Effectiveness of Walleye Fry and Fingerling Stocking in Rathbun Lake, Iowa, 1990–1999

Abstract

I evaluated the performance of walleyes Stizostedion vitreum in Rathbun Lake, Iowa, by comparing stockings of fry, intensively reared fingerlings, and extensively reared fingerlings (fall and spring) during 1984–1999. The management goal was to triple the biomass of walleye adults (>17.5 in). Fry were stocked at 2,000/acre (1984–1995) and 3,000/acre (1996–1999), extensively reared fingerlings were stocked at 10/acre (1984–1990), and intensively reared fingerlings were stocked at 5/acre (1985–1999). Spring‐ and fall‐stocked fingerlings were also compared during 1992–1999. Fry stockings were highly variable, but produced large year‐classes in 1985, 1986, 1993, 1995, 1997, and 1998. October samplings of fingerlings, which originated from fry stockings, yielded 9–27 fish/acre. Intensively reared fingerling survival was about four times greater than that of the smaller, extensively reared fingerlings. Survival of spring‐stocked fingerlings was higher than that of fall‐stocked fingerlings in 3 of 5 years. Findings from this investigation were used to develop walleye management strategies for Rathbun Lake. Walleye culture and stocking protocols for fingerlings and fry should be guided by water‐body‐specific angler demand, production economics, and survival characteristics.

Using Radiotelemetry to Evaluate Poststocking Survival and Behavior of Large Fingerling Walleye in Three Iowa, USA, Lakes

“…; Rypel et al. ), whereas Walleye cannot naturally reproduce or their recruitment is limited in other locations (Mitzner ; Reed and Staples ; Koch et al. ).…”

“…Walleye stocking programs often rely on stocking large numbers of fry (~10 mm TL); this strategy can be successful in some instances (e.g., Logsdon et al. ) but is more often unsuccessful in many situations (Laarman ; Mitzner ). Large fingerling Walleye (>200 mm TL) are also commonly stocked (Kerr ; Summerfelt et al.…”

“…Large fingerling Walleye (>200 mm TL) are also commonly stocked (Kerr ; Summerfelt et al. ); they may be less vulnerable to starvation and predation due to their size and can successfully produce year‐classes when fry stockings fail (Mitzner ; Hoxmeier et al. ; Kampa and Hatzenbeler ; Kerr ) while also being more cost effective to stock than fry (Santucci and Wahl ).…”

Relative Effects of Mortality versus Emigration on a Reservoir Walleye Population

“…). Adult Walleye densities in Rathbun Lake and other locations throughout the Midwestern USA tend to be low due to limited or no natural recruitment, and populations are subsequently maintained by stocking (Willis and Stephen ; Mitzner ). Thus, even low adult emigration rates from reservoirs may substantially reduce population densities.…”

Relative Contribution of Stocked Walleyes in Tennessee Reservoirs

“…For example, in a review of walleye stocking case histories, Laarman (1978) reported that only one-third of all supplemental stockings were effective, and Ellison and Franzin (1992) reported success rates ranging from 32% to 50%. Although numerous studies have reported successful stocking efforts in the Midwestern United States (e.g., Lucchesi 2002;Mitzner 2002), few studies have examined the success of walleye stocking programs in the Southeast, despite the long practice of stocking in this region of North America (Hackney and Holbrook 1978).…”