Caught in the Act! - Michigan DNR’s Secret Nighttime Hunt for Walleye Revealed

A Michigan Department of Natural Resources crew conducts a nighttime electrofishing survey.Photo byMichigan Dept. Of Natural Resources

The Michigan Department of Natural Resources begins its annual nighttime walleye surveys to assess young populations, vital for sustainable fisheries management.

Starting in late September, the Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) will embark on its annual fall surveys of young walleye populations, a key step in monitoring the health and sustainability of the species in the state's lakes. The DNR will be using electrofishing boats to capture and study young-of-year walleye, a method that allows researchers to gather data on both wild and stocked fish populations. The surveys will continue through early October.

A Nighttime Operation for Efficient Data Collection

Walleye, a species that tends to inhabit deeper and cooler parts of lakes during the day, are more easily captured when they move into shallow, nearshore areas at night. To take advantage of this nocturnal behavior, DNR personnel will use electrofishing boats, equipped with bright lights and a generator, to safely stun and collect the young fish.

These nighttime operations will be conducted on a range of Michigan lakes, some of which are regularly stocked with walleye. The DNR crews will focus on shallow areas near the shoreline, where the young walleye are most likely to be found. By sampling both stocked and non-stocked lakes, the surveys will provide a clearer picture of natural reproduction rates and the success of stocking efforts.

Understanding Walleye Recruitment: Wild vs. Stocked

A key goal of these surveys is to differentiate between walleye that were born in the wild and those that were stocked earlier in the year. This is done by collecting a sample of young-of-year walleye from lakes known to be stocked. The walleye that have been stocked are marked with oxytetracycline, a chemical marker that leaves a distinct band on their bones and can be detected under a microscope in the lab.

"By analyzing these markers, we can determine whether the young walleye we’re seeing are the result of natural reproduction or our stocking efforts," said a DNR fisheries biologist. "This information is crucial for making informed management decisions about stocking practices and habitat management."

Collaborative Efforts Across Agencies

This year’s surveys will see increased collaboration with tribal natural resource departments, which will conduct some surveys independently of the DNR. In the Upper Peninsula, the U.S. Forest Service will also participate in the surveys within the Hiawatha National Forest. This cooperative approach aims to build a long-term dataset on inland lakes that are managed for walleye populations, offering a more comprehensive understanding of the species’ status across the state.

“Working together with tribal agencies and the Forest Service allows us to expand our reach and gather more consistent data, which is beneficial for all parties involved in managing these fisheries,” said a DNR spokesperson.

Safety Precautions and Public Awareness

During these nighttime operations, safety remains a priority. The DNR urges anyone fishing or boating near the survey areas to exercise caution around electrofishing boats. The equipment used can be hazardous, and crews will ask anyone wading in the water to exit when a survey boat approaches.

The boats will use bright lights to illuminate the water around them, which, along with the noise of the onboard generator, may make it difficult for anglers and lake residents to communicate with the crews. However, the DNR assures that all captured walleye, aside from the few taken for laboratory analysis, will be released unharmed back into their habitats.

Implications for Fisheries Management

The data collected from these surveys are critical for the DNR’s fisheries management programs. Understanding the balance between naturally reproducing walleye and those introduced through stocking helps refine strategies for maintaining healthy fish populations and ecosystems.

“Walleye are a popular game fish in Michigan, and their populations are a key indicator of the health of our inland lakes,” noted a fisheries manager. “These surveys are one of the ways we ensure that anglers will continue to enjoy successful walleye fishing in the future.”

As these surveys continue, the DNR encourages the public to stay informed about their efforts and to participate in discussions about fisheries management. For more information on how the DNR manages Michigan’s fisheries, visit their website.

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