A Biological Synopsis of Walleye (Sander vitreus) G.F. Hartman Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science Branch, Pacific Region Pacific Biological Station 3190 Hammond Bay Road Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 6N7 2009 Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2888 Fisheries and Oceans Peches ef Oceans 1+1 Canada Canada Canada Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences Manuscript reports contain scientific and technical information that contributes to existing knowledge but which deals with national or regional problems. Distribution is restricted to institutions or individuals located in particular regions of Canada. However, no restriction is placed on subject matter, and the series reflects the broad interests and policies ofthe Department ofFisheries and Oceans, namely, fisheries and aquatic sciences. Manuscript reports may be cited as full publications. The correct citation appears above the abstract of each report. 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Canadian Manuscript Report of Fisheries and Aquatic Sciences 2888 2009 A BIOLOGICAL SYNOPSIS OF WALLEYE (Sander vitreus) by G.F. Hartman' Fisheries and Oceans Canada Science Branch, Pacific Region Pacific Biological Station 3190 Hammond Bay Road Nanairno, BC V9T6N7 1Fisheries Research and Education Services 1217 Rose Ann Drive, Nanaimo, B.C. V9T 3Z4 ii © Her Majesty the Queen in Right of Canada, 2009 Cat. No. Fs 97-4/ 2888E ISSN 0706-6473 Correct citation for this publication: Hartman, G.F. 2009. A biological synopsis of walleye (Sander vitreus). Can. Manuscr. Rep. Fish. Aquat. Sci. 2888: v + 48 p. iii TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT.......................................................................................................... V 1.0 INTRODUCTION ...........................................................................................1 1.1 NAME, CLASSIFICATION AND IDENTIFIERS...........................................1 1.2 DESCRIPTION............................................................................................1 2.0 DISTRIBUTION..............................................................................................3 2.1 GLOBAL NATIVE DISTRIBUTION .............................................................3 2.2 NATIVE DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ........................................................4 2.3 NON-NATIVE DISTRIBUTION IN CANADA ...............................................4 2.3.1 Expansion of distribution in British Columbia........................................5 2.4 MODES OF INVASION...............................................................................5 3.0 BIOLOGY AND NATURAL HISTORY............................................................6 3.1 AGE AND GROWTH...................................................................................6 3.2 PHYSIOLOGICAL TOLERANCES .............................................................7 3.2.1 Temperature ........................................................................................8 3.2.2 Oxygen ................................................................................................8 3.2.3 pH ........................................................................................................8 3.2.4 Pollution ...............................................................................................9 3.3 REPRODUCTION .....................................................................................10 3.3.1 Maturation...........................................................................................10 3.3.2 Fecundity............................................................................................10 3.3.3 Spawning habitat................................................................................11 3.3.4 Pre-spawning movements and spawning behavior ...........................11 3.3.5 Spawning time and behavior .............................................................12 3.3.6 Hatching and larval growth ................................................................12 3.4 FEEDING AND DIET.................................................................................13 3.4.1 First diets and feeding ontogeny ........................................................13 3.4.2 Cannibalism........................................................................................14 3.4.3 Diet in a natural habitat.......................................................................14 3.4.4 Special attributes-sight and feeding....................................................15 3.5 HABITAT ...................................................................................................15 3.5.1 Adult habitat........................................................................................16 3.5.2 Young-of-the-year (YOY) habitat........................................................16 3.6 BEHAVIOR AND MOVEMENTS ..............................................................17 3.6.1 Movement of fry and juveniles............................................................17 3.6.2 Diel movements .................................................................................17 3.6.3 Non-spawning movements.................................................................18 3.6.4 Spawning movements........................................................................18 iv 3.6.5 Swimming speed and capacity to pass barriers .................................19 3.7 DISEASES AND PARASITES ...................................................................21 3.7.1 Viral disease........................................................................................21 3.7.2 Fungal disease ...................................................................................21 3.7.3 Bacterial disease.................................................................................21 3.7.4 Parasites............................................................................................22 4.0 USE BY HUMANS .......................................................................................22 4.1 RECREATIONAL FISHERY......................................................................22 4.2 STOCKING................................................................................................23 4.2.1 Stocking in Canada.............................................................................23 4.2.2 Evaluation of stocking.........................................................................24 4.3 COMMERCIAL FISHERIES......................................................................25 4.4 AQUACULTURE.......................................................................................26 5.0 IMPACTS ASSOCIATED WITH INTRODUCTIONS ...................................27 5.1 IMPACTS ON ZOOPLANKTON AND BENTHIC