Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No.1875, 1979
Survival, Growth, and Vulnerability to Angling of Walleyes Stocked as Fingerlings in a Small Lake with Yellow Perch and Minnows
James C. Schneider
Abstract.-An experimental fish community comprised of fathead minnows, yellow perch, and walleyes was established in Jewett Lake. Fingerling walleyes about 150 mm long were stocked at the rate of 62 per hectare each fall for three consecutive years once the other species were established. Abundance, survival, growth, and food habits were monitored up through the fourth year.
The fish community developed about as predicted from earlier studies. A large population of minnows was replaced by large, balanced populations of yellow perch and walleye. By the fourth year, survival of the three walleye plantings ranged from 0.071 to 0. 708, depending at planting time on length of planted fingerling, abundance of food of the appropriate size, and density of older walleyes in the lake. Walleye mortality was highest during the first year in the lake (especially in the first month), and low in subsequent years.
Test anglers found the walleyes and yellow perch fairly easy to catch. This type of fish community has good potential for fisheries management.