Water Bodies in Michigan’s Eastern Lower Peninsula Stocked with Nearly 1.7 Million Walleye
The Department of Natural Resources announced today its annual walleye pond harvest and stocking of walleye fingerlings in east-central and northeast Michigan has been completed. The DNR Fisheries Division’s Southern Lake Huron Management Unit stocked nearly 1.7 million walleye fingers in 30 inland lakes located in 20 counties.
Walleye ponds are a critical component of the DNR’s fisheries management and have been used for several decades. There are dozens of walleye ponds located throughout Michigan, and all rely heavily on the support of sportsmen’s organizations.
Walleye fingerlings are reared in small ponds for 50 to 60 days, where they eat tiny aquatic animals called zooplankton. They are harvested and stocked into public waters when they are 1.5 to 2 inches long. These fish will grow to legal size in four to five years.
“These ponds are an excellent collaborative effort involving the DNR and local angling groups” said Jim Baker, Southern Lake Huron Management Unit supervisor. “These organizations help out financially and supply volunteers to help with fertilization, pond maintenance and fish harvest.”
Sportsmen’s organizations that collaborate with DNR on the walleye-rearing program for east-central and northeast Michigan include the Saginaw Bay Walleye Club, the Arenac County Walleye Club and Walleyes for Iosco County.
See a complete summary of this walleye stocking, including specific counties and lakes.
