Perch Spearing South Milwaukee Saturday?

[livebaitboy]

Just wondering if anyone would be interested in spearing some hog perch inside the breakwall at South Shore Yacht Club. We went today about a half mile from the marina and easily limited on 13-15 inchers. Of course the limit is only 5 but with that size it's still a nice catch.

I'm thinking meeting at the marina at noon. I have a boat, all I ask is you split the launch fee with me. Shoot me a PM by 11:00 Saturday if you are interested!

Matt

 

[livebaitboy]

Update: I'm actually going at 10:00 and my brother in law is going with. If anyone is still interested let me know by 9 am Sat. Otherwise there will be lots of other opportunities this summer.

 

[Whopperhead]

Matt - I am interested in going (obviously not Sat. seeing how it's Sunday) but if you plan on going again- let me know- I'll pay for the dock fee - but I'm definately interested-----

---------Scott

 

[bgill]

Me too...Man...I GOTTA get a wetsuit SOON!!! :mute

 

[unirdna]

Hi guys,

Just wanted to offer you a heads-up. We went round and round on the topic of spearing in L. Michigan waters. While I think it's perfectly reasonable for the smattering of Wisconsin spearos to take 5 perch from L. Michigan, the DNR may not. Here is the exact language from the Wisconsin DNR Netting/Spearing regulations re: Outlying/Boudary waters between Wisconsin and Michigan (page 3, 4th paragraph):

"Outlying Waters: It is unlawful to spear any species or variety
of fish in the outlying waters at any time, except that rough fish
may be speared from sunrise to sunset in all outlying waters,
and may be taken with spear guns by the methods known as
skin and scuba diving by divers in Lake Michigan. Northern
pike may be speared through the ice in Lake Superior."

This would translate that "panfish" are not legal to take with spearguns. "Outlying Waters" does not mean deep water, out in the middle of the lake. It means all waters associated with L. Michigan including tributaries. The place you've described certainly fits the definition.

I'll not tell you to stop spearing this place. Chances are you could do it your whole life, and never have an issue. But, if you piss off the wrong local jerk, and he calls the warden, you may not like the result. The warden will be forced to interpret the law, and despite your ecological means of hunting, you would be in the wrong, and could lose your gear and be fined. Now, I say "could". Most wardens I know would simply check you for a license, set you strait, and let you off with a warning. But, I don't know any wardens from Milwaukee.

Just thought you'd like as much info as possible.

Happy spearing, boys.

Ted

PS. Livebaitboy, who the heck are you? - wildlife biologist from Mad town? I'm a biologist at the UW. Drop me a PM.

 

[livebaitboy]

Yah, I saw that too. My friend used to work for DNR and asked a warden, and that warden said you could. If you read earlier, it says that

"Underwater Spear Fishing:
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It is lawful to take the following fish species with the use of spears and spear guns by skin and scuba diving in all waters where spearing for
rough fish is permitted from sunrise to sunset during the
listed spearing seasons: white bass, yellow bass (striped),
rock bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, pumpkinseed (sunfish)."

That seems to indicate that it is legal. I think basically what they are doing is lumping panfish and rough fish into the same category. And like I said we have talked with wardens and they say it is legal. Certainly not clear in the regulations though!

Matt ​

 

[bglaeser]

Speaking of spearfishing for perch in Lake Michigan, I was spearing the other day and shot a 12 incher. There were only a few perch around that day. Then I saw a GIANT perch. If the one I shot was 12 inches (I measured it when I got home) ... the one I saw must have been 16, 17, or 18 or maybe bigger???? inches. (Definately more than 16 inches)

I had a shot for about a second or so... but it wasn't the best shot... and the thought went through my head......... "This is the biggest perch I've ever seen!!! Could it actually be a walleye instead?" It had broad vertical stripes like a perch. It did not have a glassy eye. It did not have a white tip on the tail fin. Any chance that this was a walleye, or was it just the largest perch I've ever seen? Seriously... it was much bigger than the 13 1/2 incher I shot last year.

~Brian

 

[unirdna]

Sauger?

Matt,
If you got the info direct from the Warden's mouth, that's good enough for me. And in that case......I gotta see these perch .

 

[Pinggene]

I'm in for perch sometime in the future, but it won't be for a couple of weeks. Too bad the regulations can't be clearer on this subject.

