Predictions for Rainy are rosy. Its walleye year-class strength increased throughout the 1980s, climbed to a new high in 1991, then skyrocketed in 1994 and 95. The 94 and 95 classes could send catch rates soaring in coming years. Eibler says his most recent data shows that the 1996 and 97 year classes are also above average. The odds are that we should have a below-average year class by now, but it s just not happening, he says.
Biologists estimate that a strong year class comes along about every five years or so.
The large year classes in 1994 and 95 may be due to other factors such as good environmental conditions for spawning and young survival. Rainy Lake walleyes reproduce abundantly when springtime water levels rise, as they often did during the 1990s. According to DNR research biologist Paul Radomski, high water in May allows walleyes to spawn on silt-free rock rubble shoals. That s ideal habitat for walleye eggs, he says. Unfortunately, spring water levels on Rainy are no longer so favorable for walleye spawning.