Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No.1853, 1977
Survival, Growth, and Vulnerability to Angling of Walleyes Stocked as Fingerlings in a Small Lake With Minnows
George B. Beyerle
Abstract.-Walleyes stocked as 4-inch fingerlings in 15-acre Daggett Lake, Barry County, from 1973 through 1975, produced a total standing crop of 35.5 walleyes per acre (35. 6 pounds per acre) by September 1976. Survival was somewhat higher and growth was significantly faster than for walleyes stocked in a small lake containing bluegills.
In 8. 8 angling hours per acre of fishing, 17.3% of the standing crop of walleyes was caught. The catch rate for legal size (15-inch and over) walleyes was 0.26 fish per angler hour and for walleyes of any size, 0. 70 fish per angler hour. During the angling test in summer 1976, fishing was enhanced because the walleyes were confined to weedy areas in less than 8 feet of water. For at least part of the season sufficient oxygen excluded walleyes from the deeper waters.
The results of this study indicate that large fingerling walleyes stocked in small lakes with a suitable food supply will survive and grow to the extent that a significant fishery can be anticipated.