DEVELOPMENT OF CONDITION AND LENGTH-CATEGORIZATION STANDARDS FOR SAUGEYE

Weight-length data for 32 (N = 3,371) saugeye (walleye Stizostedion vi treum x sauger Stizostedion canadense hybrids) populations from eight states were used to develop a standard weight (Ws) equation. We used t he regression-line-percentile technique, which provides a 75th-percent ile standard, to develop the equation. The proposed Ws equation is log 10Ws(g) = -5.692 + 3.266 log10TL(mm), and the English equivalent is lo g10Ws(lb) = - 3.760 + 3.266 log10TL(in). The saugeye Ws equation is va lid for fish greater-than-or-equal-to 170 mm. The proposed Ws equation was used to calculate relative weight (Wr) values for individual fish from each population to test for length-related biases. A significant relationship between total length and Wr was observed in 18 of the 32 populations. Ten populations had negative slopes while eight had posi tive slopes. There was no significant difference in the occurrence of positive and negative slopes (X2 = 0.22, P>0.50); therefore, no length -related biases were evident for the populations used in this study. B ased on percentages of world record length for saugeye, we recommend t he use of 23 cm (9 in), 35 cm (14 in), 46 cm (18 in), 56 cm (22 in), a nd 69 cm (27 in) as minimum stock, quality, preferred, memorable, and trophy lengths, respectively.