Gene

 

[bgill]

The Wisconsin 2007 Spearing & Netting regulations clearly state that I CAN spear the following species IN LAKE MICHIGAN - Here....

It is lawful to take the following fish species with the use of spears and spear guns by skin and scuba diving in all waters where spearing for
rough fish is permitted from sunrise to sunset during the
listed spearing seasons: white bass, yellow bass (striped),
rock bass, crappie, bluegill, perch, pumpkinseed (sunfish)."


KEY WORDS: In all waters where spearing for rough fish is permitted. Like Unirdna said.


Usually lakes with a no spearing reg. such as Wisconsin's Devils Lake are exactly that...NO SPEARING...Not even for rough fish.

 

[Jon]

It would be really nice if we could get an actual game warden, with a badge number , to confirm this for us once and for all. There are plenty of monster sized perch in there and I would love to shoot some myself- but will refrain for now.

I've never had any issues with the DNR out on the lake, but I do know of some wreck divers who HAVE- and it wasn't pretty.:rcard All it takes is one disgruntled old dive buddy, or fisherman, to turn you in and you'll find the DNR waiting at the dock for you- they don't need to go out on the lake as they can just wait by your trailer where you parked and search your boat when you come back.

The divers that I know, or have heard of, who have met this fate always end up in court and the out of pocket costs can run up into the tens of thousands of dollars- even for the ones who WIN! You better be VERY certain of the law as they can take not only your speargun, but your boat and the car/trailer you brought the boat to the launch with. The DNR is also looking to make examples out of people when it comes to this stuff so don't be the one who gets caught! Last year the Coast Guard fined a jet-skier $32,000 for crossing into restricted water space during the air show off of Milwaukee. They were very proud of this fact and were only to happy to make an example out of this guy.

After talking to my father-in-law, who works as the back up captain on the research vessel Neeskay, he told me that they are watching the perch populations very carefully right now. He said that he was quite certain that it is NOT legal to spearfish for perch in Lake Michigan. He will be out with the DNR and CGLS scientists sometime in the next two weeks and will confirm this for me.

If you are interested in perch, they have been schooling at about 25' above the shipwrecks of the Prinz Willem V and the Dredge #6 for the past week. IF you check through some of my old threads on here you'll find the GPS numbers for these wrecks posted there.

Jon

 

[livebaitboy]

Just talked with my friend. He used to work with the DNR, as did I, down in Milwaukee. He said he spoke with a warden who he could not remember the name of (lol of course). However, he said that the person who told him about spearing perch in the lake was Brad Eggold, who is the Lake Michigan Fisheries Team Supervisor. Brad used to spear it all the time.

So until I hear otherwise, it's spears away! If anyone wants to contact Brad they can look up his information on the WDNR web page. The wardens down there should be able to answer that as well. I certainly don't want to be made an example of, but I am certain we are legal here. I understand if others wish to hold off until they recieve confirmation.

 

[bglaeser]

I would also say that when discussing this matter with the authorities it is very important to stipulate UNDERWATER spearfishing as apposed to spearing with a spear or bow & arrow. Also, be certain to be talking to an actual warden... not an "office person" because as we noted, the wording of the regulations is confusing. If you decide you need to speak to someone, make sure it is an actual warden.
~Brian

ps. I also carry the regs with me in a bag and also a letter (email) from a warden concerning the subject in case anyone asks. So far no one has asked.

 

[bglaeser]

unirdna....

Possibly a sauger... but this one's stripes were more "perchy". As I look at the two pictures I think it was a giant perch. I'm glad I didn't shoot though. It wasn't a great shot and I'd hate to wound such a trophy. .... I'll be back


~Brian

 

[land shark]

Lets talk about ethics here. The perch populations have been low for a long time on the big pond from what I understand. The fisherman have have sanctioned reduced bags in hopes this may help with the return. I know fisherman that have returned thier perch in hopes of promoting the same kind of behavior amongst other anglers to hasten the chances and foster stewardship of the resources. Why not just go down there and rub some salt in those open sores and shoot every big ass breeder we can find and rub it in. Im sure that when you want to spear in the future these guys will remember you at the hearings and make sure you have nothing to shoot at. Remeber this is the biggest lobby in the state go ahead and stand by your rights they wont be around for long.

