Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No. 1796, 1973

Additional Observations on Growth Rate and Food Habits of the Walleye in Michigan Waters


James C. Schneider and Thomas M. Kelly


      Abstract.-We examined the ages and stomach contents of adult and sub-adult walleyes collected from Houghton Lake, Lake Cadillac, Lake Gogebic, and Lake Whittlesey in 1971, and from Lake Gogebic and three lakes on Isle Royale in 1928. Walleye growth appears to be slower than the state average in these lakes; also, the growth of walleyes in Lake Gogebic, Houghton Lake, and Lake Cadillac may have declined in recent years. Fish, especially yellow perch, were the principal food of the walleye, being found in 67-100% of the stomachs containing food. No correlation was found between size of the walleye and size of prey fish found in its stomach.