TRENDS IN RELATIVE STOCK DENSITY INDEXES OF WALLEYE POPULATIONS IN WYOMING RESERVOIRS

We assessed the length structure of walleye Stizostedion vitreum popul ations over time in five high-elevation (>1340 m above mean sea level) reservoirs in Wyoming using relative stock density (RSD). Four popula tions showed moderate to large fluctuations in RSD values across years , while one population was relatively stable. Fluctuations in RSD valu es were associated with variability in annual recruitment. Incremental RSD values allowed identification and tracking of weak year classes t hrough time. Because of inconsistent annual recruitment, the utility o f RSD for assessing the rates of recruitment, growth, and mortality of walleye populations in large reservoirs is limited.