 

[unirdna]

The fisherman have have sanctioned reduced bags in hopes this may help with the return... Why not just go down there and rub some salt in those open sores and shoot every big ass breeder we can find and rub it in.

Regulations are put in place by fisheries biologists. The 5 perch bag limit applies to all fisherman. Do you suppose the hook-n-liners are all in agreement - are they keeping NO perch? If so, why lobby for a bag limit - why not just "let" the DNR enforce a no-perch rule? It is because the fisherman want to keep fishing. The very lobby you speak of.

So, why should we tip-toe around like 2nd class sportsman. I paid for my license, and I'll be damned if anyone besides DNR is going to regulate me. They did the research. They know what they are doing. I'll not be strong-armed by a fishing society that created the problem in the first place.

 

[bglaeser]

Perch spearing in Lake Michigan is very “condition dependant” just like hook and line perching in the lake. Sometimes they are “in” and sometimes they are not. Shooting big perch (at least in the area I’m in) is quite a challenge. The big ones *tend* to be easily spooked and very wary. Of course there are exceptions… just like with hook and line. Sometimes you catch them “sleeping” and can get in very close… but you are never sure. If you could stay at the bottom for 60 – 90 seconds I think you’d be able to do better… but after a dive or two I find it difficult to stay down long. Perch spearing in Lake Michigan (at least for me) is very different than in small lakes. I’ve found Jon’s (or unidrna’s) technique of diving away from the fish and then swimming inches above the rocks to “surprise” them to at times be effective. Sometimes its not. Coming down on top of them almost never is.

A few days ago I was in the water for 2 hours and only bagged 2 fish (12 inchers). But I had a ton of fun. Other times they come easy. Just like hook and line.

Now maybe on the wrecks or in Milwaukee it is different. All I know is that the hook and liners got nothing to worry about from me.

I’m sure sooner or later I’ll run into a hot-head who gets mad at me for spearfishing. But so far all my encounters with hook & liners have been positive. They have thanked me for the info I’ve provided them.

~Brian

 

[land shark]

Regulations are put in place by fisheries biologists.

right... like the 25 fish panfishlimit?? show the the scientific bassis for that one. pure social economics.

all Im saying is just remember your in the public eye out there and here on this forum. most spearfisherman I have met over the years are very descrete about their actions. Blieve me when I tell you most fisherman dont see it as a sport we are often compared to the native american spearing situation. the more they see of us the more the topic of disscussion we bcome.

 

[bgill]

So, why should we tip-toe around like 2nd class sportsman. I paid for my license, and I'll be damned if anyone besides DNR is going to regulate me. They did the research. They know what they are doing. I'll not be strong-armed by a fishing society that created the problem in the first place.

Well said Unirdna...:crutch

 

[Jon]

I just need to echo what Landshark said, and that is that anglers are some of the most unsympathetic people I have ever met when it comes to divers and wouldn't waste a second turning any of us in for something legal- let alone illegal.:head

I have had many, many run-in's with them over the years just teaching scuba classes, let alone spearfishing, and they are a pain in the a$$. I can't tell you how much pollution they generate and how they think nothing of dumping beer cans, bait containers and , worst of all, car batteries from their dip nets into the lakes- and then blame divers for ruining the fishing!!! Get in the way of a drunk one and things really go down hill. I've watched them in action arguing among st themselves and have almost been run over by more than a few who view what we are doing as somehow "cheating". As a result I now videotape the registration numbers of all boats that get close to me- in case my widow needs to sue somebody.:martial This is where it really is fun to have a bunch of cops in your scuba class to take care of any "complaints" or "threats".

If, it turns out, that spearing perch in Lake Michigan IS legal I will happily join you as they are some of my favorite fish to eat.:inlove I need more feedback from someone with a badge who is willing to go on record before I give it a try.

As far as us doing any harm to the perch population I find that to be pure fiction. One commercial fisherman takes in more perch in one net than all of us on here will in a decade. The big problem they had in Lake Michigan about years ago was with three commercial perch fisherman who "each" took the entire limit for the lake on their own!:head That's the kind of stuff, along with pollution, that wipes out a perch population- and not a few spearos working on their skills.

I'll post what find out, but it will take a couple of weeks.

Jon