With the assistance of the Walker Area Walleye Coalition in 2006, we improved the walleye stocking on Little Boy from stocking fry every three years to every two years.  In 2008, we again improved the stocking program to include annual fry stocking and "contingency stocking" of fingerlings - see the DNR Fisheries Management Plans for full information on the new stocking program.  In 2011, the DNR agreed to extend our current stocking plan through 2015.

 

In May of 2009, 2010, and 2011, 500,000 walleye fry were stocked in Little Boy.  On May 29, 2008, Little Boy was stocked with 860,000 walleye fry.  Bud Anderson was on hand to witness the stocking of these fish.  Little Boy was also stocked with 800,000 fry in 2006.

 

 

We have the preliminary report in PDF format.  The final full report will be completed in the winter after the DNR does the aging of the fish.  Click the link below for the DNR's preliminary report.

 

 

On October 1, 2008, the DNR performed electrofishing targeting Young of the Year walleye (YOY).  They counted 51.7 YOY/hour, which is actually quite good.  This level of YOY will not trigger the contingency stocking discussed above.  Randy Helland was along on the electrofishing runs.  Click on the link below for the DNR's preliminary report.

 

 

On October 22, 2009, the DNR again performed electrofishing targeting Young of the Year (YOY) walleye.  They counted 33 YOY/hour.  Randy H was again along on the electrofishing run.  Click the link below for the DNR's preliminary report.

 

 

On September 29, 2010, the DNR electrofished targeting YOY walleye.  They counted 67/hour.  The preliminary report will be posted as soon as it is available.

 

 

In the chart below, the blue line represents walleye counts per net.  You can see the 2005 and 2006 counts were some of the lowest since 1955.  This is the reason we asked the DNR to go to a every other year fry stocking program in 2006.  In 2007-2008, we asked the DNR to further alter the Little Boy stocking program (see the DNR Lake Plans tab for full information).

 

The CPUE (Catch Per Unit of Effort- which in this case is number of walleyes per net) is shown in the graph below.

 

 

 

The mean length and weight are shown below for the walleye fishery:

 

The PSD and RSD-P measure the size structure of a fishery and the relative weights also indicate fishery size structure.

 

Gill net Results - July 2008

This chart shows the length frequency of walleye taken in the last four gill nettings. 

The data for 2006 shows a high number of 12-14 inch fish, but not many other size fish.  In the age frequency data (which is not shown here) it was found that 66% of the netted walleyes were from one year class - the 2003 year class (which was a stocked year).  This is part of the reason we asked for the "contingency stocking" program.

 

The DNR completed gill netting the week of July 21, 2008. The graph shows a couple of interesting points.
1. Most of the larger walleyes are gone.
2. Fry were stocked in 1999 and had grown to about 10-13 inch fish in 2002. Fry were stocked in 2003 and had grown to about 10-13 inch fish in 2006. Fry were stocked in 2006 and had grown to about 10-13 inch fish in 2009.  Please note the 2005 data (non-stocked year) shows very few 10-13 inch fish.  It appears that stocking fry works well in Little Boy Lake.

 

This chart show the length frequency of Northern Pike.  Please note in 2002, there were no northern greater than 25 inches.  The Protected Slot Limit (PSL) of 24-36" was implemented in 2003 and in 2005, 2006 and 2008, northern are being caught in the PSL range with 2008 showing marked improvement in northern fishery size.  It appears the northern Protected Slot Limit is working well.

 

This chart shows the length frequency of perch.