Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Institute for Fisheries Research Report No.1753. 1969
Results of Experimental Stocking of Walleye Fingerlings, 1951-1963
James C. Schneider
Abstract.-Walleye fingerlings were planted in 60 to 70 Michigan lakes between 1951 and 1963. They made a real contribution to the stock and fishery of 4 lakes; provided a limited amount of fishing in 20 lakes; contributed nothing to 17 lakes; and results were not evaluated at about 20 lakes. An intensive creel census was conducted at Bear and Fife lakes, two of the lakes which provided a limited amount of fishing. In addition, walleye population estimates were made at Fife Lake. At Bear Lake, it was projected that the catch from the three supplemented year classes would be 59% greater than the average catch from classes comprised only of native fish. At Fife Lake, one supplemented year class was six times stronger than the average natural year class but another was much weaker than average. Rates of return from walleye fingerlings planted in Bear Lake were 7.1%, O.3%, and 2.3% for three consecutive annual plantings. Similar estimates at Fife Lake were 1.0% and 0.1% for two consecutive plantings. The standing crop of walleyes in Fife Lake during the spring of 1964 was 2.3 fish per acre. Only 1.8 fish per acre remained the following year. Of the total mortality rate of 22.2%, 5.1% was due to angling. A simple model was developed to predict the number of fingerlings which should be stocked in a lake to produce a good, stable, walleye sport fishery.