Walleye fishery of Lake Erie in 1943-62 with emphasis on contributions of the 1942-61 year-classes
Links
- More information: Publisher Index Page (via DOI)
- Download citation as: RIS | Dublin Core
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 |