The Green Bay tributaries, including the Fox, Oconto, Peshtigo, and Menominee Rivers, are home to a fascinating experiment in conservation. For a second consecutive year, the Fond Du Lac-based organization, Walleyes for Tomorrow, along with the state Department of Natural Resources, has been rewarding fish enthusiasts with a chance to catch a red-tagged walleye. This innovative program aims to determine the exploitation rate of walleye in the region and use that information to help manage the fish population.
- Over 5,000 walleye will wear a floy tag while swimming in the Fox, Oconto, Peshtigo, and Menominee Rivers this spring.
- The spaghetti-like tags contain a numeric code and contact information for the DNR.
- The program has attracted the attention of anglers who are eager to contribute to research on overfishing in Green Bay.
According to Mike Arrowood, Chairman of Walleyes for Tomorrow, the exploitation rate of walleye in Green Bay is not well understood. “No one really knows the exploitation [overfishing] rate in Green Bay,” he said in an interview with Wisconsin Public Radio’s “Wisconsin Today.” Arrowood emphasized that the $100 reward tag is a significant incentive for anglers to participate in the program and report their catches. “If they catch a yellow- and red-tagged walleye, it’s essential to write down the date, location, serial number, species, and whether it was released,” Arrowood advised. If kept, under DNR fish regulations, the tag should be removed and mailed to the state agency. Walleyes for Tomorrow has been involved in similar conservation efforts since the 1980s, with a focus on supporting fish habitat and water quality projects. The organization has over 2,000 members and has been working tirelessly to protect and preserve the Green Bay ecosystem.
| Program Details | Key Information |
| Floy Tags | Spaghetti-like tags containing a numeric code and contact information for the DNR. |
| Angler Incentives | $100 reward tag for catching a red-tagged walleye. |
Arrowood highlighted the importance of the tagging program, stating that it will help the DNR to better understand the exploitation rate of walleye in the region. “We found over the years that people are remiss when it comes to turning in tag numbers to the DNR,” he said. “We hope that the $100 reward tag is a good incentive to encourage anglers to participate and report their catches.”
Walleyes for Tomorrow has also been working to support the DNR’s research efforts, including the use of sonic tags on walleye in Lake Winnebago. These tags, also known as radio transmitting devices, allow researchers to track the spring spawning movements of the fish.
“Panfish, like bass, bluegill, and crappies are becoming more prevalent because of the warmer water conditions,” said Arrowood. “It’s going to be an issue going forward as to how these fish are regulated.”
Arrowood emphasized the importance of preserving spawning habitats for a healthy walleye population. He stated that understanding changes in a watershed is key to knowing how to manage a fish population. The organization has been involved in efforts to monitor fish populations in the Fox River and the Wolf River, including tracking the movements of sturgeon through radio transmitters. “They need to be stocked to maintain the walleye population,” said Arrowood. “We don’t know what’s going to happen in the next 20 years.”
The success of the tagging program will depend on the participation of anglers and the reporting of their catches. Arrowood hopes that Wisconsin lakes will maintain their reputation as an ideal place for fish spawning and angling. He emphasized the importance of conservation efforts to protect the walleye population and ensure a sustainable fishery for future generations.