Relationship Between Northern Pike And Walleye CPUE In Minnesota Lakes

Authors

Simon Oslund

Document Type

Article

Abstract

Northern pike Esox lucius and walleye Sander vitreus are both top predators in freshwater systems. Due to their predatorial nature, high populations of one species can prohibit populations of the other species from thriving, specifically northern pike foraging on walleye. This information is tracked by the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources through catch per unit effort (CPUE). CPUE data was gathered for all lakes in Beltrami County, Minnesota, and a regression analysis was done to test for a relationship between pike and walleye. It was found that the relationship between northern pike and walleye CPUE was significant (P = 0.02). As northern pike CPUE increased, walleye CPUE decreased. A relationship between both northern pike (P = 0.02) and walleye (P < 0.01) CPUE and lake size was also found. As lake size increased, walleye CPUE increased and northern pike CPUE decreased. Northern pike were found to be more abundant in smaller lakes, and walleye were more abundant in larger lakes.

Publication Date

2024

Comments

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

Recommended Citation

Oslund, Simon, "Relationship Between Northern Pike And Walleye CPUE In Minnesota Lakes" (2024). Journal of Earth and Life Science. 63.
https://pines.bemidjistate.edu/j-earth-life-sci/63