Wilbert C Wagner
Marquette Fisheries Research Station
Marquette, Michigan
Abstract.-I assessed walleye egg deposition and juvenile
production from a man-made spawning reef installed in Six Mile
Lake, Michigan, in which no walleye reproduction had previously
been found. In 1981-86 night observations were made at the reef
and along the entire shoreline to determine the number of spawners
using the reef. The maximum number of spawners per observation
seen on the reef each year ranged from 20 (1983 and 1986) to 38
(1984). Walleyes also were seen on a nearby sand-detritus area,
where the maximum number per observation seen each year ranged
from 11 (1982) to 39 (1984). Overall, approximately equal numbers
of spawners were seen at the two areas. Estimated egg deposition
on the reef ranged from 22,000 (1985) to 1,082,000 (1982) and
averaged 501,000. Eggs were deposited on the sand-detritus area,
but no estimate was made of the total number. Juvenile walleye
production was assessed by estimating the number of age- 1 walleye
present in the lake the following year. To assess production on
the sand-detritus area in 1985 and 1986, walleyes were allowed
to spawn on the reef, then the eggs were killed with Antimycin.
The mean estimated number of age-1 walleyes was 2.3 times higher
during years without Antimycin treatment compared to years with
treatment. But the difference between non-treatment and treatment
years was not statistically significant at the 95% level. Degradation
of the reef by siltation was slight during its first 7 years;
no settling into the sand occurred nearshore. Also estimated were
the number and mean lengths of walleyes, bluegills, pumpkinseeds,
and bullheads in June 1980-87; depth distribution of walleyes
in June as determined by fyke nets; and changes in benthos due
to the change in substrate when the reef was installed.