Beschreibung:
<jats:title>Abstract</jats:title><jats:p>Survival of stocked fish can be mediated by biotic factors such as size and species, predators, and prey, and abiotic influences such as temperature and habitat. Walleyes <jats:italic>Sander vitreus</jats:italic> are numerically among the most stocked fish in the USA, yet stocking success of this species is highly variable. We examined the effects of predation by largemouth bass <jats:italic>Micropterus salmoides</jats:italic> on walleyes across 77 stocking events in 10 Illinois impoundments. Predation mortality was assessed by examining diets of largemouth bass for up to 21 d post walleye stocking. Of 8,591 largemouth bass diets examined, 2.0% contained walleye, corresponding to 4.3% walleye mortality attributable to largemouth bass predation. Largemouth bass predation was greatest within 24 h of stocking, and no predation was observed after 14 d. Predation mortality and fall CPUE of walleyes were related to largemouth bass density; however, we found no relationship between predation mortality and fall CPUE of walleyes. Our results suggest that predation by largemouth bass, a widespread and abundant predator, has a negligible effect on walleye stocking success in Illinois impoundments.</jats:p><jats:p>Received September 12, 2011; accepted July 18, 2012</jats:p>