Analysis of Community Interactions Between Walleye Sander vitreus and Other Recreationally Important Species

Recreational fisheries within Ontario provide economic benefits for a variety of industries such as tackle retailers and tourism establishments.  Walleye (Sander vitreus) is one of the most intensively fished species within Ontario.  Fisheries management plans, which guide decisions about fishing regulations, are usually based on multiple single species objectives and rarely consider community effects that may produce conflicting management objects.    Several studies specific to walleye demonstrate predation on juvenile walleye by other important recreational species, however, these studies have typically been the basis for stocking decisions, rather than quantifying the impact on adult walleye abundance.  Between 1997 and 2001 the Ontario Ministry of Natural Resources conducted Fall Walleye Index Netting surveys on 406 lakes widely dispersed across the province.   Using the catch per unit effort from these surveys we investigated interactions between walleye abundance and the abundance of other recreationally important species.  This research identifies important relationships that can be used by managers to establish fisheries objectives that consider community effects.