First-year growth of the walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (Mitchill), and associated factors in the Red Lakes, Minnesota

First-year growth of the walleye, Stizostedion vitreum vitreum (Mitchill), was studied from 4,544 fish collected during the first summer of life in the Red Lakes in six seasons and from back calculations on 4,474 fish one year or more in age representing 17 year classes. Sexes did not differ in growth rate. Growth within the season varied greatly in different years and total growth deviated as much as 15.3% from the mean of the entire period. Water temperature, size of brood, and abundance of large walleyes and perch did not affect growth rate. Very early or late spawning influenced total growth during the season and final size and goodness or poorness of a season's growth was determined by the middle of July. Growth rate of young-of-the-year perch and total use of perch as food did not significantly influence growth. Incidence of perch in walleye stomachs ranged from 10.9 to 98.0% and spottail shiner was a more important food item in most years than perch. Total first- year growth of the walleye was apparently determined before fish became a major item in the diet.