scoping process is in addition to the regular regulation setting process
which follows in May. "We want to give anglers an extra chance to be
informed about what is being proposed and really want to know their opinions
on the proposals," said Dirk Miller, fisheries management coordinator. According
to Casper Fisheries Supervisor Al Conder, several
recommended changes will be very different from current regulations. "We
are looking at different creel limits on the various trout species. For
example, brook trout would have their own category with a separate creel
limit from other trout species. Another big issue is separating out rivers
and streams from lakes and reservoirs regarding creel limits," Conder said. "We
will also discuss the possibility of a possession limit being double the
creel limit in some fish categories and some waters," he said. Conder also noted that
the bait minnow regulation currently restricts the importation of minnows
into Wyoming. "One recommendation will be to allow the importation of
minnows that can be certified for importation so that we can increase the
availability of them to anglers through licensed dealers," he said. However,
another recommendation will eliminate individuals who have a personal seining
permit to transfer minnows to friends. "Anglers will either have to
purchase minnows from a licensed dealer or purchase a personal seining
permit," Conder said. He
added fisheries managers are also interested in relaxing equipment
restrictions placed on commercial dealers to make it easier for them to
collect minnows and thereby increasing the supply of minnows for anglers. _________________ Walleyes Forever ice
fishing clinic a success Walleyes
Forever will held its first annual “Hole Truth About Ice Fishing Clinic” on
Saturday, Feb. 10, at Lake Elmo State Park in Billings. The clinic attracted more than 70 people. Montana
Fish, Wildlife and Parks game warden Kevin Holland talked to the group about
ice safety awareness. Then the group
broke up to try their hand at ice fishing and visit with Walleyes Forever
members about tips and tactics. FWP
removed all fishing license requirements for Lake Elmo during the hours of
the clinic. Hot coffee, hot chocolate
and cookies were served. Each
youngster at the clinic went home with a free rod and reel and tackle box. Special
thanks to FWP’s Kevin Holland, Dave Hagengruber and Jenny Pelej for
their support and helping WF make it all happen. _________________ Walleyes Forever Banquet
set for March 31 at Elks Walleyes
Forever’s first annual banquet will be held Saturday, Mar. 31, at the Elks
Club in Billings, with seating planned for 400 and plenty of prizes including
a three-day, four-night fishing trip to Last Mountain Lake in Saskatchewan. Tickets
are currently on sale from WF members for $20 for adults and $10 for children
aged 4-11. Youngsters 3-under eat for
free. The banquet will begin with
no-host cocktails at 5 p.m. Dinner
will begin at 6 p.m. The meal is an
all-you-can-eat walleye dinner. For
tickets, contact a Walleyes Forever member or Treasurer Linda Granholm at 652-2605.
Buy your tickets now, before they’re sold out. _________________ 2007 Montana hunting, fishing licenses on sale Montana Fish, Wildlife and Parks Beginning Feb. 20, Montana's new 2007 hunting and
fishing licenses will be available. But hold it—if you are an early bird and
get your new license now, don't forget to hang onto your 2006 license until
March 1. March 1 is when your new 2007 license goes into effect. Montana's 2006
hunting and fishing licenses expire Feb. 28. ________________ FWP extends East Fork bass comment
period Montana Fish,
Wildlife and Parks _________________ Oregon promotes easy angling opportunities Oregon Department of Fish and
Wildlife Salem, Ore. — The Oregon
Department of Fish and Wildlife has published “Easy Angling Oregon” as part
of its Angler Education Program which offers a combination of literature,
events and hands-on fishing advice. “Fishing is a great
family activity but many people just don’t know how to get started,” said
Rhine Messemer, ODFW recreational fisheries program
manager. “Our new Easy Angling Oregon publication helps families plan their
first trips by giving them information about lakes and rivers that are good
for beginning and intermediate anglers.” The free 60-page Easy
Angling Oregon booklet features detailed information on 34 lakes, ponds,
rivers and reservoirs around the state that have been selected by ODFW
biologists as ideal for families. The locations are all accessible by car,
offer good fishing opportunities and have facilities such as picnic tables,
toilets, boat ramps, drinking water and hiking trails. A number of sites
provide ADA access. _________________ Some recent scams from Online boat classifieds www.BoatUS.com BoatU.S. Classified users have recently
received e-mails that appear to be scams. For example:
_________________ 2007 Montana fishing banquet dates March 31: Walleyes Forever Banquet, Elks Club,
Billings, contact Linda Granholm at 652-2605 for ticket info. February 24: Montana PikeMasters Banquet, Elks Club, Billings,
contact Joe Stenglein
for ticket info. February 24: Upper Yellowstone WU Chapter Banquet, Park County
Fairgrounds, Livingston, contact Darren Raney for ticket info. Feb.
24:
Great Falls WU Chapter Banquet, Great Falls Convention Center, Call John
Miller at 965-2259 for ticket info. March 10: Gallatin/Madison WU Chapter Banquet, MSU SUB Ballroom, Bozeman,
contact Sherry Hoekema
at 586-7425 or Marvin Hansen at 388-9780 for
ticket info. To add your fishing banquet date
to the list, just e-mail us at walleyes@walleyesforever.com _________________
Ole’s car accident
The Walleyes Forever E-Newsletter is issued periodically and
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