Research efforts are being made from the DNR's Beckley office to learn more about this strain of walleye. Fisheries personnel are attempting to collect enough adult walleyes from the New River to serve as brood stock, with the objective being that of raising this strain. In theory, this strain of fish, since it evolved in a river environment, may be better suited to be stocked in this setting. Stockings could add to the density of walleyes in areas with wild fish, or serve as the seed for what will someday be self-sustaining populations.

If the program is successful, New River strain walleyes could be stocked in not only the New River, but the Gauley and Kanawha rivers as well.

On a similar note, biologists in the northern portion of the state feel walleyes from the upper Ohio River basin might be either a separate strain of walleye, or even the same strain as the New River. Only further research will determine how the upper Ohio strain situation works out.

As you can see, a lot goes on behind the scenes in support of healthy fisheries, such as the ones present in some of the state's waters.

Here's a look at some of the better walleye options for the year to come.

OHIO RIVER
The Ohio River is one of the state's greatest fishing resources. The waterway supports a varied fish population, walleyes and saugers included. Both of these closely related species occur naturally in the Ohio.

River walleye (and sauger) numbers in major rivers like the Ohio are directly related to the strength of recent year-classes, which in turn are dependent on the spawning conditions. Springtime high-water events, which occur on a semi-regular basis, provide poor or nonexistent year- classes. As a result, frequently there are holes in the fishery where year-classes are missing. Conditions have been poor during recent years, thus the population cycle may be on the low end.

According to fisheries biologist Jim Hederick, traditionally, the upper portion of the Ohio tends to more of a numbers game for walleyes and saugers. Fishing can be quite good -- especially in the early spring and late fall when fish are more concentrated -- but lunker-sized fish are rare. Hederick also notes the best habitat for walleyes tends to be in the upper portion of the river.

Angling attention usually is directed to tailrace areas of the locks and dams. The best walleye and sauger fishing occurs near the New Cumberland, Pike Island and Hannibal dams. Though saugers can be found farther downriver, walleyes aren't as common. Good shore-fishing opportunities can be found below these dams on both sides of the river, as a reciprocal agreement between Ohio and West Virginia allows licensed resident anglers from either state to fish both shores of this border water.

Boating anglers are not allowed in the restricted area below the dams. Concentrations of fish available to boating anglers can be found in front of lock chamber mouths, as well as the mouths of feeder rivers and creeks.

Boat access along the upper portion of the Ohio can be found at Chester and New Cumberland (Hancock County), Weirton and Wellsburg (Brooke County), Wheeling (Ohio County), Fish Creek and Moundsville (Marshall County).

MONONGAHELA RIVER
Whereas the Ohio tends to provide numbers of smaller walleyes, it is the polar opposite on the Monongahela River, where biologists regularly turn up good-sized (but fewer) walleyes.

"When we sample the Mon, we always collect a few nice walleyes," Jim Hederick noted. "Below the dam in Morgantown we find walleyes up to 8 pounds. We usually find a few in the 6-pound range as well."