The experimental limit allows anglers to keep small fish to eat, along with one large trophy. No Easy Sell. Such a walleye regulation is no easy sell. Anglers don't mind releasing feisty bass and muskies, because these species are caught for the fight. But walleyes, wet rags on a fishing line, are traditionally pursued to produce fillets.
Many anglers see no sense in catching walleyes just for fun.
Yet in 1986, at the suggestion of the local DNR fisheries crew, the sportfishing club began promoting voluntary catch and release as a way to improve flagging fish stocks. At first most anglers balked. Then in 1988 the club began offering a free fishing cap to anyone who released one or more fish in the slot limit. Catch and release caught on. In 1997 we gave out 2,800.