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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | How important is genetics to walleye stocking to you guys, as Muskie fisherman we fight kick and scream for the best possible fish in the best lakes.
John Underhill
John.
Genetics is something I dwelled apon and questioned for a long time when our DNR started re-introducing walleyes back to Saginaw Bay. Over the years they raised and planted walleyes from a few different sources both hear in Michigan and even used Lake Erie walleyes for a plant or two.
I've talked to the professional I know about this. And they have a scientific inkling that genetics do play a part in how these different relocated residents phsically react, forage, live, places where they spawn, when they spawn and their timetables for doing so. Much the same way salmon smolt imprint and are counted on coming back to the same streams they were planted in. But they see this trate as highly superficial and not worth the study or attention as far as the walleye specie goes.
For the last 4 to 5 years we've seen no plants and a great natural reproduction. A variety or reasons and forage base changes brought us to where we are today. But these natural walleyes are now almost 5 generations into becoming genetically established, healthier and stronger survivors IMV. They have adjusted to a new, different and varied forage base, and seem to be doing great. Rather that is in part due to aquired genetics is anybodies guess. But remember, what makes you strong can also destroy you, when genetic habbits force you into danger. Capt. Dan.
Edited by walleye express 8/18/2008 8:09 AM
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| On a related note the WI DNR is conducting a study on Winnebago to test the hypothesis that the three spawning sub-populations of walleye inhabiting the Lake Winnebago system and are discrete, reproductively isolated stocks.
It has been hypothesized that there are three different spawning stocks: two stocks that migrate up the Wolf and Fox Rivers to spawn, and a third stock that spawns on rocky substrate in Lake Winnebago itself.
If these stocks are ecologically or genetically distinct, it would be necessary to manage each separately. For example, protection of fragile upstream spawning areas and monitoring of angler harvest of the upstream migrating fish would be a priority for the river-spawning stocks, while lake water levels might be more important for the lake-spawning fish. Also, the ability to monitor the relative contribution of each spawning population to the overall lake recruitment would permit evaluating management activities. Determining whether these stocks are distinct can be done through tagging studies, genetic analyses, or comparing morphometric characteristics (i.e., physical measurements).
Differentiating spawning stocks will allow evaluation of the cost effectiveness of current management activities. Future management actions such as habitat protection or spring harvest regulations can respond to differences in the reproductive success of each stock. If spawning stocks are not separate, unnecessary stock-specific management activities can be avoided.
http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/science/fish/walleye_stock.htm |
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Member
Posts: 2680
Location: Essexville, MI./Saginaw Bay. | Good Poop Viking.
I've personally seen a lot more walleye returning to both the Saginaw and Tittabawassee Rivers during the winter and spring these last few years. This was also the case during the years they took stocks from the Tittabawassee River. The vast majority of our group of natural walleys are river hatched fish and disperse into the Bay after the hatch. I've also seen an improved amount staying in the rivers longer after the spawn, some right through the summers. These "River oriented fish" IMV are exactly what we need and love in our area, when the only really good fishing in open water seems to be from April through July on the Bay proper. Then again of course during the winter through the ice. These were historically the genetics trates that Saginaw bay fish had long before their final demise during the mid/late 40's.
Edited by walleye express 8/18/2008 9:33 AM
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Member
Posts: 2393
Location: Waukesha Wisconsin | Thanks for the information Viking! The DNR will be studying what many of us believed to be true. many of us thought there was a group of walleyes that stayed in the main lake to spawn and never left for the river. It will be interesting for them to determine if these are genetically different or if the fish changed their habits because of the changing lake conditions. As a side note, I know that the DNR always planted walleye stock that came from the Winnebago system into the Milwaukee River. They did this because the original walleyes in the Milwaukee River were marsh spawners.
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| And what about those blue walleye? |
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