Feature Article August 7, 2003
LAND O' LAKES NewsWeb HomeWalleye Fingerlings Freeloading at Rivendell Golf Course
Several years ago, when Rivendell Golf Club expanded to 18 holes, one of their new ponds was designed for walleye culture. Since then it has been used several times by volunteers with the local Community Fish and Wildlife Improvement Program (CFWIP) for advanced walleye fingerling production. Advanced fingerlings are produced when several hundred 2 3 fingerlings are captured from one of the local CFWIP ponds and released into the golf course pond in early July. By this time, naturally occurring minnows have reproduced profusely, providing natural food for the fingerlings, which grow at a remarkable rate almost one inch per week! In about mid August when theyre removed, they measure about seven inches. Recovery numbers range from about one half to two thirds of the original release population. Too bad we dont have about five of those ponds in the area!
This July 5, about 300 three inch fingerlings were released into the pond, brought from a seining of the Don Lee Pond. By July 31, a sample catch showed that the fingerlings had doubled in length to six inches, and the minnow population in the golf clubs pond had dropped significantly. The walleye will be removed from this pond and released in one of the area lakes.
Many thanks from the CFWIP volunteers to Rivendell Golf Course for its support and cooperation in providing a few more angling opportunities in our area waters.
