Responses of Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) and Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) Populations to Removal of White Sucker (Catostomus commersoni) from a Minnesota Lake, 1966

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1633-1642 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fritz H. Johnson

In a northeastern Minnesota lake subject only to sportfishing, removal of 85% of the estimated standing crop (34 kg/ha) of adult white suckers, Catostomus commersoni in 1966 was followed by marked changes in community structure and interrelations. During 7 yr alter the removal: catch indices for adult suckers remained far below those before the sucker removal but juvenile suckers increased about 17-fold; yellow perch, Perca flavescens, increased about 15-fold; walleye Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, standing crop increased about one-third; mayflies increased in diet of adult perch and smaller invertebrates decreased; micro-crustaceans increased in diet of young-of-the-year and juvenile perch; young-of-the-year perch increased in diet of adult walleye; walleye angling yield increased from an average of 3.0 kg/ha before the removal to an average of 4.9 kg/ha in 1970–73; the rate of exploitation of adult walleye did not change with increase in angling effort; and the increased walleye harvest consisted mostly of fish recruited to the catch during the fishing season. The average annual harvest of walleye in 1970–73 exceeded estimated potential production for all fish by 81.5% and probably cannot be sustained. Removal of white suckers from lakes with limited fish species diversity appears to benefit percid populations. Key words: Percidae, species interactions, (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum), Perca flavescens, Catostomus commersoni, harvests, community response, community ecology, food, competition

1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1703-1709 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. D. Anthony ◽  
C. R. Jorgensen

Analysis of the 1960–76 creel survey data for Lake Nipissing and relevant data collected by the Lake Nipissing Fisheries Assessment Unit from 1969 to 1976 showed a generally declining walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) contribution to the Lake Nipissing fishery. Variable year-class strengths alone did not adequately account for the changes. Overexploitation of the resource was strongly suggested by decreased catches per unit of effort, recruitment of younger walleye (many of which probably never spawned) into the fishery at least after 1968, and increased growth rate. The population is probably affected as well by climatic factors, interactions with white suckers (Catostomus commersoni), northern pike (Esox lucius), and yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and by technology and watershed influences. Key words: walleye, Lake Nipissing Ontario, Lake Nipissing fishery, Percidae, Stizostedion


1995 ◽  
Vol 52 (3) ◽  
pp. 464-469 ◽  
Author(s):  
Todd M. Koel ◽  
John J. Peterka

Laboratory-based bioassays were conducted to determine concentrations of sodium-sulfate type salinities that limit the hatching success of several fish species. Survival to hatching (SH) was significantly lower (P < 0.05) in sodium-sulfate type waters from Devils Lake, North Dakota, of ≥ 2400 mg/L total dissolved solids (TDS) than in fresh water of 200 mg/L. In waters of 200, 1150, 2400, 4250, and 6350 mg/L TDS, walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) SH was 41, 38, 7, 1, and 0%; northern pike (Esox lucius) SH was 92, 68, 33, 2, and 0%; yellow perch (Perca flavescens) SH was 88, 70, 73, 0, and 0%; white sucker (Catostomus commersoni) SH was 87, 95, 66, 0, and 0%; common carp (Cyprinus carpio) SH was 71, 69, 49, 63, and 25%.


1985 ◽  
Vol 42 (11) ◽  
pp. 1815-1822 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karl Schwalme ◽  
William C. Mackay ◽  
Dieter Lindner

A vertical slot fishway and two Denil fishways (of 10 and 20% slope) built into a weir on the Lesser Slave River (55°18′N, 115°45′W) were studied from May 12 to June 25, 1984, to determine how effectively these designs pass north-temperate, nonsalmonid fishes. Thousands of spottail shiner (Notropis hudsonius), substantial numbers (> 100) of northern pike (Esox lucius), longnose sucker (Catostomus catostomus), white sucker (Catostomus commersoni), immature yellow perch (Perca flavescens), and lesser numbers of burbot (Lota lota), adult yellow perch, lake whitefish (Coregonus clupeaformis), and trout-perch (Percopsis omiscomaycus) ascended the fishways. Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and goldeye (Hiodon alosoides), although probably moving extensively through the river, did not use the fishways. Although high water levels allowed most fish to surmount the weir, of those that chose the fishway, pike strongly preferred to ascend the Denil fishways and the two sucker species preferred to ascend the vertical slot. Therefore, a combination of several different fishways may be required for the most efficient passage of a wide variety of species. Plasma glucose and lactate measurements on pike revealed that ascending the Denil fishways was only moderately stressful for these fish.


