Otolith microchemistry shows natal philopatry of walleye in western Lake Erie

Natal philopatry is important to the structure of fish populations because it can lead to local adaptations among component stocks of a mixed population, reducing the risk of recruitment failure. By contrast, straying between component stocks may bolster declining populations or allow for colonization of new habitat. To examine rates of natal philopatry and straying among western Lake Erie walleye (Sander vitreus) stocks, we used the concentration of strontium Sr] in otolith cores to determine the natal origin of adults captured at three major spawning sites: the Sandusky (n = 62) and Maumee (n = 55) rivers and the Ohio reef complex (n = 50) during the 2012–2013 spawning seasons. Mean otolith core Sr] was consistently and significantly higher for individuals captured in the Sandusky River than for those captured in the Maumee River or Ohio reef complex. Although logistic regression indicates that no individuals with a Maumee River or Ohio reef complex origin were captured in the Sandusky River, quadratic discriminant analysis suggests low rates of straying of fish between the Maumee and Sandusky rivers. Our results suggest little straying and high rates of natal philopatry in the Sandusky River walleye stock. Similar rates of natal philopatry may also exist across western Lake Erie walleye stocks, demonstrating a need for stock-specific management.