Hooking Mortality of Walleyes Caught on Live and Artificial Baits

The potential benefits of catch and release or protective size limits in recreational fisheries for walleye Stizostedion vitreum can only be realized if released fish survive. In this study, hooking mortality rates were determined for adult walleyes caught on leeches and artificial lures in two Minnesota ponds. The mortality of walleyes caught and released by anglers in Klawitter's Pond was 5%, though confidence intervals indicated that hooking mortality could have been as high as 23%. Mortality of walleyes caught on leeches (10%) was higher than mortality for walleyes caught on artificial lures (0%). An estimate of hooking mortality in Clubhouse Pond, unadjusted for natural mortality, was 16%. Walleyes caught on artificial lures were hooked primarily in the lips, whereas fish caught with leeches tended to be hooked more deeply in the throat and gut. Walleyes caught on leeches were smaller than those caught with artificial lures and were more likely to be males. Catch rates were similar for live and artificial baits but varied between the two ponds and 2 years of study. Low hooking mortality suggests that release of angler-caught walleyes has the potential to expand recreational fishing opportunities.