Great Lakes Fishery Commission

Updated 2021-09-23 17:48:44

Lake Erie -> 1.0 Intensively Managed Species -> Walleye

Maintain walleye populations with sustainable levels of adult biomass and fisheries harvest consistent with the walleye management plan

Walleye (Sander vitreus) are a relatively long-lived species, commonly reaching 15-20+ years old. Walleye population status is typically driven by periodic strong year classes and fluctuates accordingly. The Lake Erie Fish Community Objective for walleye is to maintain populations that support sustainable commercial and sport fisheries (Francis et al. 2020). To achieve this objective, a Lake Erie Walleye Management Plan was developed in consultation with the Lake Erie Percid Management Advisory Group (LEPMAG). The Plan establishes objectives for population and fishery sustainability and quality based on historic population status and fishery performance. The population is considered sustainable if there are enough adults to support stable recruitment and long-term fisheries.

The Lake Erie walleye fishery is one of most intensively managed freshwater fisheries in the world and is one of only two (along with Lake Erie yellow perch) Great Lakes fisheries that have Marine Stewardship Council (MSC) sustainability certification. Walleye are assessed using population models that incorporate fishery and agency data to estimate population size and sustainable harvest levels. If the adult population falls below a level of abundance known as the limit reference point, management interventions in the form of harvest reductions are triggered. During the 2016-2020 reporting period, adult walleye biomass was above the limit reference point for all five years with an increasing trend, indicating that the fishery remains sustainable (Figure 1). This increased biomass was driven by several strong hatches since 2014 that boosted Lake Erie’s walleye population (Figure 2).

Sport harvest rate, measured as the number of fish per angler hour (fish/hr), is a measure of the quality of the sport fishery. In consultation with the LEPMAG, a target harvest rate of at least 0.4 fish/hr was established, meaning on average anglers should harvest at least 1 walleye for every 2.5 hours spent fishing. An individual angler’s harvest rate may vary depending on experience and daily fishing conditions. The walleye harvest rate has increased to record levels during the reporting period (average=0.60 fish/hr) and was above the target harvest rate in four of the five years (Figure 3).

Consistent walleye harvest levels are important to the economic sustainability of Ontario’s commercial fishery as well as its markets (i.e., fish processors, retailers, restaurants, and patrons). In consultation with the LEPMAG, a management target of at least 4.0 million pounds of walleye harvest was established. The commercial harvest has increased during the reporting period and exceeded the target each year, averaging 7.0 million pounds (Figure 4).  

Figure 1. Adult biomass (millions of kgs) of walleye in Lake Erie relative to the limit reference point, 1978-2020. The population is considered sustainable if the adult biomass is above the limit reference point.

Figure 2. Abundance (fish/ha) of age-0 walleye caught in interagency trawls in the west basin of Lake Erie relative to the average, 1988-2020.

Figure 3. Sport harvest rate (fish/hr) of walleye in Lake Erie relative to the management target harvest rate of at least 0.4 fish/hr, 1978-2020.

Figure 4. Commercial harvest (millions of lbs) of walleye in Lake Erie relative to the management target of at least 4.0 million pounds, 1978-2020.