Effect of Electroshock Voltage and Wave Form on Mortality of Incubating Walleye Eggs

Abstract

Commonly used electrofishing wave forms and voltages were tested to determine if they could be used to kill walleye eggs as part of walleye-control projects. Eggs were erposed to Pulsed DC (direct current), AC (alternating current), or Smooth DC (SDC) current from an electroshocker at outputs of 0.98, 2 6, or 5.9 v/cm, respectively, for 10 seconds. Different batches of eggs were erposed once to each of the treatments on days 1 -7 post-fertilization. Eggs exposed to SDC were affected by electroshock for the first 2-3 days post- fertilization. During this perilld, 65-86 percent of the exposed eggs died compared to 42.6 percent of the controls.