Michigan Department of Natural Resources
Fisheries Research Report No. 1959, 1990

Evaluation of a Man-Made Walleye Spawning Reef


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.