Wild: Determining Natal Origins of Juvenile Steelhead Using Otolith Chemical Analysis

"Wild: Determining Natal Origins of Juvenile Steelhead Using Otolith Chemical Analysis." Fisheries, 41(10), pp. 572–573

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This research is a collaborative effort between Central Michigan University (CMU) and Michigan Department of Natural Resources (DNR) and funded by the Great Lakes Fishery Trust. Field collections were made possible through cooperative efforts of Michigan and Wisconsin DNR agencies, with the assistance of a small army of undergraduate volunteers of CMU.

Additional information

Nicole M. Watson is currently nearing completion of her master's degree at Central Michigan University. Watson's research takes her to 40+ tributaries surrounding Lake Michigan twice a year, with sampling sites on tributaries of the St. Joseph, Kalamazoo, Manistee, Pere Marquette, and many other rivers in both peninsulas of Michigan and in Wisconsin. Her focus is on juvenile steelhead Oncorhynchus mykiss. She uses the unique chemical signature of their otolith to determine their natal origin. This research paves the way to determining the natal origins of adult steelhead collected in Lake Michigan, which provide insight to the lake population and aid in the conservation and management of this species. (Photo credit: Tom Watson).