John D. Williams, Kentucky Department of Fish and Wildlife Resources, 2073 North Highway 25W, Williamsburg, KY 40769

Abstract. Walleye Stizostedion vitreum movement, distribution, and habitat use in Laurel River Lake were determined by radio-tracking 35 walleye for 605 days (mean = 249 days) from March 1994 through November 1995. The goal of this study was to increase the angler utilization of walleye, a put-grow-take fishery in Laurel River Lake. Walleye movement (as measured in distance between weekly locations) was highest during the spring (median = 120 m/day) and lowest during the summer (median = 53 m/day). Maximum area encompassed by walleye varied from 33-1,547 ha, with 82% of walleye encompassing areas > 300 ha. Activity areas ranged from 2-590 ha with 75% of walleye utilizing areas <300 ha. During the summer, most walleye confined their activities to specific areas of the lake and were often located in the same area during consecutive weeks. Walleye were widely distributed throughout the lake during each season, although only two walleye remained in the upper Laurel River arm during July and August, probably due to lack of coolwater habitat (<25^oC) in that section. Walleye predominately utilized standing timber located only in the coves on an annual basis (54%) and even more (60%) in the summer. During summer stratification (June-August), walleye selected water temperatures averaging 23.0^oC for a mean depth of 6.1 m. Walleye gradually moved deeper as summer progressed, which coincided with an increase in the median depth of the thermocline. Walleye were most active at night, with mean peak movements occurring near dusk (2100-2200 h), at 0300-0400 h, and near dawn (0600-0700 h). Walleye typically moved out of the timbered coves at night and either traveled along the shoreline, suspended at the edge of timber near the mouth of the cove, or suspended in open water in the main lake. Walleye usually returned to the same cove by morning, although walleye occasionally returned to a nearby cove. A report on the findings of the study was provided to anglers in an "angler report" during the spring 1997. Walleye harvest and angler success are expected to increase in Laurel River Lake as anglers use this information.