Posts tagged Fox River

Boats are packed on the Fox River, in Downtown Depere, hoping to catch a fish they can't keep.

Today, we wanted to check out the much anticipated walleye run in the Fox River. In Wisconsin, this great run is the perfect chance to catch the walleye of a lifetime. The massive movement of walleyes to spawning grounds, on the Fox, is a big time event up North. The walleyes attempt to run all the way up the river, before their progress is halted by a dam at a ComEd plant. There, fisherman await these fish, especially the large females. The limits are pretty strict, as you are only allowed to take one fish, over 30 inches, per day. Most people do not keep them, however, as the Fox contains high levels of PCB’s making the walleye a risk to eat.

When we decided to make the trip, we had no idea what we were in for. The number of boats and people, to catch a walleye that you could not eat, was a sight to be seen. It was shoulder to shoulder both in the boats and on the shore.

The day was beautiful. The river was at a normal level with a slight current. We managed to find an open area on shore spot near a slight eddy. Our jigs drifted in the opposite direction of the river flow. We worked that area for a few hours. I had a few, very light taps, with no fish to show. In fact, we only saw a few shore walleyes caught, and they were all at the same spot, a known deep hole to the locals. As soon as one guy left that spot, it was almost a brawl to squeeze another guy in there.

The boats, however, did very well. We saw many big walleyes caught. A few well over 30 inches in length. Some boats, were pulling them in one after the other. Next year, I am definately bringing my boat to join in on the action. The river was very crowded, but it seemed that everyone was able to get along. Who wouldn’t catching all those eyes.

It is shoulder to shoulder down the river. People hoping to get a wall-hanging female.

Fish Totals:
0 Fish