Status of Walleye Populations at Bourque, Goodfish and Seibert Lakes, Alberta, 2006
Author(s)
Brendan Ganton and Bill Patterson
Summary
In an effort to contribute to effective management of walleye stocks in Alberta, the Alberta Conservation Association (ACA) conducted gill netting surveys on Bourque, Goodfish and Seibert lakes from 19 September to 4 October 2006 using the Fall Walleye Index Netting (FWIN) protocol. FWIN provides an estimate of both stock abundance and population structure and is used by Alberta Sustainable Resource Development as a tool to sustainably manage the sport fishery.
Data from Bourque Lake suggest that in 2006 the walleye population had a broad and stable age-class distribution, though the catch rate of each year class was low (< 2 walleye/100 m2/24 h). The mean age of walleye sampled was 4.9 years. The fishery was composed of moderately fast-growing and early-maturing fish. The catch rate of walleye was 9.3 walleye/100 m2/24 h.
Data from Goodfish Lake suggest that in 2006 the walleye population had a narrow and unstable age-class distribution. The mean age of walleye sampled was 5.2 years, and the fishery was composed of slow-growing, moderately early-maturing fish. The catch rate of walleye was 14.6 walleye/100 m2/24 h.
Data from Seibert Lake suggest that in 2006 the walleye population had a broad ageclass distribution, primarily supported by three strong age classes. The mean age of walleye sampled was 5.7 years, and the fishery was composed of slow-growing, earlymaturing fish. The catch rate of walleye was 14.8 walleye/100 m2 /24 h.