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Walleye fishery of Lake Erie in 1943-62 with emphasis on contributions of the 1942-61 year-classes

Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
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https://doi.org/10.1139/f70-169

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Abstract

The commercial fishery for walleyes (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) in Lake Erie virtually collapsed in the late 1950's. The extreme decline in production was attributed primarily to a succession of weak year-classes, caused by habitat deterioration (increased water temperatures, enrichment, and pollution) in western Lake Erie. Unusually high fishing intensity and high yields of walleyes in the mid-1950's contributed to the collapse.Annual lakewide production of walleyes dropped from a record high of 15 million lb in 1956 to a record low of 717,000 lb in 1962. Canadian catches exceeded those of the United States only during the high production years of 1956–58; U.S. fishermen took 71% of the total catch in 1915–62.On the basis of the numbers of fish of the various year-classes in the fall trapnet samples at Sandusky, Ohio, in 1943–62, all but one of the 1942–52 year-classes were above average strength, and all but one of the 1953–61 year-classes were below average. Fish of the 1953–61 year-classes grew much faster than those of the 1942–52 year-classes. The strong 1948 year-class was followed by a series of progressively weaker year-classes until 1958; year-class strengths remained low through 1962.

Publication type Article
Publication Subtype Journal Article
Title Walleye fishery of Lake Erie in 1943-62 with emphasis on contributions of the 1942-61 year-classes
Series title Journal of the Fisheries Research Board of Canada
DOI 10.1139/f70-169
Volume 27
Issue 8
Year Published 1970
Language English
Publisher NRC Research Press
Contributing office(s) Great Lakes Science Center
Description 15 p.
First page 1475
Last page 1489
Online Only (Y/N) N
Additional Online Files (Y/N) N
Google Analytic Metrics Metrics page
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