Impact of Angling on the Production and Yield of Mature Walleyes and Northern Pike in a Small Boreal Lake in Ontario

Abstract

Experimental angling was conducted in 1977 on recently unexploited populations of walleye Stizostedion vitreum and northern pike Esox lucius in 364-hectare Savanne Lake, Ontario. A total effort of 450 angler-hours yielded 1.4 kg northern pike and 0.6 kg walleye per hectare. The size distribution of fish in the angling catch closely paralleled length-frequency distributions of fish in entrapment gear used during netting for spring population estimates. Although effort was low (1.24 angler-hours/hectare), angling removed 50% of the annual adult northern pike production of 2.76 kg/hectare year and 43% of the estimated annual adult walleye production of 1.38 kg/hectare year. The potential angling yield from small boreal lakes is low and, because the entire population is vulnerable to fishing, application of yield quotas and restrictions on angling effort to conserve these stocks of old, slow-growing fish is needed. It may be difficult to provide a high-quality fishing experience in such lakes.