Anglers brave thin ice for walleyes. But why?

200 anglers were evacuated Wednesday from a sheet of ice using a bridge provided by a resort on the south side of Upper Red Lake. The ice had broken away from shore, stranding the eager winter walleye anglers.

On Wednesday about 200 anglers were stranded on Upper Red Lake when the ice they were standing on separated from ice nearer to shore. The anglers were rescued. But the incident prompts a question: Why are so many Minnesota walleye anglers so eager to venture onto thin ice in late November and early December? Are they more likely to catch more walleyes at that time than they would be a few weeks later, when lake ice is safer?

In the interview below, fisheries biologist and lake ecology scientist Paul Radomski of Brainerd, author of "Walleye. A Beautiful Fish of the Dark'' (University of Minnesota Press, $24.95), discusses walleye behavior during fall and early winter, and what it means for anglers.

https://www.startribune.com/anglers-brave-thin-ice-for-walleyes-but-why/600232611/