Relations of Gill-Net Catches of Walleyes and Angler Catch Rates in Ohio Waters of Western Lake Erie

Abstract

Catches of walleye Stizostedion vitreum in fall gill-net surveys in western Lake Erie were good indicators of angler catch rates the following summer. Experimental gill nets fished near the lake surface and at the bottom efficiently captured enough walleyes to determine relative densities of individual age-groups. Simple linear models with surface gill-net catches as independent variables explained 85–97% of the variability in angler catch rates. Slopes of the relations indicated that walleyes were less vulnerable to angling at ages 2 and 3 than at ages 4 and 5. Relations of bottom gill-net catches to angler catch rates were not as well defined and indicated significant differences only between ages 3 and 5. These findings illustrate the value of fall gill-net surveys in western Lake Erie for predicting walleye sport catches and evaluating potential sport-fishery regulations.