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What size should walleye be stocked if there is already 20+ inch walleye I don't want the baby walleye to be eaten.


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch
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The next issue of PB mag has an article on stocking YP (earlier issue had info on stocking WE)into waters with adult fish.
















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I am not subscribed and can't afford it.


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch
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The mag is inexpensive. This tip from the mag Cutting Edge column is worth the price. I don't do this often - here is a freebie on PB. Note the part in red.


THE CUTTING EDGE – SCIENCE REVIEW
By Eric West

Walleye stocking - new info

Stocking new fish into a pond or lake with existing adult predators is a common concern with fisheries managers. How big do the new stockers need to be and can habituation make survival more likely are common questions. Species interaction questions are a key factor in answering these short term questions as well as understanding the long term chances of success. Walleyes are numerically among the most stocked fish in the USA, yet stocking success of this species is highly variable. Stocking walleye into existing waters with adult largemouth bass is the focus of this edition but it will address some other points on stocking generally and walleye stocking specifically.

A new study entitled Largemouth Bass Predation Effect on Stocked Walleye
Survival in Illinois Impoundments by Jonathan A. Freedman, R. John H. Hoxmeier, Lisa M. Einfalt , Ronald C. Brooks and David H. Wahl in the North American Journal of Fisheries Management 32:1039–1045, 2012 American Fisheries Society contains some fascinating information on stocking walleye and other fish . The study examined the effects of predation by largemouth bass on walleyes across 77 stocking events in 10 Illinois impoundments of various sizes from roughly 13 to 800 acres over 7 years. Walleyes were stocked as small fingerlings (45 mm TL – 1.77 inches) at a target density of 40/acre or as large fingerlings (100 mm TL – 3.94 inches) at 30/acre. Interestingly, and likely contrary to what most pond misters think , the study found walleye predation mortality for up to 21 days post stocking at only 4.3% attributable to largemouth bass predation. Largemouth bass predation was greatest within 24 hours of stocking, and no predation was observed after 14 days.

The authors citing a number of prior studies provide the following points in this paragraph. Many factors can influence survival of stocked fish, including population structure of both prey and predators. Density, size and competition of prey can affect growth and survival of stocked fish. When fish are initially stocked into a system, they may become easy prey for predators due to disorientation and stress. Most hatcheries rear fish in plain concrete tanks or ponds, although fish reared in enriched tanks may have higher post stocking feeding and survival rates. Fish are often stocked at one location in a lake (e.g., a boat ramp or dock) and may have limited dispersal from this site, thus potentially creating artificially high densities of naive prey and increasing predator feeding efficiency. Stocked fish may therefore be more vulnerable to predation than natural populations, with highest predation effects within 30 d of stocking. Predation on stocked fish is highly variable and may depend on the species and size of fish stocked, as well as predator community composition and size structure. Spiny-rayed fishes are less vulnerable to predation than soft-rayed species. Species such as walleye, saugeye, and largemouth bass thus have lower predation mortality than pikes and salmon. Likewise, larger size at stocking has generally been linked to higher survival for a number of species although some studies of walleye have found that environmental and biological conditions of stocked lakes can be more important than size at stocking.

One study of walleye stocking in multiple lakes across 11 years in Wisconsin that found survival of stocked walleyes to be inversely correlated with largemouth bass numbers. Timing of predation is consistent with an earlier study that found 76% of walleyes eaten by largemouth bass were consumed within 48 hours. Predation losses of saugeyes stocked into reservoirs in Ohio similarly approached zero after 14 days, although residual mortality due to predation was assumed to occur for an additional 6 weeks. Predation on a number of other stocked fishes, including largemouth bass, bluegill, trout, musky, tiger musky and channel catfish is also highest soon after stocking.

This study found no differences between predation rates on small and large walleye fingerlings stocked into the same impoundments. However both sizes stocked were small (less than 4 inches). Previous studies on a number of other introduced fishes have generally found higher predation rates on small fish. Another study however, found mean mortality due to largemouth bass predation increased from 6% for 57-mm (2.25 inch) walleyes to 17% for 140-mm (5.5 inch) walleyes stocked into a small Illinois impoundment, but was 0% for 205-mm (8 inch) walleyes.

While this study did not detect largemouth bass predation on walleyes in 42 (54.5%) of stockings , it is important to note that just because largemouth bass did not overly effect stocker walleye survival other items did. Stocked fish may also experience losses through other mechanisms, such as thermal or transport stress, low feeding rates, emigration, or natural mortality. In this study many stocking events resulted in no/low survival of stocked walleyes to the fall (mean survival of 2.6 %).

Here are some points to think about before your next stocking. Abundant prey may increase competition with small stocker fingerlings and thus contribute to low survival of stocked fish, but prey may also moderate predator effects. Modification of rearing habitat (blocking nets, plants, brush piles etc) increases survival of stocked fish and should be implemented when possible to improve stocking success. Size at stocking of fish including walleyes has been shown to be correlated with survival. Higher predation mortality of fish stocked in summer than autumn has been attributed to several factors related to higher temperatures: increased thermal stress, cold blooded predators having higher metabolic rates (and thus higher feeding rates), and predators and prey (including stocked fish) concentrated in inshore areas due to thermal stratification. It is critical to habituate (protect with a net or cage or abundant brush) newly stocked fish until they become acclimated. This single act can greatly increase survival of fish stocked into waters with existing predators. Habituation plus using larger sized stocker fish is your best chance of effectuating a successful supplemental stocking of walleye and most other pond fish.



Last edited by ewest; 07/31/14 04:56 PM.















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Thank you how much for a year?


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch
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I agree. When you figure what a pond consultant costs, getting the magazine is a no brainer.

Subscription costs

If you are a subscriber, look into the electronic versions that are available too if that's your preference.


www.hoosierpondpros.com


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3/4 to 1 1/4 ac pond LMB, SMB, PS, BG, RES, CC, YP, Bardello BG, (RBT & Blue Tilapia - seasonal).
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And if I can afford a cage? Or larger walleye? No LMB in my pond but a few 17-22 inch walleye that I am afraid of caniblism


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch
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Walleye get expensive over 10 inch


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch
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I mean can't afford


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch
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Small fingerling walleye are also expensive (wasted money) if they do not survive. Note in the ewest's article: "Likewise, larger size at stocking has generally been linked to higher survival for a number of species although some studies of walleye have found that environmental and biological conditions of stocked lakes (habitat) can be more important than size at stocking." IMO you will have the best success if you do two things: 1. remove some of the adult walleye prior to re-stocking, 2. stock as large of young WE as you can afford and stock as many new ones as the number removed plus 10%-20% prior to the stocking. Example If you remove 6 adults then restock 8-10 new ones 6"-9"long. Since you don't have LMB in the pond, it also might be a good idea to add 5 to 10 lbs of FHM when you add the new walleye. Adult predators will focus on eating FHM instead of the new YOY walleye. This works well for some including me in my area. It gives the new walleye more time to become adjusted to the pond habitat before all the FHM are consumed.

Last edited by Bill Cody; 08/01/14 09:16 AM.

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Thank you I have habitat set up for SMB and WE the whole pond bottom is rock. Good idea thank u.


3 ponds mountains of NC. One 5 acre and two 1/4 acre ponds. SMB Redbreast sunfish LMB YP CC brook trout WE and warmouth perch

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