Using Genomics to Improve Stock Structure Resolution and Assess Recruitment Dynamics of Lake Whitefish in Lake Michigan

Grant: # 1791

Grant Amount: $33,982.52

Board Decision Year: 2018

Wesley Larson - USGS Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point (Stevens Point)

USGS Wisconsin Cooperative Fishery Research Unit, College of Natural Resources, UW-Stevens Point

Larson, Wesley ([email protected]) 715-346-3150

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

Project Summary

Lake whitefish in Lake Michigan have experienced substantial fluctuations in recruitment and abundance over the last decade and much of this variation appears to be asynchronous across stocks. Genetics represents a powerful tool for stock identification that could facilitate investigation of recruitment dynamics and stock-specific harvest. However, currently available genetic markers are not powerful enough to accurately delineate stocks. Our goal is to use genomic techniques to improve resolution of stock structure in lake whitefish.