Diel movement and home range estimation of Walleye (Sander vitreus) within a no-take urban fishery

Abstract

Home range, movement, and habitat use of Walleye (Sander vitreus) in Onondaga Lake, New York, were determined using active and passive tracking of ultrasonic-tagged Walleye during the summer and fall of 2010 and 2011. Active tracking included bimonthly location surveys of all resident fish and bimonthly 24-h tracking surveys of individuals. Passive tracking was conducted using stationary receivers that were placed in the outlet and major inlets. Walleye in Onondaga Lake exhibit nomadic characteristics with large hourly and daily movements and extensive home and core ranges. Fish moved significantly farther distances per hour and were suspended over deeper water during the evening than during the day. Walleye core and home ranges were concentrated in the northeastern two-thirds of the lake, and there was substantial use of the outlet throughout the summer and fall by a majority of the tagged Walleye. Our findings support the hypothesis that there is a resident population of Walleye within Onondaga Lake during the summer and fall, but those fish exhibit extensive home ranges that include the Onondaga Lake outlet and likely the Seneca River. These results provide further evidence that distribution and movement of Walleye are determined by lake morphometry and forage base.

Keywords

• Walleye
• home range
• diel movement
• ultrasonic telemetry
• habitat utilization