| WALLEYE FEED TRAINING IN CAGES AND THE EFFECTS OF
DIETARY PROTEIN AND STOCKING DENSITY ON GROWTH IN PONDS Shawn D. Coyle and James H. Tidwell, Aquaculture Research Center, Kentucky
State University, Frankfort, KY 40601
Abstract. Walleye (Stizostedion vitreum)
were evaluated under pond production conditions for 3 years. Walleye fingerlings (13.1 g)
were feed trained in cages (3.5 m3) suspended in ponds using automatic feeders.
After 47 days, 45% of the initial population was healthy and actively feeding. Feed
trained fingerlings (19.9 g) were then stocked into six 0.04 ha ponds at 18,525 fish/ha
and fed a 40% protein diet once daily to satiation. After 184 days (first summer growth
season), fingerlings averaged 97.3 g. The second season compared growth of juvenile
walleye (127.5 g) fed practical diets containing two protein levels (44 and 53%). At the
end of 12 months (November 1995-November 1996) fish fed the 53% protein diet had higher
individual weights (352.6 g) than fish fed the 44% protein diet (306 g). The third season
compared fish growth at two stocking densities: 2,875 fish/ha and 5,750 fish/ha. After 163
days, weight gain was greater for fish stocked at 2,875 fish/ha than at 5,750 (147.8 and
109.4 g, respectively) as was specific growth rates (0.91 and 0.67, respectively).
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