On the evening of September 14, the DNR conducted an electrofishing survey at Otter Lake to determine and evalu ate walleye year class strength. As part of former Governor Walker's Walleye Initiative Plan, Otter Lake is classified as one of Wisconsin’s Walleye stocking experimental lakes, which requires annual surveys to be conducted.

As mentioned in a previous article, past surveys have indicated a lack of documented natural reproduction of walleyes in Otter Lake. The fisheries staff surveyed the entire shore line where no young-of-year walleyes were captured which indicates walleyes still continue to not reproduce naturally in Otter Lake.

However, the positive news is the survey indicated an above average survival rate of stocked walleyes. Numerous 10-12 inch walleyes were captured, which are the large finger ling walleyes stocked during

the fall of 2021. A number of large fingerling walleyes stocked in the fall of 2019 were captured and averaged approximately 16-17 inches in length which are already of legal size for harvesting.

According to area fish bi –

ologist Joe Gerbyshak, fish eries staff observed an enor- mous amount of forage fish such as crappies and blue gills throughout the electro- fishing process.

The DNR stocks Otter Lake on alternate years at a rate of 10/acre or 6,000+ extended growth walleyes.

Previous surveys have shown exceptional growth rates and good survival of stocked fished. Recent research has indicated that the majority of walleyes stocked by the DNR hatchery system are females, which grow faster and obtain a larger size than males.

This is good news for anglers as there are many fish larger than the protected slot in Otter Lake.

with Al Brown

DNR Water Resources Technician Mycal Raleigh, displays a 27” and 24” walleye recently captured during a DNR electrofishing survey on Otter Lake. Submitted photo.