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Performance Task

Walleye Stocking

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  • Did You Know?

Conservation Plan

Conservation Plan

A lake in Minnesota covers about 10,000 littoral acres and contains about 700,000 walleye that are at least 14 inches long. Researchers estimate that this population declines about 15% each year. Starting this year, the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) plans to stack the lake with fry every year. About 1% of the fry are expected to survive to reach a length of 14 inches, which takes about 4 years.

The DNR wants to stabilize this population at a minimum of 650,000 walleye. Analyze the DNR's plan to determine whether this goal will be achieved. Justify your answer.


photograph of a school of walleye

Did You Know?

  • The walleye is named for its opaque, cloudy-looking eye, which is caused by a reflective layer of pigment called the tapetum lucidum. This layer helps it (and other nocturnal animals) see in low light.
  • Walleye reproduce in the spring or early summer and live about 10 years on average.
  • Walleye can grow up to 3 feet in length and weigh up to 20 pounds.
  • Walleye are native to Canada, the Great Lakes, the Missouri River basin and the upper Mississippi River basin.

Find Out More – Search Topics

  • Walleye
  • Fish stocking

In Minnesota, lakes stocked with walleye receive about 1000 fry per littoral acre or 1 pound of fingerlings per littoral acre.

A littoral acre is a measure of the surface area of a lake where the depth of the water is less than 15 feet.