Estimates of loss rates of jaw tags on walleyes

The rate of jaw tag loss was evaluated for walleye Stizostedion vitreum in Escanaba Lake, Wisconsin. We estimated tag loss using two recapture methods, a creel census and fykenetting. Average annual tag loss estimates were 17.5% for fish recaptured by anglers and 27.8% for fish recaptured in fyke nets. However, fyke-net data were biased by tag loss during netting. The loss rate of jaw tags increased with time and walleye length.