Spirit Lake, and East and West Okoboji Lakes support important walleye fisheries. In addition, these lakes are the main source of broodstock walleye for the Spirit Lake Hatchery. The densities of walleye in these lakes are not sufficient to meet the demands of the angler or to satisfy the needs of the Spirit Lake Hatchery. This investigation examined the reasons why the densities of walleye were lower than desired, and will provide recommendations to increase densities of walleyes in these lakes. Results so far indicate that inconsistent recruitment, not the angler, was the primary reason for the low densities and harvests of walleye.

Most large fingerling walleyes perished within 2-5 weeks after they were stocked, and this high post-stocking mortality was size related. Stocking the current size of fingerlings will continue to prevent the realization of our objectives. Eight-inch fall fingerlings are needed to accomplish present management objectives, therefore, a concerted effort will be made to consistently produce 8-inch fingerling walleyes at the Spirit Lake Hatchery. Computer modeling indicated that stocking these large fingerling fish would increase densities of walleyes 3-4 times in these lakes, however, more research is needed to determine the survival and costs of these large 8-inch fingerling fish.