A comprehensive evaluation and comparison of the food webs of lakes Michigan and Huron using predator diets and stable isotopes

Grant: # 1783

Grant Amount: $337,223.45

Board Decision Year: 2018

Michigan State University - Department of Fisheries and Wildlife (East Lansing)

Department of Fisheries and Wildlife

Roth, Brian M. ([email protected]) 517-353-7854

2018 Ecosystem Health and Sustainable Fish Populations: Ecological and Biological Research to Inform Management - Ecological and biological fisheries research to inform management

Project Summary

Pelagic prey abundances in lakes Michigan and Huron are declining. Models used to quantify predator-prey balance and inform predator stocking decisions use diet data that are outdated or limited in spatiotemporal scope. We propose to conduct a comprehensive diet and stable isotope study on lakes Huron and Michigan to update and expand the application and scope of diet data. Results from this study will inform fisheries management decisions and stocking policies in both lakes.