Trophic Ecology of Juvenile Walleye (Sander
vitreus) in Culture Situations
Timothy Repicky
Because of its importance as game fish throughout the country, the walleye Sander vitreus is often the target of stocking programs. The efficiency of stocking is often dependent upon the efficiency of culturing large numbers of healthy young walleye. My research will investigate several factors affecting this efficiency and will focus on two distinct, yet crucial elements of rearing success. We will compare the effects of diet on growth in extensive culture (pond rearing) situations, and investigate the phenomenon of “cohort cannibalism”, often seen in intensive culture (laboratory rearing) situations, on culture productivity. The information gained from this research will help to shed light on the requirements of and unique trophic interactions between cultured walleye and their environment.