Effect of Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum vitreum) Predation on Juvenile Mortality and Recruitment of Yellow Perch (Perca flavescens) in Oneida Lake, New York

The abundance of 12 year-classes of yellow perch (Perca flavescens) in Oneida Lake, New York, was estimated at intervals between ages 0 and II from catch and area swept by trawls. Rankings of abundance of year-classes changed between the ends of the first and third growing seasons, suggesting that ultimate year-class strength was influenced strongly by mortality of age I and II fish. Predation by walleyes was probably the principal cause of mortality of age I and II perch. Although frequency of occurrence of age I and II perch in stomachs of walleyes was low, several lines of evidence suggested that density of juvenile perch also was low and that walleyes consumed a large proportion of each perch cohort. Rates of mortality were modified by perch length, perch density, and density of age 0 perch, all of which relate to intensity of walleye predation.Key words: yellow perch, walleye; mortality, predation; Oneida Lake