GLOBAL JOURNAL OF FISHERIES SCIENCE
Integrity Research Journals
ISSN: 2782-750X
Model: Open Access/Peer Reviewed
DOI: 10.31248/GJFS
Start Year: 2018
Email: gjfs@integrityresjournals.org
Recirculating aquaculture system-reared juvenile walleye survived and grew after stocking in Owen Dam, South Dakota, USA
https://doi.org/10.31248/GJFS2026.104 | Article Number: 6965C9FC2 | Vol.8 (2) - April 2026
Received Date: 25 February 2026 | Accepted Date: 23 April 2026 | Published Date: 30 April 2026
Authors: Andrew S. Marchant , Bill H. Miller , Gene Gallinat , Cody Treft , Jill M. Voorhees and Michael E. Barnes*
Keywords: Post-stocking survival, RAS, walleye.
Recirculating aquaculture system (RAS) technology is increasingly used to produce fish in recreational and conservation fish hatcheries. However, little is known about the post-stocking survival of RAS-reared walleye (Sander vitreus). This study evaluated the survival and growth of RAS-reared walleye stocked in Owen Dam, South Dakota, USA. RAS-reared juvenile walleye were stocked annually from 2023 to 2025. Walleye were collected by both trap nets and electrofishing during every sampling year, except for 2023, when no walleye were caught in trap nets. The total number of walleye captured from both netting and electrofishing was 16 in 2023, 219 in 2024, and 57 in 2025. Catch-per-unit-effort from electrofishing was 48 fish/h in 2023, 3.9 fish/h in 2024, and 44.4 fish/h in 2025. Trap net catch-per-unit effort was 0 in 2023, 35.8 fish/net night in 2024, and 4.0 fish/net night in 2025. Stock-length walleye over 254 mm were obtained from both trap nets and electrofishing during 2024 and 2025. Length-frequency distributions differed among survey years. These results indicate RAS-reared walleye survived and grew following stocking across multiple years in a small reservoir system. These results support the use of RAS as a viable tool for hatchery production of walleye for stocking recreational fishing waters.
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