WALLEYE STOCKING
Walleye scatter planting has been gratifying to the teams of volunteers who help transport small walleye fingerlings from the DNR tanker trucks to areas on the water where they have the best chance for survival, primarily because this technique seems to be helping in the ongoing efforts to improve the walleye population. A total of 118,000 walleye fingerlings were released at 39 different locations of the chain.
Walleyes are stocked at a rate of 35 per acre on an alternate year basis. Some natural reproduction is occurring, but stocking appears to increase year class strength. Scatter planting stocked fingerlings may increase survival. The adult walleye population in Prairie Lake in 2001 was estimated at 2,647 or 1.7 per acre. The adult walleye population in Pokegama Lake in 2001 was estimated at 1,245 or 2.5 per acre.
The average size of walleyes captured in Prairie Lake during spawning was 18.4 inches, and 25% of the captured walleyes were 20 inches or larger. The largest captured was 27.9 inches. The average size captured in Pokegama Lake during spawning was 17.1 inches in length, and 12% of those captured were 20 inches or larger. The largest was 28.4 inches. Walleye spawning areas should not be altered or degraded, as natural reproduction is very important to the fishery.
OTHER PROJECTS
Last Updated: June, 2005