(Provided by IDNR)

The Indian DNR stocked another 25,000 walleye fingerlings in Kokomo Reservoir in May, marking the 20th year that walleyes have been released into the 484-acre Howard County impoundment.

The walleyes averaged 1.5 inches long and were produced at the Cikana State Fish Hatchery near Martinsville.

Walleyes are popular among Hoosier anglers and are stocked in Kokomo Reservoir to provide walleye fishing opportunities in central Indiana.

Sampling by DNR fisheries biologists has shown that walleye survival is good at Kokomo Reservoir.

Last fall, biologists captured 46 walleyes during three hours of nighttime electrofishing. Sixteen walleyes were from the 2015 stocking, and 23 walleyes were from the 2014 stocking. Seven older walleyes up to 20 inches long also were captured.

For stockings to be deemed successful, electrofishing catch rates must exceed seven per hour for newly stocked fingerlings and four per hour of 1-year-old walleyes.

Although the catch rate of newly stocked walleyes at Kokomo was below standard last year, the catch rate of 1-year-old walleyes was double the standard.

"We keep regular tabs on walleye stockings to make sure they meet our success criteria," said Tyler Delauder, assistant DNR biologist. "Although Kokomo is not one of our best walleye lakes, it is good enough to continue stocking."

Delauder says walleyes can be found throughout the reservoir but tend to congregate more in areas with rock habitat.

Delauder also reminds anglers that any walleye taken from Kokomo Reservoir and most other public waters north of State Road 26 must be at least 16 inches long. The daily bag limit is six walleyes.

For more information on the Kokomo Reservoir walleye stocking program, anglers can contact Delauder at tdelauder@dnr.IN.gov or biologist Jed Pearson at jpearson@dnr.IN.gov.