We live in a world that does not always seem fair. The poor walleyes are struggling to spawn in a trickle of a river while being attacked overhead by bald eagles. Therocky shorelines of the Seagull River are littered with the remains of “would be spawning” walleyes, and painted with eagle droppings.
It is easy to take for granted how easy we really have it. Every animal has a daily ritual of hunting for survival while being hunted itself. The walleye is a streamlined predator with its torpedo-shaped body and jagged teeth, yet it is also prey even in its adult life. The low water has made it very easy for the eagles to pick them off at their most vulnerable time. They are so lethargic during the spawn that they will actually allow you to physically pick them up out of the water, or so I have heard.
My friend, Curtis Blake, saw what was left of a very large walleye lying on the shore of the Sea Gull River with the back third of its body torn off. Many other people have reported seeing the same thing. It is sad to know that millions of eggs have been wasted to the appetite of an eagle, but so is life.
The eagles have to eat as well; I just wish it were somewhere else. Maybe protecting that eagle’s nest in the campground for so many years was not such a good idea after all.
The survival rate of a fish is so minute to begin with, but this year many of those eggs will never even get a chance. My uneducated opinion was that many of these fish would choose to spawn in the main lake since there was very little current this year. It is actually quite common to find spawn on downed trees and heavy weeds in the main lake. This means that not every walleye spawns in a river. Think of how many walleye lakes out there do not even have a river. There have been hundreds of walleyes packed into the river right now and can be easily seen at night with the aid of a flashlight. The number of eyeballs you will see is quite astonishing.
Bald eagles preying on our trophy walleyes are beyond our control, but there is a very strong concern for the transfer of unwanted species from lake to lake this year. The spiny water flea is a growing problem that could be easily transferred via bilge water or live wells. Even boat trailers can carry weeds such as milfoil. TheDNR will be policing the landings for violators. It is very easy to completely drain your boat after each use right there at the landing. It is also a good reason to fix any leaks in your boat. I know I have a few to take care of this year.
Cory Christianson, a 2000
graduate of the University of
Iowa, has worked as a fishing
guide on the Gunflint Trail
for nine years. If you have
any fishing reports or stories
to share, send an email to:
christiansoncory@hotmail.
com or call 218-388-0315
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