Response of walleye and yellow perch to water-level fluctuations in glacial lakes

D.J. Dembkowski; Steven R. Chipps; B. G. Blackwell

doi:10.1111/fme.12047

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Response of walleye and yellow perch to water-level fluctuations in glacial lakes

D.J. Dembkowski·Steven R. Chipps·B. G. Blackwell

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Abstract

The influence of water levels on population characteristics of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), and walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), was evaluated across a range of glacial lakes in north-eastern South Dakota, USA. Results showed that natural variation in water levels had an important influence on frequently measured fish population characteristics. Yellow perch abundance was significantly ( P < 0.10) greater during elevated water levels. Yellow perch size structure, as indexed by the proportional size distribution of quality- and preferred-length fish (PSD and PSD-P), was significantly greater during low-water years, as was walleye PSD. Mean relative weight of walleye increased significantly during high-water periods. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of water-level fluctuations in glacial lakes ultimately adds complexity to management of these systems.

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Source-reported bounding extent: 44.49454617990028° to 45.93778073466329° latitude; -97.95135498046875° to -96.8609619140625° longitude. This indicates report coverage, not an exact sampling location. View area on OpenStreetMap.

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D.J. Dembkowski, Steven R. Chipps, B. G. Blackwell. 2013-07-19. Response of walleye and yellow perch to water-level fluctuations in glacial lakes. https://doi.org/10.1111/fme.12047

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