Walleye (WE) will also spawn and eggs hatch on windswept, rocky, cobble shorelines with water that has low turbidity. Low turbdity is important. Then conditions have to be good for adequate zooplankton and low predation of fry and fingerlings as mentioned by CJBS. The substrate in the pictures above is marginally acceptable for size. IMO the material is a little on the small side and not nearly expansive enough. Often 100's of feet are needed at a minimum to get enough egg accumulations to result in a minimal amount of egg survival and hatch. Then good or moderate wave action has to occur reguarly while not causing shallow water turbidity. At hatcheries WE eggs are hatched in bell jars where the eggs are continuously 'rolled' or tumbled whichgives some idea of what it needed to get the eggs to even hatch. This assumes the eggs don't develop fungus first. In my experience and readings, don't count or depend on any natural walleye recruitment in all but the exceptional conditions. If the fishery departments of many states with walleye fisheries can't get 'it done' on large bodies of waters they manage with lots of resources, how can the average pond owner expect to accomplish natural WE recruitment? Walleye are definately a 'finicky' or difficult fish to get natural recruitment. WE will readily spawn in many waters where they occur. The big problem is egg survival, successful hatch, and survival of fingerlings.
Last edited by Bill Cody; 02/14/11 06:21 PM.
