Habitat selection and spawning success of walleye in a tributary to Owasco Lake, New York

North American Journal of Fisheries Management
By: , and 

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Abstract

Walleyes Sander vitreus are stocked into Owasco Lake, New York, to provide a sport fishery, but the population must be sustained by annual hatchery supplementation despite the presence of appropriate habitat. Therefore, we evaluated walleye spawning success in Dutch Hollow Brook, a tributary of Owasco Lake, to determine whether early survival limited recruitment. Spawning success during spring 2006 and 2007 was evaluated by estimating egg densities from samples collected in the lower 725 m of the stream. Environmental variables were also recorded to characterize the selected spawning habitat. Drift nets were set downstream of the spawning section to assess egg survival and larval drift. We estimated that 162,596 larvae hatched in 2006. For 2007, we estimated that 360,026 eggs were deposited, with a hatch of 127,500 larvae and hatching success of 35.4%. Egg density was significantly correlated to percent cover, substrate type, and depth : velocity ratio. Two sections had significantly higher egg deposition than other areas. Adult spawning walleyes selected shallow, slow habitats with some cover and gravel substrate in the accessible reaches of Dutch Hollow Brook. Our results show that walleyes found suitable spawning habitat in Dutch Hollow Brook and that egg and larval development does not appear to limit natural reproduction.

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Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Habitat selection and spawning success of walleye in a tributary to Owasco Lake, New York
Series title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
DOI 10.1577/M09-033.1
Volume 30
Issue 1
Year Published 2010
Language English
Publisher Taylor & Francis
Publisher location Philadelphia, PA
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 9 p.
Larger Work Type Article
Larger Work Subtype Journal Article
Larger Work Title North American Journal of Fisheries Management
First page 170
Last page 178
Country United States
State New York
Other Geospatial Owasco Lake
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