FOX RIVER STATUS REPORT SUMMARY
WALLEYE AND SAUGER: Walleye were sampled at 8 locations in 2004 as part of the fall smallmouth bass survey. The sampling stations, located between Elgin and Oswego, were also sampled in fall of 2001. Additional walleye samples were taken at a different set of stations during the 2002 Fox River Basin Survey.
The total abundance of walleye was somewhat lower in 2004 compared to the previous years (see table below). However, catch rate of the larger size groups has not changed much since 2001. These results suggests lower abundance of small individuals in 2004. Reproduction of walleye in the medium-sized rivers of Northern Illinois like the Fox, Rock and Kankakee Rivers is known to be very sporadic. Natural reproduction in the upper and mid Fox River may be supplemented by downstream migration of walleye from the Fox Chain-O-Lakes, which has an intensive stocking program.
Number
of walleye collected per hour in the Fox River |
||||
| Size Class | Length Range |
2001 |
2004 |
2002 |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Total | All sizes |
9.78 |
4.18 |
7.35 |
| Stock | >10 in |
2.78 |
2.46 |
1.80 |
| Quality | >15 in |
1.45 |
1.84 |
1.20 |
| Preferred | >20 in |
0.13 |
0.25 |
0.90 |
Since1999, annual stocking of 20,000 - 30,000 walleye fingerlings (2 in)
have been made in the free-flowing sections of the Fox River in Kendall
County. Electrofishing catch rates of walleye in Kendall County have been
similar to those found in upstream areas, ranging from 4-12 per hour.
Anglers have also reported reasonably good success, with most fish in
the 14-18 inch range.
NORTHERN PIKE: No Northern Pike were collected in 2003 during 6 hours of electrofishing at locations from the State Line to Wedron. Lack of spawning habitat (except in the upper river and Chain-O-Lakes), the presence of many dams, and competition from muskie, may be limiting factors.
