Movement of Walleye, Stizostedion vitreum, in Lake Bemidji, Minnesota as Determined by Radio-biotelemetry

Abstract

The daily and seasonal movements of the walleye, Stizostedion vitreum, were studied by use of a VHF radio‐tag system for three seasons each year during 1973 and 1974 in Lake Bemidji, a large eutrophic lake in north central Minnesota. The walleye moved parallel to the shore and did not show a diel on‐shore and off‐shore movement pattern. Submerged projections on the lake bottom such as rock bars or spits tended to serve as boundaries of the ranges within which the test fish moved. Large movements of tagged fish coincided with extensive periods of heavy cloud cover and precipitation. Wind speed and direction also appeared to influence fish movement especially when the fetch was large. Marked daily changes in water temperature and dissolved oxygen concentration did not occur, and, thus, had little effect on the movement of test fish. There were slight seasonal changes in the extent of the daily movement of test fish, but the depth ranges shown by the tagged fish did not change greatly for each season.

Status and Ecology of Walleye (Sander vitreus) in the Upper Wabash River, Indiana

“…These limited movements of tagged individuals during the summer are similar to the results of other studies (Holt et al 1977, Paragamian 1989). Walleye are not active during summer months.…”

“…As with other species, walleye movements vary with geographic location and season (Holt et al 1977, Paragamian 1989. The greatest movements occur in the spring and fall (Holt et al 1977, Paragamian 1989, and decreased movements occur during the summer with higher water temperatures (Holt et a1 1977).…”

“…The greatest movements occur in the spring and fall (Holt et al 1977, Paragamian 1989, and decreased movements occur during the summer with higher water temperatures (Holt et a1 1977). Lack of movement of tagged individuals has been identified by tagging studies (Hubley 1963, Gangl et al 2000.…”

Movement of walleye in an impounded reach of the Au Sable River, Michigan, USA

“…Walleye Stizostedion vitruem make long-range movements associated with spawning and foraging in the Great Lakes (Furguson & Dersken 1971, Haas et al 1988, inland lakes (Holt et al 1977, Diana et al 1990, and rivers (Rawson 1957, Paragamian 1989. Distribution of feeding, spawning, and overwintering habitats affects long-range movements of stream fishes (Schlosser 1991).…”

Movement Patterns of Walleye (Stizostedion v. vitreum)in Pool 3 of the Upper Mississippi River as Determined by Ultrasonic Telemetry

“…Bahr also reported a definite diel activity pattern with activity peaks at 0230, 0630, 1130 and 1830 hours. Kelso (1976) and Holt et al (1977) also conducted telemetry studies of walleyes. Kelso, in West Blue Lake, Manitoba, found that walleyes were confined to the homothermous epilimnion during September and October and that midbasin crossings of the lake were infrequent.…”