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Document Type

Thesis - University Access Only

Award Date

1994

Degree Name

Master of Science (MS)

Department / School

Wildlife and Fisheries Science

First Advisor

David W. Willis

Keywords

walleye, sauger, walleye sauger hybrid, south dakota

Abstract

I evaluated the utility of external traits for the correct field distinction between small (length) age-o and age-1 walleyes Stizostedion vitreum and saugeyes (walleye X sauger Stizostedion canadense hybrids) collected from South Dakota lakes. Fishes were collected in early fall by electrofishing in both 1992 and 1993. Walleyes and saugeyes were identified using horizontal starch gel electrophoresis and histochemical staining procedures for the supernatant form of phosphoglucomutase (PGM-1). External characteristics did not reliably distinguish walleyes and saugeyes until fishes were 18 cm and longer. I compared walleye and saugeye survival and growth in two turbid impoundments, Lakes Richmond and Mina, and in Lake Herman, a shallow, rough-fish dominated natural lake. Historically, walleye stockings in all three of these waters met with limited success. Walleye and saugeye were stocked concurrently in Lakes Richmond and Mina in 1992 and 1993 and in Lake Herman in 1993. Age-0 and age-1 percids (walleyes and saugeyes) were sampled in 1992 and 1993 by electrofishing in early fall. Saugeye survival and growth in Lakes Richmond and Mina demonstrated no consistent trends and saugeye and walleye performance in both lakes can be characterized as poor. Evidence suggesting large scale predation by black crappies Pomoxis nigromaculatus immediately following stocking may, at least in part, explain this lack of success. However, in Lake Herman, where black crappie density was relatively low, saugeye survival was high. We captured over three times as many saugeyes (48.0/h) as walleyes (14.8/h) per hour of electrofishing in 1993. In addition, saugeye mean length was about 20 mm greater than for concurrently-stocked walleyes. Saugeye population dynamics and food habits were determined from samples obtained from all saugeye waters statewide. Saugeye growth in South Dakota compared favorably with other similar studies within the midwest. Saugeye growth in South Dakota was fastest in Lacreek National Wildlife Refuge. Food habits were similar for concurrently-stocked saugeyes and walleyes in Lakes Richmond and Mina in 1992 and 1993, and in Lake Herman in 1993. However, food items varied among water boides.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

Walleye (Fish)
Sauger
Fish stocking -- South Dakota

Description

Includes bibliographical references (page 64-70)

Format

application/pdf

Number of Pages

86

Publisher

South Dakota State University

Rights

Copyright © 1994 Mark Flammang

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