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5:03 pm
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February 19, 2004
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Recently, I was given a freshly-catch 23 inch Walleye for dinner. While filleting it, I discovered a belly full of eggs. 🙁
This made me inquire as to the possibility of walleye reproduction in our rivers and lakes. I was given the following information by one of our biologist friends, and thought it might help one make an educated decision when the next accidental walleye is caught while muskie fishing....
1) They reproduce in the river, but not well. They apparently have more reproductive success above the Del. Water Gap, but not certain that that statement is absolutely true as it seems that there are more walleye up there. Generally, however, the walleye population in the Delaware is poor in comparison to the Susquehanna. Stocking in the Delaware has already been tried (results monitored too) in the lower, non-tidal Delaware with no success at boosting the population. One fishery location developed, however, through escapement from Nockamixon. That fishery is the winter fishery near the mouth of Tohickon Creek at Point Pleasant. It did not exist prior to the lake's construction. In general, the lower Delaware population does not meet standards for an attractive fishery except at a few locations, such as the one just mentioned.
2) The good news is that the walleye population in the Schuylkill is growing and producing a fishery in some areas. This is a rather new development. Stockings did not used to work very well there either. At least in rivers, it appears that we can't very readily do things better than nature herself, and nature takes over quite nicely once water quality or physical conditions are appropriate and if there is a remnant population to form the basis for the rebirth. This is apparently true for walleye, at least in SE Pa., and it may be true for some other species as well. It is a good lesson for all to keep in mind.
3) Reproduction occurs in some lakes, but not in most SE Pa. lakes. Even the SE Pa. lakes where reproduction occurs are now stocked (did not used to be) because the reproduction is not as good as it once was (Nockamixon, Marburg). The main problems have been bass population growth due to Big Bass regulations and white perch introductions by anglers.
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9:08 pm
March 22, 2004
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Hey Arch,
Interesting read. I, personally, have yet to catch a walleye, accidently or not but will keep that in mind. When do they actually spawn? That will at least give a non-walleye fisherman the knowledge needed to make an informed decision as to whether or not to keep the fish for a munch session.
DL
DL
9:32 pm
hey guys, i can shed a lot of light on this topic. first, the susquehanna is part of the indigenous range for walleye where the delaware and schuyllkill rivers are not. With that said, non indigenous species like walleye tend to have a hard time adapting to certain waterways that mother nature intended for them not to exist. That may be because of PH balances, water clarity, depth etc.....
previous conversations with mike kaufman and other biologists revealed that the walleye reproduction below the easton region is poor, especially the closer to philly you go. That may be due to shallower water, different forgae etc...not sure there. That is why bucks county is no longer part of their river stocking list.
now, back in the 80's, the state of pa use to stock a lot of walleye in the bucks county region. those stockings have stopped becasue of the poor results. the state stocks from northampton county and north. They always have. That is probably why walleye fishing is better up there. as for reproducing, typical results in mother nature are roughly less than 2 percent. Those figures are facts from the state of NY, PA, Minnesota, and florida for any given specie of fish. some fish may get 3 percent but most come in around 2 percent or just shy of 2 percent.
as for the nockamixon fishery producing walleye, that is true to some extent, but a very small extent. research proves that walleye will travel over 100 miles to reach their spawning grounds. they may stay there when spawning is complete or mosey on down the river where they came from. some fish may not make the trek if they find suitable spawning and habitat elsewhere. I would believe that walleye in pt pleasant are their because of condiitons, not because they came from nockamixon. They liked what they found while heading north. a biologist for sure would back me up on that.
in my eyes (no pun intended), the walleye fishery is poor here compared to NY, Ohio and the west, but it is all we have. 2 fish is a typical good day down south here and more fish can be caught as we proceed north on the delaware towards NY state.
i hope that helps.
9:54 pm
June 23, 2004
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Any way you slice it, I hope a couple of those walleys "accidentally" find my jig on Saturday morning...
Capt. Dieter Scheel http://www.BigDRiverGuide.com
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