1993 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 217-236 ◽  
Author(s):  
R.C. Harris ◽  
W.J. Snodgrass

Abstract Bioenergetic models for mercury accumulation in walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) and yellow perch (Perca flavescens) were calibrated on the basis of data which indicate that methylmercury concentrations in oxic, unpolluted lake waters are on the order of 0.04 to 0.40 ug m−3. This range reflects improved analytical capabilities in recent years and is significantly lower than earlier estimates on the order of 4 μg m−3. For both yellow perch and walleye, the calibrations of bioenergetics equations in this study strongly suggest that the food uptake pathway is dominant for methylmercury in oxic unpolluted freshwaters, in comparison to uptake across the gills. The food pathway is predicted to be responsible for 90% or more of methylmercury uptake in yellow perch and walleye in oxic freshwaters with methylmercury concentrations less than 0.3 to 0.4 μg m−3. As a result of the dominance of the food uptake pathway, mercury concentrations in fish were strongly influenced by the mercury concentration in the diet. A change in the source of the walleye diet from benthos to fish resulted in a significant increase in the rate of mercury accumulation. The calibrations resulted in a 5-year old yellow perch achieving a mercury concentration of 0.15–0.20 μg g−1, and a 4-year old, 1 kg walleye achieving a mercury concentration of about 0.45 μg g−1.


2004 ◽  
Vol 61 (11) ◽  
pp. 2144-2150 ◽  
Author(s):  
Brian D Wisenden ◽  
Josh Klitzke ◽  
Ryan Nelson ◽  
David Friedl ◽  
Peter C Jacobson

Fishes reared in captivity are predator-naïve and suffer large predation mortality when stocked into lakes with a full complement of predators. We tested the potential of predator training to enhance post-stocking survival of hatchery-reared walleye (Stizostedion vitreum). In the first part of the study, we found that walleye (i) use chemical cues for assessing predation risk, (ii) do not have innate recognition of the odor of northern pike (Esox lucius) as an indicator of predation, and (iii) associate predation risk with pike odor after a single simultaneous encounter with pike odor and chemical alarm cues from walleye skin. In the second part of the study, we attempted to mass-train yellow perch, Perca flavescens (as a surrogate for walleye), to fear pike odor. Perch response to pike odor was not changed by placing sponge blocks containing pike odor and perch alarm cues around the perimeter of a pond. On pre- and post-training assays, perch avoided traps scented with perch alarm cues, but did not avoid traps labeled with pike odor or water. We conclude that recognition training offers potential as a management tool for walleye, but significant logistic challenges must be solved before it can be implemented.


1977 ◽  
Vol 34 (10) ◽  
pp. 1475-1480 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. A. Ali ◽  
R. A. Ryder ◽  
M. Anctil

A review of the literature indicated contrasts in retinal structure and function between perches (Perca spp.) and pikeperches (Stizostedion spp.). Foremost among these were differences in size and distribution of rods, size and shape of cones, extent of retinomotor responses, possession or lack of reflecting material, and relative concentrations of melanin. The perches are primarily active by daylight, whereas the pikeperches are most active during twilight or at night. The coincidental occupancy of shoal areas by yellow perch (Perca flavescens) and walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) at twilight is related to decreasing visual acuity of the former and the approach of optimum visual performance in the latter species. On this basis the two species have a classic predator–prey relationship. Key words: histology, light, Perca sp., photopic vision, predation, retina, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum, symbiosis, tapetum lucidum


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