Effect Of Walleye Fry Stocking On Future Gillnet CPUE

Authors

Alexander Barker

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Walleye Sanders vitreus for many states, is a key attractant of anglers from around North America. Due to immense popularity, management efforts have been conducted to maintain Walleye populations, especially in the form of stocking. The purpose of this study is to analyze the effect of Walleye fry stocking on gillnet catch per unit effort (CPUE). A total of 90 lakes were analyzed for this study within three defined regions of Minnesota, 30 from each region. The regions chosen for this study are the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources northern pike Esox lucius regulation regions which consist of the Southern, North-Central, and North-Eastern regions of the state. This is because each area has similar lake types ranging from prairie pothole lakes to Canadian shield lakes, which provides different habitat for Walleyes. Data collected from each lake consisted of CPUE, average fish weight (lbs), and stocking density (fry/littoral acre). There is little evidence to suggest that stocking density alone affects gillnet CPUE, however, there is evidence to suggest that gillnet CPUE is most effected by zone. Average weight had a very similar outcome where the best supported model was correlated with CPUE and zone.

Publication Date

2024

Comments

Faculty sponsor: Dr. Andrew Hafs, Department of Biology, Aquatic Biology Program

Recommended Citation

Barker, Alexander, "Effect Of Walleye Fry Stocking On Future Gillnet CPUE" (2024). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 61.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/61