Talked to some NJ F&W guys about the Walleye spawn this year...

[Skunk City]

A buddy and I camped out and fished at Big Swartswood friday night into saturday morning in hopes of landing a few Walleye, as they theoretically should be mid-spawn. After reading on the state's website of the very impressive broodstock numbers in years passed (329 walleye in 4 days trapped!), I thought it'd be a home run. While we saw a bunch in the shallows, none were interested in our offerings. Early saturday morning, the NJ F&W guys were on the lake to unload and remove the trap nets from the mouth of Neldon's Brook. Naturally, we made our way over to watch them and got to BS with them for a bit.

While we were there, only 7 ripe females were caught and taken to the hatchery. All were around the 4-5lb mark. According to the hatchery guys, this year was not as productive as passed years for the walleye broodstock. They said that obviously due to the wacky weather, of the walleye they caught in the trap nets, some were ripe, some were already spent, and some were yet to hold eggs. Though they had some nice specimens, there were no real giants, nor the large numbers they had in years passed. After picking their brains for a bit, they pulled the nets out and were on to their next destination, which was to collect broodstock for musky.

[Tony Cav]

Great informative report....Thanks Much!!