Recognition for Walleye Management in Virginia

The Department of Game and Inland Fisheries has received a National Award in recognition of their efforts to improve the management of walleye fisheries in Virginia. The press release contains more details.

Research has demonstrated the persistence of a unique strain of walleye in the upper New River. The Department has continued a hatchery-based restoration of the native stock. Candidate spawners were collected from spawning areas, and DNA from fin clips was assessed genetically. Walleye exhibiting genetic variants that characterize the presumptive native stock were spawned and young were reared at Virginia Department of Game and Inland Fisheries hatcheries.