Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No.1873, 1979
Intensive Culture of Walleye Fry and Fingerlings in Michigan, 1972-1979
George B. Beyerle
Abstract.-Attempts to raise walleye fry intensively on a variety of natural and formulated foods were unsuccessful. A varying percentage of fry did accept several of the foods; however, almost no fry survived beyond 10 days following the beginning of exogenous feeding. A stress syndrome, characterized by continuous, aimless swimming, was associated with mortality of both feeding and non-feeding fry.
Survival of intensively cultured walleye fingerlings varied from 0. 3 to 61. 3%. Growth rate varied from 0.61 to 0.99 mm per day and surviving walleyes attained mean lengths of 100 to 115 mm. High survival (high acceptance of pelleted food) was related to large initial size of fingerlings (50 mm), covered troughs with a lighted feeding station in the center of each trough, and no disease problems. Low survival (low acceptance) was related to relatively small initial size of fingerlings, open or covered rearing units with feeding stations extending the length of the unit, and problems with various diseases. Recommended procedures are presented for future attempts to culture walleye fingerlings intensively.