Exploitation of walleye in a Great Plains reservoir: harvest patterns and management scenarios

This study assessed exploitation and evaluated management options for walleye, Sander vitreus (Mitchill), in Glen Elder Reservoir, Kansas. A total of 2429 walleye varying from 240 to 687 mm was tagged with Carlin dangler tags during 2000-2003. After correcting for tag loss and non-reporting, exploitation of walleye was estimated as 68.3%. More than 85% of the tagged walleye were harvested during April to June and 75% were harvested within 6 months after tagging. A Beverton-Holt yield-per-recruit model was used to evaluate six min- imum length limits varying from 250 to 610 mm. Given current exploitation rates, population demographics and harvest regulations (381-mm minimum length limit), the walleye population is probably experiencing recruitment overfishing. Model results suggested that a 610-mm minimum length limit would be required to prevent growth overfishing and a 533-mm or longer minimum length limit would prevent recruitment overfishing.