Factors Affecting First-Year Growth of Fishes in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin

Abstract

First-year growth of walleye Stizostedion vitreum, sauger S. canadense, yellow perch Perca flavescens, white bass Morone chrysops, freshwater drum Aplodinotus grunniens, and troutperch Percopsis omiscomaycus, in Lake Winnebago, Wisconsin, between 1962 and 1984 was summarized, based on the catch in experimental bottom trawls. Fall lengths predicted from a von Bertalanffy growth curve were taken as an index of first-year growth and compared to population abundance of various species, air temperatures, and water levels with multiple regression. Temperature was the most significant influence on growth. All species showed a positive relationship between growth and summer temperatures. Spawning date, as reflected in spring temperatures and water levels, was also an important predictor of growth for all species. There was strong evidence for intra- and interspecific competition among the most abundant species.