Relationship of Walleye Fingerling Density and Electrofishing Catch Per Effort in Northern Wisconsin Lakes

Abstract

Investigations conducted on 13 northern Wisconsin lakes over a 7-year period revealed a significant positive linear relationship between walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) fingerling catch per effort by electrofishing and fingerling density (both in number per acre and number per mile of shoreline). The best formula for describing fingerling density (number per acre) was: Y = 0.234X, where Y = fingerling density and X = fingerling catch per mile of shoreline (catch per effort) with an electroshocker. Electrofishing efficiency was negatively correlated with lake surface area and shoreline length. Efficiency was not related to conductivity, shoreline development factor, fingerling CPE, or fingerling density. The mean total length of native walleye fingerlings was not related to fingerling density or lake conductivity.