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.
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.