Response of walleye and yellow perch to water‐level fluctuations in glacial lakes |
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| Authors: | D J Dembkowski S R Chipps B G Blackwell |
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| Institution: | 1. Department of Natural Resource Management, South Dakota State University, , Brookings, SD, USA;2. U.S. Geological Survey, South Dakota Cooperative Fish and Wildlife Research Unit, , Brookings, SD, USA;3. South Dakota Department of Game, Fish and Parks, , Webster, SD, USA |
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| Abstract: | The influence of water levels on population characteristics of yellow perch, Perca flavescens (Mitchill), and walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), was evaluated across a range of glacial lakes in north‐eastern South Dakota, USA. Results showed that natural variation in water levels had an important influence on frequently measured fish population characteristics. Yellow perch abundance was significantly (P < 0.10) greater during elevated water levels. Yellow perch size structure, as indexed by the proportional size distribution of quality‐ and preferred‐length fish (PSD and PSD‐P), was significantly greater during low‐water years, as was walleye PSD. Mean relative weight of walleye increased significantly during high‐water periods. The dynamic and unpredictable nature of water‐level fluctuations in glacial lakes ultimately adds complexity to management of these systems. |
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| Keywords: | condition glacial lakes population size structure relative abundance water levels |
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