04-02-2014, 05:20 PM
Another good quote…
"We believe several factors contribute to prey depletion by walleye. First, reservoir water level fluctuations often result in wide annual fluctuations in abundance of yellow perch and other prey fishes; thus, walleye deplete the food supply in years of low forage abundance. Second, the lack of cover in many reservoirs during summer drawdown makes prey fishes highly vulnerable to walleye predation even during years of high reproduction of prey. This effect is exacerbated during successive years of poor reproductive success of prey and low water levels. Third, when recruitment of one prey species is low, alternate forage is often not available because of typically low prey diversity in western reservoirs."
What is the result of these prey depletions? A stunted walleye or pike fishery!
Again, sound familiar? This fits Utah walleye and pike fisheries just about perfectly...
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"We believe several factors contribute to prey depletion by walleye. First, reservoir water level fluctuations often result in wide annual fluctuations in abundance of yellow perch and other prey fishes; thus, walleye deplete the food supply in years of low forage abundance. Second, the lack of cover in many reservoirs during summer drawdown makes prey fishes highly vulnerable to walleye predation even during years of high reproduction of prey. This effect is exacerbated during successive years of poor reproductive success of prey and low water levels. Third, when recruitment of one prey species is low, alternate forage is often not available because of typically low prey diversity in western reservoirs."
What is the result of these prey depletions? A stunted walleye or pike fishery!
Again, sound familiar? This fits Utah walleye and pike fisheries just about perfectly...
[signature]