Thomas R. Bly, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Heber Springs, AR 72543; Carl A. Perrin, Arkansas Game and Fish Commission, Conway, AR 72032

Abstract. A tag reward study was initiated in March 1996, in an effort to obtain information on seasonal migration, annual exploitation, and spawning sub-populations of walleye (Stizostedion vitreum) in Greers Ferry Lake, Arkansas. A total of 516 walleye were captured and tagged during the spawning season with reward tags having values of $5, $20, or $100. A minimum of 125 walleye from each main tributary (South Fork-125, Middle Fork-128, Devil's Fork-131) and the main lake (132) were tagged. Tag returns were corrected for tag loss/mortality and non-reporting of tags. Upon the completion of the first year, there have been 128 tag returns revealing an estimated exploitation rate of 34.9%. Tag returns revealed that walleye traveled an average of 8.4 miles with a minimum distance of 0.0 miles and a maximum distance of 27.0 miles before capture. Tag return data revealed wide dispersal and integration of sub-populations after spawning. Recapture data revealed that 96.7% of recapture, tagged walleye returned to their point of origin to spawn. The harvest of walleye 355 mm and larger was greater than anticipated. Walleye sub-populations are site specific for spawning but readily integrate during the remainder of the year.