Walleye Vision: A Research Project for the Drag River Rehabilitation Project

Walleye Vision: A Research Project for the Drag River Rehabilitation Project

Miller, Mark

Mowat, Dave
Drag River Rehabilitation Project 

Wadland, John; Whillans, Tom
Departments: Canadian Studies and Environmental Studies

TPB-180

2000

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Walleye vision and its relevance to spawning

In Haliburton, Ontario, the restoration of the Drag River is being conducted in order to allow walleye a safe place to spawn. Part of this restoration is the aim of creating facilities that will allow for the viewing of this spawning as a learning experience. Unfortunately, there are problems inherent in this. Walleye are dark fish and have developed eyes that are extremely sensitive to light. Because of this, walleye spawn almost entirely at night, making it difficult to watch. Existing common practice, in order to view this interesting part of aquatic life, is the use of flashlights on the area. It is known that light can interfere with normal community interactions of walleye. With this in mind, Dave Mowat of the Drag River Rehabilitation Project proposed this research in order to create an area in which the walleye can spawn safely while, at the same time, allowing humans to watch.

This project deals specifically with the problems of lighting and effects on normal interactions of the walleye in the river. This paper suggests what intensity of light walleye generally live and interact within as well as what colours the eyes will absorb and which ones they won't.

Trent University