Matthew P. Corsi Andrew M. Dux Ryan S. Hardy Michael C. Quist Susan Frawley 2024 <div class=" sec"><div class="title">Objective</div><p class="chapter-para">Walleye<span>&nbsp;</span><i>Sander vitreus</i><span>&nbsp;</span>is an important species that has been widely introduced outside of its native distribution. The goal of this study was to assess the effects of an established Walleye population in the Lake Pend Oreille (LPO) system, Idaho.</p></div><div class=" sec"><div class="title">Methods</div><p class="chapter-para">Food habits of Walleyes were described using stomach contents and stable isotopes (δ¹⁵N, δ¹³C). Trophic structure of the LPO system's food web was identified using stable isotopes. Annual consumption by Walleyes of important prey items was estimated using a bioenergetics model.</p></div><div class=" sec"><div class="title">Result</div><p class="chapter-para">Walleyes consumed a diversity of prey items, including macroinvertebrates and fishes. Kokanee<span>&nbsp;</span><i>Oncorhynchus nerka</i>, the most frequently consumed prey item, occurred in 23% of all Walleye diets. Combined, native cyprinids and catostomids occurred in 31% of all Walleye stomachs. Select taxa (e.g., native cyprinids, kokanee) were consistently consumed by Walleyes across seasons, regions, and cohorts, whereas other taxa (e.g., Westslope Cutthroat Trout<span>&nbsp;</span><i>O. lewisi</i>, Smallmouth Bass<span>&nbsp;</span><i>Micropterus dolomieu</i>) were consumed inconsistently. Stable isotope analysis suggested that Walleyes occupied similar trophic positions as other top‐level piscivores in the system<i>.</i><span>&nbsp;</span>As Walleye age increased, δ¹⁵N increased and δ¹³C decreased, indicating increased consumption of pelagic prey resources and prey at higher trophic positions. The estimated biomass of kokanee consumed annually by Walleyes was 27,121 kg (95% confidence interval = 9178–61,603). Comparatively, native cyprinids represented about 46% of the total biomass of kokanee consumed by Walleyes, whereas native catostomids represented about 11% and native salmonids represented about 15% of the total biomass of kokanee consumed by Walleyes.</p></div><div class=" sec"><div class="title">Conclusion</div><p class="chapter-para">This study revealed that Walleyes consumed various fishes across the LPO system. Although kokanee were the most frequently consumed prey item, native cyprinids and catostomids (combined) occurred at similar proportions. This study contributes to our growing knowledge of the effects of nonnative Walleyes on important salmonids and native fishes in western systems.</p></div> application/pdf 10.1002/nafm.11049 en Oxford Academic Food habits of nonnative Walleyes in Lake Pend Oreille, Idaho article